Tinnitus in 2025: Why It’s on the Rise – and What You Can Do About It

Tinnitus has always been a familiar concern in audiology, but in 2025 it has become one of the most searched-for hearing health topics across the UK.

More people than ever are Googling phrases like “ringing in ears won’t stop”, “buzzing at night”, or “how to treat tinnitus naturally”. With an estimated 7.1 million adults in the UK experiencing tinnitus symptoms, awareness is finally catching up with reality.

This is a welcome shift. While tinnitus is rarely a medical emergency, it is deeply frustrating and in some cases debilitating. The good news is that there are evidence-based options that can reduce its impact. But knowing where to start – and which claims to trust – is more important than ever.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing a sound in the absence of any external source. It’s often described as a ringing, buzzing, hissing, whooshing, or humming noise. For some people, it comes and goes. For others, it is constant and intrusive.

It’s not a disease, but a symptom of an underlying issue, most commonly hearing loss – whether age-related, noise-induced, or connected to other auditory damage. But tinnitus can also result from:

• Ear infections or blockages
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
• Exposure to loud noise
• Certain medications
• Stress and anxiety
• Head or neck injuries

Emerging research is also shedding light on “hidden hearing loss” – damage to the connections between the inner ear and brain that may not be picked up in standard hearing tests. This might explain why some people with clinically normal results still experience persistent tinnitus.

Why is it on the Rise?

We are seeing a marked increase in tinnitus across all age groups, but especially in people under 40. Several trends are driving this:

• Prolonged headphone use at high volumes is now a leading cause of early-onset hearing damage.
• Chronic stress is more prevalent, and while stress doesn’t directly cause tinnitus, it is a well-known trigger.
• Long NHS waiting times have led more people to seek answers online, where they encounter a wide range of mixed – and often inaccurate – advice.
• Improved public awareness means people are recognising symptoms and searching for help earlier than before.

The British Tinnitus Association recently reported a 15% increase in helpline enquiries from adults under 35 in the past 12 months alone.

How We Help at Byrom Audiology

At Byrom Audiology, we take a layered and personalised approach. Tinnitus affects everyone differently, so a tailored plan works best. Here’s how we start:

1. Comprehensive Hearing Assessment

Tinnitus is strongly associated with even subtle levels of hearing loss. Addressing any deficits in hearing often reduces tinnitus or makes it more manageable.

Book a hearing assessment here: https://www.peterbyrom.co.uk/hearing-assessments

2. Sound Therapy

This involves the use of controlled background sound to mask or soften the tinnitus. The aim isn’t to drown it out, but to reduce the contrast between the tinnitus and silence, so the brain pays less attention to it.

Types of sound therapy include:

• White noise or pink noise played through speakers or apps
• Environmental sounds (rainfall, birdsong, ocean waves)
• Notched music therapy, tailored to your tinnitus frequency
• Integrated therapy via hearing aids that combine amplification with gentle background sounds

More information on our tinnitus services: https://www.peterbyrom.co.uk/tinnitus

3. Education and Reassurance

Tinnitus can feel isolating. Many patients find relief simply by learning that their symptoms are common, and that they are not alone. We explain what tinnitus is, what it is not, and how the brain responds to it. This knowledge is empowering – and can reduce the emotional burden significantly.

4. Stress and Sleep Support

Tinnitus often gets louder or more intrusive during times of stress or poor sleep. We support patients with stress-reduction strategies, sleep hygiene techniques, and referrals for CBT where appropriate. In some cases, even small changes – like avoiding caffeine late in the day – can help.

Common Myths About Tinnitus

Let’s address a few frequent misconceptions we hear in clinic:

“There’s nothing you can do.”

False. While tinnitus can’t always be cured, it can almost always be managed – and for many, the improvement is life-changing.

“Only older people get tinnitus.”

Not true. We now regularly see patients in their 20s and 30s affected by tinnitus, particularly those who use headphones often or work in loud environments.

“Tinnitus means I’m going deaf.”

Tinnitus and hearing loss are linked, but one doesn’t automatically lead to the other. A hearing check will help identify what’s going on.

“You just have to learn to live with it.”

Yes – but with the right support, it’s entirely possible to live with tinnitus comfortably and without fear.

Lenire Therapy at Byrom Audiology

Lenire Therapy is a non-invasive, at-home medical treatment designed to help alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus. Using a combination of gentle electrical pulses to the tongue and carefully calibrated sound tones delivered through Bluetooth headphones, Lenire works to retrain the brain’s response to tinnitus, aiming to reduce its intensity and impact on daily life. The treatment is tailored to your individual tinnitus profile and carried out under the supervision of our expert team at Byrom Audiology. As a certified Lenire provider – and the only one between Scotland and Birmingham – we offer trusted, evidence-based support to guide you through the process. In clinical trials, 86% of users experienced improvement, with 83% saying they’d recommend it to others. If you’re looking for a new way to manage tinnitus, we’re here to help.

What About Hearing Aids?

Today’s hearing aids are designed to support tinnitus as well as hearing loss. Some benefits include:

• Amplifying environmental sound, helping to mask internal noise
• Reducing the contrast between tinnitus and silence
• Providing soothing sounds via integrated sound enrichment programmes
• Using AI to adapt to your environment and comfort levels

We will help you choose a hearing aid that fits your hearing profile and your lifestyle.

When to Seek Help

You should get checked if:

• Your tinnitus came on suddenly
• You hear it in only one ear
• It’s accompanied by hearing loss, dizziness, or pain
• It’s affecting your sleep, mood, or quality of life

Even if your symptoms are mild, early support leads to better outcomes.

You Don’t Have to Manage It Alone

If you’ve been putting off getting help for tinnitus, now is the time. Our team will listen, explain, and guide you towards a plan that works for you. You’re not imagining it. And you’re not on your own.

To speak with us or book an appointment:

Byrom Audiology, Sheffield

Call: 0114 419 1800

Email: support-team@peterbyrom.co.uk

Website: https://www.peterbyrom.co.uk