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Jan's story

I developed chronic tinnitus in both ears just over two years ago. I have a constant, high-pitched 'transmitter' sound, and an occasional deep, heart-beat noise. I was concerned at first, as being only 27, I thought I was too young to get it.

I'd always had some noise in my ears - even as a child I remember likening some of the sounds to "soldiers marching upstairs", but they appeared rarely and never lasted very long. Now they show no signs of going away.

I made an appointment with an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist on the NHS. I was put on a 57 weeks (or more) waiting list!

Eventually I was seen by an NHS specialist, referred for hearing tests and an MRI, and diagnosed with 'Meniéres' disease (due to spells of vertigo thought to be related to the tinnitus). I have also suffered low-level hearing loss, which the NHS specialist is keeping an eye on. It's not bad enough for a hearing aid just yet though.

The hearing loss is what affects my work the most. I struggle to hear people speak in meetings. If there is any background noise I have to be quite close to someone to hear them properly. Also, when I am under stress, which in my line of work is fairly regularly, my tinnitus gets worse.

I looked into reiki, hypnosis and other alternative therapies to help manage it, but found all options to be very expensive.

The tinnitus itself is something I’ve now accepted. Now it only bothers me when I’m stressed. I affectionately call it 'the hamster in my head' and try not to give it too much thought.