I wonder if such a high-profile event will have an impact on awareness of tinnitus or if it will just pass by in the flow of news. When “the comfortable” (in this case, a CEO) are “afflicted” then things tend to be taken more seriously among their peers, at least for a little while.
The literature has many references to folks whose tinnitus causes significant psychological distress.
A reminder, I suppose, to be thankful if one’s own ever-present buzz and whirr is generally just an annoying constant companion that hasn’t lead one to consider self-harm.
But if you’re reading this and in distress, please know that help is available. Your brain can be taught to “tune out” some of the buzz, especially if your tinnitus is new. The media casually said that Taylor’s tinnitus “contributed” to his suicide but no doubt the real story was complex. Please don’t give up on yourself. Talk to a trusted friend or a suicide hotline in your area.