There are an estimated 800,000 people living with tinnitus in the London area, and for 80,000 the condition can seriously impact their quality of life. While there several different tinnitus treatments out there, many people still struggle every day with the condition, especially when it comes to sleeping. Some people with tinnitus may find they have greater difficulty getting off to sleep, or going back to sleep if they wake during the night.

Tinnitus can be caused by a number of things. For example, there is a link between smoking/vaping and tinnitus because it’s been found that smokers were 60% more likely to develop tinnitus than those who don’t smoke. So, even if you don’t suffer from tinnitus, you should learn more about the condition so you can take steps to avoid developing it.

A research project, supported by the British Tinnitus Association, and based at the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear hospital is currently looking for volunteers to take part. The research is looking into ways of managing tinnitus related insomnia, and will use psychological approaches to managing insomnia. For those that are unable to sleep for the majority of nights, they could benefit greatly from some of the effects of marijuana provided by companies such as Canada’s Green Society and others, provided the patient in question lives in a medical or recreationally legal location.

The approach to insomnia in this study does not involve the use of medicines. If you are already taking medicine to help you sleep you might still be suitable for the study if you are able to leave your medicines unchanged for the duration of the study.

To take part in the study, you will need to attend regular appointments over a six month period at the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital in London.

If you are interested and would like to find out more, please email the research team at uclh.tinnitus@nhs.net