Woman Lives With “Constant High Pitched Ringing” In Her Ear

A Merseyside mum has spoken out on her daily struggles after being diagnosed with tinnitus following a car crash.

Sharon Hunter, of Prescot, sustained serious injuries when a vehicle collided with the side of her car as she waited to turn into a street in St Helens.

Following the collision, Sharon, 50, attended hospital where she was diagnosed with an injured lower back and right hip, and tinnitus in both ears.

With her life impacted by the injuries, Sharon, a former child-minder, instructed serious injury experts at Irwin Mitchell to help her access the specialist support and therapies she requires.

Sharon is now joining with her legal team to mark Tinnitus Awareness Week by speaking out on how the condition continues to affect her more than three years after the crash.

Kellie Robinson, the serious injury expert at Irwin Mitchell representing Sharon, said: “The past few years have been difficult for Sharon as she tries to come to terms with the injuries she sustained and how they impact her life.

“She faces daily challenges with the tinnitus interfering with her concentration and also affecting her sleep.

“The effects of this condition should not be underestimated, and Sharon’s case highlights how important it is for people to access specialist support.

“We’re determined to ensure Sharon gets the help she requires.”

Sharon was driving to the supermarket when the collision happened on 21 March, 2017.  Her car was stationary at the time as she waited to make a right-hand turn into a street in St Helens.

Almost four years on, Sharon, who is married and has three children, lives with a “high pitched ringing” noise mainly in her right ear.

She said: “Since the crash, I have had to manage the impact of tinnitus and how it affects me on a daily basis can be very challenging.  The only way I can describe it is as a constant high pitched ringing which leaves me struggling to concentrate most days. 

“Sleeping is also particularly difficult with tinnitus.  I thought it might be temporary and would gradually start to get better over time, but there isn’t a day goes by where I’m not affected by it. 

“I think the effects of tinnitus can often be underestimated, so I hope that by sharing my story it will make others aware that it can affect anyone but there is help out there.”

Tinnitus Awareness Week runs from 1-7 February. For more information visit www.tinnitus.org.uk/

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