Tinnitus Week report exposes the critical gaps in UK tinnitus care

To mark the start of Tinnitus Week today we’re hoping to be a catalyst for change by publishing our comprehensive new report: Ringing the Alarm: The tinnitus care crisis.
The report reveals alarming shortcomings in tinnitus care and professional training within the NHS and private audiology sectors. With 8 million people in the UK projected to experience tinnitus by the end of 2025, our report highlights an urgent need to address this growing public health issue.

Key Findings:

1. Excessive waiting times: NHS patients face waits of up to three years for ENT appointments and over 12 months for hearing aid assistance and psychological therapies. These delays severely impact mental health and quality of life.
2. Low priority in the private sector: 36% of private audiologists consider tinnitus care a low priority, with some of the private sector putting profits ahead of patients.
3. Non-compliance with NICE Guidelines: Many audiology professionals deviate from established standards, with some offering unaccredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for tinnitus management.
4. Insufficient education and training: UK audiology graduates lack clinical experience in tinnitus care, leaving them ill-equipped to address patients’ needs effectively.

Calls to Action:

Tinnitus UK is urging healthcare providers, educators, and policymakers to implement the following solutions:

• Full adherence to NICE guidelines across NHS and private clinics.
• Mandatory tinnitus-specific training in university audiology programmes.
• Accredited continuing professional development (CPD) for all hearing care professionals.
• Wider adoption of Tinnitus UK’s free resources by healthcare practitioners.

Sonja Jones, Clinical Audiologist and lead author of the report, said:
“The report highlights an urgent need for change. Prolonged delays for diagnosis and treatment are leaving millions of patients without the support they need, exacerbating mental health issues and straining healthcare services.”

Alex Brooks-Johnson, CEO of Tinnitus UK, added:
“An estimated 8 million people will be affected by tinnitus in the UK by the end of 2025. Tinnitus UK is calling on the UK’s hearing healthcare sector to collaborate to elevate tinnitus care so we can help to alleviate patient distress and reduce escalating healthcare costs.”

Failure to address the disparities in tinnitus care across the UK’s hearing health sector risks exacerbating patient distress, overburdening healthcare systems, and perpetuating health inequalities for millions of people across the UK.

Please complete the form below to receive your copy of the report