Finding into death of Kent Thomas

68y · Male·Hanging

Kent Thomas, aged 68, died by hanging in December 2018. He had experienced chronic tinnitus since 2013 which severely impacted his mental health and quality of life. Despite referral to mental health services and a reasonable assessment by a psychiatric nurse on 7 December, he died three days later. The coroner identified tinnitus-related distress as the primary driver of his suicide. Key clinical lessons: tinnitus can cause severe psychological distress with suicide risk, particularly in older men; early specialist assessment and collaborative treatment involving audiologists, mental health professionals and GPs is essential; GPs should screen for tinnitus-related distress and conduct suicide risk assessment; treatment should address both the hearing condition and psychological impact through education, coping strategies and reassurance rather than relying solely on benzodiazepines.