Dad-of-two shares his tinnitus struggle after horror crash near Bolton

Scott Lowe is only 33 but is plagued with a severe ringing in his ears following the October 2018 collision in Aspull.

He also endured a serious back injury when a van collided with the rear of his Citroen DS3 in Hall Lane.

Store manager Scott, who is married to Jordan, 28, received hospital treatment at the time but is still feeling the after-effects.

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One stressful or busy day can leave him with "a church bell ringing in my head", he says.

And the combined effects of his conditions makes it a struggle to pick up his three-year-old son and seven-month-old daughter.

Now he has spoken out at the start of Tinnitus Awareness Week, to highlight how the condition can strike victims of any age.

The family man has been receiving support from leading injury lawyers Irwin Mitchell as he tries to secure the right treatment to reduce the burden.

Scott, who lives in Aspull, said: "The tinnitus started as a hum in my ear and I just thought it was one of those things that would get better over time. However, it started to get progressively worse.

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“When the doctor told me it could well be permanent and I should wear a hearing aid it came as a huge shock.

“I am a young and active man in my 30s. I never thought I would need a hearing aid.

“Now if I have a busy or stressful day at work the tinnitus can be like a church bell ringing in my head at night. There’s not a day goes by where it doesn’t affect me."

Kellie Robinson, an Irwin Mitchell lawyer, added: "“It’s often easy to underestimate the impact tinnitus may have but around one in 10 people in the UK suffer with the condition.

“Scott’s case undoubtedly puts a spotlight on how hearing problems can affect individuals and why it’s vital that such people can access specialist support. We’re determined to ensure Scott can get the help he requires."