It could be described like a mozzie living in your eardrum, but for many Aussies living with tinnitus is a daily reality.
New research from Curtin University has revealed a quarter of Aussie workers suffer from the condition, experiencing a ringing, buzzing, clicking or other noises in their ears.
Shockingly, around half a million of those experience the sensation constantly.
In most cases tinnitus cannot be cured and can drive some people to the edge, disturbing sleep and causing anxiety and depression.
While particularly loud workplaces are the clearest factor in who is most likely to develop tinnitus, exposure to chemicals may be another contributor.
The study of 5000 Australian workers was published in the Medical Journal of Australia on Monday to coincide with the start of Tinnitus Awareness Week.
Those most at risk are working men aged 55 to 64 years, lead author and audiologist Kate Lewkowski from the Curtin School of Population Health explained.
Jobs with the highest prevalence of tinnitus are those that involve exposure to loud noises, such as the automotive, agricultural, construction and other trade industries.
Surprisingly, transport jobs such as mobile plant operators, taxi, delivery, truck, tanker, bus, rail and forklift drivers also faced a higher risk, researchers said.
These occupations are not typically associated with high levels of noise, which initially baffled experts.
“The prevalence of tinnitus was high in occupations most exposed to hazardous noise levels,” study co-author Professor Lin Fritschi said.
“However, as drivers are not usually exposed to the same levels of loud noise as some other workers, it is interesting that this workforce has a high prevalence of tinnitus.
“One theory is that other workplace exposures, such as carbon monoxide in vehicle exhaust, may be contributing to the risk.”
Those behind the study said a potential link between workplace chemicals and developing tinnitus warranted further research.
