A survey of adults with tinnitus reveals that the condition significantly impacts employment and workplace well-being. Tinnitus is a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound that people hear when no external sound is present, estimated to affect about 15% of people.
Researchers surveyed 449 adults with tinnitus about how the disorder affected them on the job. Participants had an average age of 54. About 7% said tinnitus had forced them to leave employment altogether, and another 11% said it led them to reduce their working hours. In total, approximately one in five participants reported that tinnitus had harmed their careers. Tinnitus caused workplace challenges including trouble concentrating, reduced productivity, and difficulty communicating.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention
However, there is hope for limiting tinnitus’ impact on work life. Of those surveyed, 200 completed an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy course for coping with tinnitus. The program taught coping mechanisms for dealing with the condition. After completing the program, significantly fewer participants said they needed to work reduced hours, and they also had less distress.
Lead researcher Eldré Beukes, an assistant professor of audiology at Anglia Ruskin University in England, stated: “For some individuals, tinnitus is far more than a persistent sound. It can be a barrier to maintaining stable employment and workplace well-being.”
Workplace Recommendations
Beukes emphasized that workplaces should recognize tinnitus as a condition that can affect productivity and may require reasonable adjustments. She recommended policies supporting flexible work patterns and access to appropriate support, noting that results are preliminary but offer promising evidence that targeted interventions may help people stay effective and engaged in their jobs. “Offering timely support may also reduce the personal costs and the broader financial impact on the economy that is associated with reduced work capacity,” Beukes noted.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://us.headtopics.com/news/tinnitus-harms-1-in-5-careers-survey-finds-79686279