The British Tinnitus Association (BTA) is the only UK charity solely dedicated to supporting those suffering with tinnitus.  Thanks to donations over the past three years they have been able to fund research at University College London's (UCL) Ear Institute which has lead to a greater understanding of tinnitus.  However, a further £127,223 needs to be raised as part of its "Tackling Tinnitus" campaign to enable it to carry out further research for a potential treatment.

As a result of the research carried out to date we now know the following;

- Tinnitus is associated with changes in the response properties of nerve cells in the first stages of the auditory system and the brain reacts in an abnormal way sending signals from the auditory nerve and generating the impression of noise from silence.

- Tinnitus patients with normal hearing do in fact have hidden hearing loss, manifesting itself as a reduced signal in the auditory nerve even though the hearing thresholds are normal.  The brain compensates for this reduced input and hearing loss at the first processing stages of the auditory pathway.

- Hearing loss can lead to tinnitus.

- There is no single treatment yet for all cases of tinnitus and the effects of hearing aids and sound treatments are often limited.



It is hoped that if the extra money can be raised the research can continue concentrating on the following;

- Investigate how tinnitus is triggered and how it manifests itself in the brain in order to back up how a specific mechanism gives rise to the aberrant nerve cell activity that underlines the tinnitus sensation.

- Test the effects of new chemical compounds upon tinnitus with the ultimate aim of the development of the tinnitus pill.

- Research different levels of tinnitus and develop and test treatment approaches.

- Develop a computer simulation showing why tinnitus does not always correlate with hearing loss and why tinnitus may sound different in each individual.


The research will use a combined approach that incorporates animal models of tinnitus, computer models of tinnitus, investigations in tinnitus patients and clinical studies.

The medical profession currently offers management of tinnitus but not a cure.  For more than 30 years supporters of BTA have raised funds medical research that will lead to a cure for tinnitus.

For more information about the BTA and the "Tackling Tinnitus" campaign please click here. To donate to the BTA please click here.

At Blake Lapthorn we have a specialised team dealing with claims for Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Tinnitus.  We are only to aware of the effects of tinnitus on our clients.  Both we and, not doubt our clients who suffer from tinnitus, support the BTS and all that they do.


For further information please contact Karen Hayden, a Legal Executive in Blake Lapthorn's Personal Injury Team on 023 8085 7344 or email her at karen.hayden@bllaw.co.uk.