Roel van Gorkum has developed ‘Sus Tinnitus’, an online course combining various therapeutic methods to help those suffering from the condition, following his personal struggle with tinnitus.
Roel van Gorkum, a 40-year-old biomedical engineer and former employee at ASML, has developed an innovative online course aimed at providing relief for those suffering from tinnitus, a condition characterised by persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears. Van Gorkum’s trouble with tinnitus began in 2018 following a kitesurfing incident in which a wave hit his ear, leaving him with a ringing that did not subside as it had in the past. “I have days when I don’t notice it at all. And on days when the ringing returns, I think: it will be alright,” he remarked, expressing the uncertain nature of living with this condition.
At the time of his diagnosis, Van Gorkum was undergoing a reintegration process at ASML after becoming overworked in the logistics department, where he faced daily demands from customers requiring urgent spare parts for chip machines. The stress from his job, compounded by long commutes from Amsterdam, was significant. “Tinnitus often becomes a problem when you’re under a lot of stress,” he explained, acknowledging the vicious cycle that can ensue where stress exacerbates the perception of tinnitus.
Despite consulting general practitioners and ENT specialists, he found little relief, as they informed him that his combination of hearing loss and stress-related tinnitus meant he would need to learn to live with the condition. Seeking a solution, Van Gorkum turned to online resources, experimenting with white noise headphones and various therapies but found little success. Disappointed after a beach holiday yielded no results, he began to delve into research on tinnitus treatment methods, developing a comprehensive understanding of diverse approaches from around the world.
This exploration led him to create ‘Sus Tinnitus,’ an online course designed to equip participants with strategies that had proven effective for him. The course encompasses a mix of videos, a workbook, and an app, combining elements from various therapies, including tinnitus retraining therapy and mindfulness techniques. “I extracted the best elements that worked well for me and combined the methods,” he noted, allowing him to tailor an approach that does not conflict with established practices.
Van Gorkum launched the course and has since offered various options, including a guided version that costs 697 euros, with most employers providing reimbursement for participants. His online format is intentionally designed to circumvent the long waiting times typically associated with group therapy.
The efficacy of Van Gorkum’s approach has been evaluated through research conducted by Annemarie van der Wal, with findings published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. The study revealed significant symptom reduction for 91 of 122 participants, with a noted decrease of 27 points on the Tinnitus Functional Index, an established scale for measuring the impact of tinnitus.
Now fully dedicated to his course, Van Gorkum has embraced this unexpected career shift after leaving ASML. Although initially hesitant about specialising in tinnitus treatment, he identified a personal calling. “I always wanted to become an inventor and help people,” he explained. Despite his non-traditional background, which does not include formal qualifications in psychology or audiology, he has gained traction among customers who have provided positive feedback on his course.
As of now, more than a thousand individuals have participated, with Van Gorkum aspiring to reach ten thousand. Beyond that, he aims to further extend his impact to a wider audience and has expressed interest in securing health insurance reimbursements to accelerate enrolment. However, he has encountered challenges in discussions with insurers, as the course does not align with existing treatment codes. “My door is open for innovative health insurers who realise that something needs to be done now that one in six people gets tinnitus,” he concluded, reflecting the pressing need for effective solutions in tinnitus management.
Source: Noah Wire Services
