Case Studies
Read success stories from the tinnitus community
Tinnitus effects people in different ways, here we will share some success stories from people who are living with tinnitus and show how coming to Tinnitus UK for support has helped them in their journey.
If you are living with tinnitus and need support, our helpline is available to give you the help you need: 0800 018 0527
You can also browse our website for the information you need.
Chris’s Story (age 50)
Between April 2024 and May 2025, I developed severe and life-altering tinnitus resulting in my life being pretty much put on hold, with some very dark days in-between. It really is one of the loneliest places on the planet when tinnitus first kicks in.
Tinnitus UK was an invaluable source of help. I scoured their website for hours and rang their helpline a few times for a friendly person to talk to who understood me. Tinnitus UK also found me a befriender, Rob, who was an amazing help. Having a positive mentor offering genuine reassurance on the end of the phone meant so much.
My life is so much better now, I’m back to a ‘new normal’ and look forward to the future. Things I find enjoyable are no longer at the mercy of this condition.
I would like to thank the people at Tinnitus UK for their help and assistance over the last few years. I am proud to be a Tinnitus UK donor and I hope my story provides some light for somebody in a dark place.
I have (I think) always had tinnitus. My earliest memory is of my 4th birthday party. A balloon popped and I went to my mum and said, “Mummy, make the ringing stop.” But she didn’t understand. I was 14 before I realised, I might be ‘different’. At a sleepover, I asked my friends, “Can’t you hear that constant ringing?” – and they just looked at me with puzzled faces. I started to notice that I was having trouble hearing other people, when my friends weren’t. I wondered why I was the only one this seemed to be happening to. It was when I was at university that my tinnitus got much worse. Like most students, my life was a cycle of cheap food, late nights and nightclubbing. I would wake up the next morning not able to hear anything. After a while, it was so bad I became effectively housebound, not wanting to go anywhere or do anything in case the noise got louder again.
I went to the GP. He said, “Oh yeah, I have that. There’s nothing you can do.” I insisted on being referred to the ENT department – and had to pay £600 (on a student income!) for a private MRI scan to avoid a 2-year waiting list. They said, “There’s nothing you can do. You’ll just have to learn to live with it.” As most people do, I began Googling. It’s a Wild West. There’s a lot of people sharing their own experiences, things that have worked for them. But there’s also so much nonsense out there – and lots of people trying to make a quick profit by selling ‘cures’
The place where I finally found hope – and real solutions – was Tinnitus UK. They offered rational, logical advice and guides to living better with my tinnitus. Through them, I found ways to cope, take control of my life once more. I found I was part of a community of caring people who understood me. And I found a new mission. I wanted to speak out – to be a part of the community supporting someone else like me. So, I started a video diary about my journey – and have found that in sharing my experience (and promoting Tinnitus UK) I have a huge new positive in my life. I have also changed careers. I finished my degree – but then decided to re-train as a Hearing Care Assistant, which is the role I have today, working alongside a wonderful audiologist. Today, I am able to help patients with their own tinnitus – and I can say to them, “Yes, there are things you can do. And I can help you.” Tinnitus UK is our lifeline – and we are theirs. Tinnitus UK, this wonderful charity, gave me the life I have today.