HC Deb 17 December 1980 vol 996 c195W
Mr. David Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if it is his estimate that as many as two million people are suffering from the condition of tinnitus; and if he will review the current level of £25,000 allocated for research into this illness.

Dr. Vaughan

The number of people suffering from tinnitus in this country is not known; the figure of 2 million is an estimate based on statistics of prevalence in the USA. Arrangements have however, been made to include questions on tinnitus in the 1981 general household survey to be conducted by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. These should give an indication of its prevalence among adults living in private households.

The main Government-funded body supporting research into this condition is the Medical. Research Council, from funds provided by the Department of Education and Science and the health departments. In 1979–80 the council's expenditure on research relevant to tinnitus was some £43,000. Three new projects estimated to cost £57,000 over the next three years have recently started.

The Department is supporting a project estimated to cost £30,000 over the next three years.

Expenditure over the whole field of medical research is kept under review and levels of expenditure on the range of diseases are adjusted from time to time in recognition of changes in priorities and the abilities of researchers to undertake the work.