Cambridge, England — Symptoms of tinnitus may be causing some employees to stop working because of on-the-job challenges stemming from the condition, according to a recent study by European and American researchers.
The group surveyed 449 adults with tinnitus, 64% of whom were employed. Findings show that 11% of respondents said they worked fewer hours because of the conditions, while 7% had to stop working.
Tinnitus is often characterized as ringing in the ears. NIOSH, however, says some people may hear a buzzing or roaring sound that could be constant or come and go.
The respondents described multiple on-the-job challenges that stem from tinnitus. Among them:
- Trouble concentrating
- Issues communicating in meetings
- Increased fatigue
- Slower task completion
- Being more prone to errors
- Increased anxiety and sleep issues
- Frustration or withdrawal from group interactions
“Our findings highlight that, for some individuals, tinnitus is far more than a persistent sound; it can be a barrier to maintaining stable employment and workplace well-being, and often co-occurs with hearing loss, anxiety or sleep difficulties,” Eldre Beukes, lead study author and an associate professor of audiology at Anglia Ruskin University, said in a press release.
She added: “Workplaces should recognize tinnitus as a condition that can affect productivity and may require reasonable adjustments. Policies supporting flexible work patterns, access to hearing-related technologies and improved awareness among managers could make it easier for those affected to stay in work.”
The study was published in the journal Brain Sciences.
