The Lack of Tinnitus Treatment in the Elderly in the Developing World Impacts on Their Life

Older adults tend to fall into the category which requires tinnitus treatment. The case of Nigeria has been used as a template for the situation in developing and middle income communities. However the principles are also applicable in the developed world.

Many older Nigerians continue to suffer from tinnitus which is not treated. Ironically the symptoms are associated with otherwise treatable conditions such as rhinosinusitis, otitis media and hypertension as well as head injuries. Research was published in the October 2010 issue of "Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery". It seemed to confirm this trend.

• The transnational disorder: It has been estimated that nearly 36 million Americans suffer from some form of tinnitus. Nigeria has a prevalence level of anywhere between 10.1% and 33%. Of that figure only between 3% and 4% ever consult a doctor. Traditional roles and mistrust complement costs to prevent people from accessing the tinnitus treatment which they require. Consequently the condition has continued to be an important factor in the prevalence of morbidity in the elderly sections of the population.


• Finding out the facts: The research concentrated on the use of interviews with 1302 people aged 65 years and over. Other factors such as sex, economic status and residence were not directly linked to the incidence of the condition. The younger adults between 65-69 years had a prevalence level of 6.5% while the older adults of 80-100 years had a prevalence level of 41.9%. There were slight indicators that poor education and socio-economic deprivation increased prevalence. Akeem Olawale Lasisi was the study author and felt that the research might help developing countries to plan effectively for their communities.


• Limited research: The high prevalence rates and their consequences do not necessarily mean that this condition will receive the attention it deserves. It is very difficult to get tinnitus treatment in Sub-Saharan African communities because the access to health facilities is very poor. Donor agencies tend to offer large scale funding for generic health causes and even this money is wasted through corruption. This means that etiologically treatable conditions become chronic. The study paid particular attention to subjective tinnitus where recurrent rhinosinusitis could impair the function of the Eustachian tube. Many patients experienced hypoperfusion of the cochlear.

It is suggested that the provision of adequate tinnitus treatment may help to improve the quality of life which elderly people lead. There may also be a reduction of health visits since a series of related conditions can be effectively managed. Unfortunately the provision of support in the developing world remains a problem.

More details on Tinnitus Treatment can be obtained from various websites available online.

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