Jamie Laing says his tinnitus is 'forever' and caused by hearing loss
The former reality star and broadcaster, 36, told The i his condition began in his late 20s and is debilitating; he also discussed family life as he prepares for his first child
Jamie Laing has told media he will live with tinnitus “forever” after the condition was linked to permanent hearing loss.
Laing, 36, said the ringing and whooshing sound in his ears began when he was about 27 and has been a debilitating, constant presence. Tinnitus — a perception of sound without an external source — affects an estimated 7.6 million people in the United Kingdom.
"My tinnitus is, unfortunately, forever," Laing told The i. "It started about when I was 27 and it’s a debilitating issue. I basically hear constant ringing in my ears." He said his symptoms worsen with anxiety and fatigue and previously described the sound as a "high ringing whooshing noise" that can intensify in stressful moments.
Laing said some people experience temporary tinnitus related to ear infections or anxiety, but that his case is tied to hearing loss and is unlikely to resolve. "When it first starts, you just want to really put your head in front of a train, then you realise that you have to just live with it," he said, describing his initial reaction. He added that acceptance has helped him manage day to day: "Once you accept that’s just part of your makeup, you can get through it."
The former Made in Chelsea star, who presents on BBC Radio 1, has spoken publicly about his hearing issue for several years. He discussed the condition in interviews and on air while also sharing aspects of his personal life: Laing and his wife Sophie Habboo are expecting their first child. On his Radio 1 show, he also recounted a household rule Habboo has imposed as they ready their new home for the baby — that he change out of outdoor clothes on returning home — and made light of the logistics during the conversation.
Tinnitus varies widely in severity and cause. Clinical guidance notes that for some people the symptom can be temporary or related to treatable factors such as ear infections, while for others it is associated with permanent hearing damage. Laing’s description underscores the condition’s potential impact on quality of life, including sleep, concentration and mental health.
Laing has previously spoken about how the noise can become louder with tiredness or anxiety, a pattern clinicians say is common for many who live with chronic tinnitus. He did not outline any specific treatments he is using in the recent interview, but public health resources advise that people affected by persistent tinnitus consult medical professionals to explore assessment, hearing tests and management options.
The broadcaster’s comments add to ongoing public discussion about tinnitus and hearing health, and highlight the experiences of people who manage long-term auditory symptoms while maintaining careers and family life.