Tinnitus experienced for more than five minutes affects nearly 5 million adults or 10 per cent of the UK population.

More commonly than is generally realised, the condition afflicts just under a further two and half million or 5 per cent who “hear” moderate to acute whistling, ringing or rushing sounds.

Nearly quarter of a million people, and an estimated one in every three of the over 65s, suffer severe impairment and hearing loss which can seriously affect their ability to lead a normal life.

Tinnitus can be a short term or permanent condition, with chronic bouts resulting in severe headaches, migraines, insomnia, and anxiety.

While tinnitus can be related to an accompanying hearing damage to the 17,000 sensitive hairs in the inner ear from exposure to excessive workplace noise and develop into permanent industrial deafness, the symptoms are mostly associated with ‘compensatory’ temporary noise induced hearing loss.

Compensatory activity can occur as the brain’s reaction to changes in our sound environment, such as exposure to sudden noise exposure or silence, and hearing loss, as a natural part of the ageing process.

Even in mild cases of persistent tinnitus, dependence on a conditioned response is set up by the tinnitus sound as a result of anxiety and stress. In other words, it is the reaction to tinnitus which creates distress, not the tinnitus itself.

The degree to which unpleasant feelings arise and increased tension is experienced, controls the severity of the tinnitus. Consequently, the loudness and quality of the sound heard is irrelevant.

The perceived harmful qualities are enhanced by beliefs and negative ideas about tinnitus, not any physical changes that may or may not have taken place. It is the very powerful human emotions, which are survival mechanisms of a conditioned reflex activity, which can greatly increase attention on the tinnitus.

As result, annoyance and frustration with tinnitus may drive sufferers to seek comfort from stimulants like coffee, tea, alcohol or cigarettes, and even chocolate, which may actually heighten awareness of the symptoms of tinnitus regardless of the type of noises heard.

When a tinnitus sufferer overcomes the persistent dwelling on negative feelings and thoughts, the condition may see signs of improvement.