An international online survey during August and September 2011 of over 300 people with tinnitus revealed two thirds also suffered with hearing loss.

It was found that while only a fifth experienced tinnitus for less than two years, almost one-in-three had lived with the condition for more than 10 years. Researchers estimate that at least 10 – 15 per cent of the world’s population suffer from some form of tinnitus.

There are several different factors known as possible causes of short or long-term tinnitus, including middle ear infection, use of prescription drugs, and exposure to loud noise as a sign of or related to noise induced hearing loss. Symptoms of tinnitus can be age-related, and can also precede or coincide with the development of hearing problems leading to eventual severe industrial deafness.

Although not fully understood, medical researchers believe that hearing damage occurs when the sensory cells of the inner ear are disturbed by over-stimulation. Repeated exposure to excessive sound levels can lead to a temporary weakening of the delicate hair cells at first, but if the exposure continues, or if the ear is not given enough time to recover, the hearing damage almost inevitably becomes permanent and irreversible.

Up to 30 per cent of the ear’s 15,000 hair cells will be destroyed before an individual becomes aware of reduced ability to hear, and the development of tinnitus can be a first sign that damage has occurred.

Most people will experience short term loss of hearing or interference noises in the ears, at some point in their lives, especially after exposure to loud noise, but nearly 5 million people in the UK live daily with permanent and constant hearing of tinnitus sounds.

The hearing of “ringing”, “whistling” or “rushing” sounds in the ear has always been a cause of confusion. According to the survey, just over 10 per cent of respondents claimed they “did not know if they had a hearing loss”, and over a fifth denied any impairment at all. This may be because tinnitus can be experienced differently, from a hardly imperceptible hiss to a loud whistling or whooshing sound, in one or both ears.

The study also showed that only a half of those who admitted having a hearing loss use hearing aids, which they believe also helps with managing their tinnitus.