Tinnitus is a condition, in which persons experience noises and ringing in the ears or head, when no actual physical noise is present. Tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom usually of a fault in the auditory or hearing system which includes the ears and the brain. The word ‘tinnitus’ is Latin in origin and means ‘tinkling or ringing like a bell’.
Symptoms and characteristics:
Tinnitus symptoms can range from mild through to severe. The range of different sounds heard that are most commonly associated with tinnitus include:
- ringing
- buzzing
- whistling
- roaring and
- humming.
Tinnitus can be debilitating and may affect a persons capacity to sleep, work or cope with everyday activities. As a result, persons with tinnitus may also experience:
- distress which can be overwhelming
- depression and anxiety or mood fluctuations
- tension, irritability or frustration
- difficulty concentrating.
For more information on some of these symptoms and characteristics, follow these links:
Workplace adjustments and solutions:
In the workplace there are various factors that would assist persons with tinnitus to better manage their symptoms. These include changes to work tasks and the environment, such as:
- if working within a noisy work environment, consideration given to noise suppression or isolation techniques to reduce exposure
- wearing of hearing protection such as ear muffs or plugs to reduce exposure to noise
- use of white noise machines to assist with blocking out tinnitus
- consider the use of specialised equipment such as telephone amplification, visual fire or alert systems, or assistive listening devices which can help in group situations such as training rooms, staff rooms or at conferences
- consider workload management techniques to reduce stress levels as evidence suggests stress can exacerbate tinnitus
- if experiencing balance disturbances or unsteadiness as well as tinnitus, consideration will need to be given to safety when working with machinery or when working at heights such as on ladders or scaffolding
- if experiencing hearing loss as well as tinnitus, modifying workstation set up to ensure persons are able to work facing colleagues or entry ways will allow for the use of visual cues to compensate for loss of hearing
- when discussing task requirements for the day or other important information, ensure it is done in a quiet environment to maximise a persons capacity to hear the information
- look directly at the person when communicating to enable them to use a range of cues to overcome tinnitus hearing loss, such as facial expressions, body language or lip reading.
Employers of people with disability may be eligible for free workplace assessments and modifications through the Employment Assistance Fund. The Employment Assistance Fund provides assistance to employers of persons with a disability and mental health condition by providing financial assistance to purchase a range of work related modifications and services. More information on the Employment Assistance Fund is available through this link:
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References:
Australian Tinnitus Association 1999, What is Tinnitus?, Australian Tinnitus Association (NSW) Inc., Sydney, viewed 14 November 2011, http://www.tinnitus.asn.au/.
Better Health Channel 2011, Tinnitus explained, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 14 November 2011, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Tinnitus_explained?Open.
MDA Internet 1991—2010, Tinnitus, Reed Group Ltd, Colorado, viewed 14 November 2011, http://www.mdguidelines.com/.