A chain of audiologists and opticians has launched a tinnitus service to help tackle the growth of the condition.

Tinnitus is defined as hearing a sound which does not have an external source. It could be ringing, buzzing, whooshing, humming or even a tune.

Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists, which has branches in Woking and Guildford among others, has introduced the service as the latest data from Tinnitus UK shows cases have increased by 50 per cent in 15 years.

It offers a free 15-minute tinnitus hearing health check, and anyone diagnosed with the condition will be invited to an in-depth 75-minute personalised examination to determine the extent and cause of the tinnitus, whether it is temporary or permanent, constant or intermittent, and to provide appropriate advice.

A digital consultation with a Bayfields audiologist specialising in tinnitus is also included, to discuss ways to live with and manage the condition.

Sarah Griffiths, a tinnitus specialist audiologist at Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists, said: “We have been seeing a real increase in clients who are suffering with the effects of tinnitus in recent years, and it’s affecting people of all ages. Modern life and the increased use of technology such as headphones, coupled with a faster paced lifestyle and higher stress levels, can all play a role in the development of tinnitus.

“Sometimes tinnitus can be treated through methods such as ear wax removal or through the use of a hearing aid. However, often it’s a case of managing the condition to minimise the impact it has on the patient’s daily life and their mental health and wellbeing.

“We’re passionate about helping the increasing number of tinnitus sufferers and would urge anyone who has noticed symptoms to get checked out to receive help and support, rather than suffering in silence. We’re confident this new service will provide just that.”

People with tinnitus are not helped by a bewildering array of treatment options. Tinnitus UK has examined 60 of them, and recommends only one, cognitive behavioural therapy.

This method involves talking through the problem with an expert, with the aim of changing the person’s pattern of behaviour and their thinking about tinnitus to reduce their distress and the intrusiveness of the noise.

Tinnitus UK has identified eight more ways of dealing with tinnitus it feels are worth a patient discussing with their GP.

One is tinnitus retraining therapy, in which a constant hissing sound - commonly known as white noise - is introduced via a small device similar to a hearing aid which sits in the outer ear.

The noise is set at a volume equal to that of the tinnitus, so the brain has two sounds to focus on rather than one. The aim is to gradually make the brain tune in more to the new sound, which reduces the volume of the tinnitus, with the ultimate goal that the device is no longer required.

One patient, Paul, tried tinnitus retraining therapy in 1997. Repeated exposure to loud concerts, with no or inadequate ear protection, from 1984 eventually created permanent tinnitus in one ear that was too loud to tolerate.

Paul said: “One day I was supposed to do the scoring at a cricket match, but I couldn’t. The tinnitus just made me cry.

“I saw my GP and was referred to a hospital audiologist who recommended tinnitus retraining therapy. She said the process would take two years to show results but at that point I was willing to try anything.

“Work were very sympathetic. They let me come back when I felt ready and until my proper white noise device arrived they let me use my dad’s home-made one - the hiss from the headphones of a personal stereo that wasn’t playing a cassette!

“Two years seems a long time to begin with, but after a fortnight I got used to putting the device in my ear and it became as routine as putting on my glasses.

“One day when I had a day off work, about three months short of the two years, it got to around 2pm before I realised I had forgotten to put it in. I was no longer noticing the tinnitus, so its volume must have reduced. So tinnitus retraining therapy worked for me.”

Paul did not undergo cognitive behavioural therapy but acknowledged that talking about tinnitus also helped.

He said: “When I got it permanently in 1988 I went into denial. It was really quiet then, but if I heard it in the dead of night I became angry and frustrated because I was trying to convince myself it wasn’t there. I felt the same if it was on the television or radio, or in the papers.

“Since talking to the audiologist I can think about it and discuss it without negativity. It’s been in my ear for 36 years and it’s part of me now.

“But I always wear proper foam earplugs if I go to a concert now. I also think there should be legal volume limits for concerts, nightclubs and headphones. People shouldn’t have to risk their hearing and mental health just to enjoy music.”

Tinnitus UK said tinnitus varies. It can be heard in one or both ears, or in the middle of the head. One in three people will get tinnitus at some point and one in seven has tinnitus that stays forever. Even young children can get it.

The charity explained: “Tinnitus is not a disease or illness. Tinnitus is brain activity that has got out of normal balance. 

“A change in the ear, such as an ear infection, a cold, or wax blocking the ear might start the tinnitus. Loud noise over a long time, such as power tools, live music concerts, or noisy machinery, can cause tinnitus. 

“It can be started by a stressful live event. When the event is over, the tinnitus may stop.”

It advised talking to a GP, who may refer patients to an ear, nose and throat specialist or a tinnitus clinic. Hearing therapists and psychologists could also help.

The charity added: “The most important thing is to keep doing the things you enjoy. You may do things differently, such as having background music on when you are reading. 

“Most people find that their tinnitus gets much better over time. When it first starts it can be frightening, but you will notice it less and less.”

Tinnitus UK recommends people avoid noisy places, or wear ear protectors if they want or have to enter them.

It suggests making a conscious effort to relax in order to reduce stress and sleep well.

It said: “An easy way to relax is to find a quiet place and take a few slow, deep breaths. Really notice how your breath enters your body, then leaves it. Keep breathing like this until you feel calm. 

“A lot of people find that background sound helps them - a radio, music, or natural sounds like birdsong or a river. 

“Meditation and mindfulness can help you find peace and quiet. You will find the things that help you most.”   

Tinnitus UK has a support team available Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. Call 0800 018 0527, text 07537 416841 or email [email protected]