In the new ITV documentary, Reid interviews Carty, who was found guilty of the murder of a young mother whose baby she allegedly planned to steal. After sitting on the death row for 20 years, Reid takes up the challenge of examining the details of the trial to try to uncover some cracks in the case. The star began her broadcasting career back on the BBC, but it was in 2015 that she revealed that she had battled tinnitus – the perception of sounds in her head and ear that has no external source – that has no cure.
The star began suffering from the condition back in 2004 after the birth of her second son Finn, and has throughout her career revealed some of the annoying symptoms she constantly hears.
Back in 2013, when asked in an interview what “treasure” she would like to have again, Reid replied: “Silence. I’ve had tinnitus since Finn’s birth, which was probably due to a difficult birth.
“When I first started hearing it, which was probably about ten years ago, I was pretty desperate that I would never hear silence again.”
In another case, the star took to social media to explain to her 861,000 followers that her condition was flaring up.
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In a tweet back in 2018, Reid said: “My tinnitus is so high right now.
“The noise you used to hear when the TV programming ended at the end of the day? That. In my head.”
The British Tinnitus Association explains that a person can hear a ringing, humming, whistling, whistling or other noise in either one or both ears, which can become extremely annoying, especially as it can vary in volume.
According to The Mayo Clinic, about 15 to 20 percent of people suffer from the condition – especially older adults.
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Sometimes people have tinnitus that may seem like a familiar tune or song. This is known as musical tinnitus or musical hallucination.
In other cases, some people have tinnitus, which has a beat in time with their heartbeat. This is called pulsating tinnitus.
Since tinnitus is a symptom generated in the auditory system, it is usually caused by an underlying health condition such as:
- Hearing loss
- Inflammation of the ear
- Head or neck injuries
- Medicines such as anti-inflammatory drugs.
Less common causes of tinnitus can include conditions such as diabetes, thyroid problems, migraines, arthritis and lupus.
The British Tinnitus Association states that “there is no cure for tinnitus”, but as Reid himself said, most people can deal with the condition in everyday life.
In a follow-up tweet in 2018, Reid said: “Yesterday was a bad tinnitus day, but I can mostly handle it.
“If anyone out there needs support, please contact @BritishTinnitus, who has a lot of great advice.”
For those who suffer severely from the condition, possible complications of the condition may include:
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Sleep problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Depression
- Anxiety and irritability
- Headache
- Problems with work and family life.
To try to help cope with tinnitus, the NHS provides some important tips on what to do, these include the following:
- Try to relax – deep breathing or yoga can help
- Try to find ways to improve your sleep, such as sticking to a bedtime routine or cutting down on caffeine
- Try to avoid things that can make tinnitus worse, such as stress or loud background noise
- Try self-help books or self-help techniques to help you cope better
- Join a support group – talking to other people with tinnitus can help you cope.
For some individuals who may need additional support, the British Tinnitus Association recommends cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as either stand-alone or combined with sound therapy.
CBT can help individuals deal with the impact that tinnitus has on their lives, by offering techniques that can help deal with anxiety and anxiety. It helps individuals to understand their thought process in relation to the condition so that their thoughts can become more positive.
Exercising and achieving a higher level of well-being can also help people to more easily ignore and deal with tinnitus. For people who are not used to exercising, the association says they should start gently with a brisk walk or a swim. Trying a variety of exercises to improve strength, cardiovascular fitness, agility and flexibility has also been a success in the past.