Radio Host Describes Tinnitus Diagnosis

Joe Duffy says he was diagnosed with tinnitus in late 2018.

The former RTÉ radio host details the onset of the condition in his new memoir, Talk to Joe: Life, Liveline and Me. Duffy retired from RTÉ in June 2025 after 27 years hosting Liveline. The book marks his first major publication following nearly four decades with the national broadcaster.

Duffy describes the exact moment he first heard the internal noise. He was in an RTÉ gym in November 2018 with colleague Kieran Keenan. Duffy asked Keenan to turn off an alarm that Keenan said was not on. Duffy explained he could hear a high-pitched sound in his ear. He initially thought he had jumped too hard or low while working out.

The sound persisted when Duffy returned home. He states that the ringing worsened over time, causing him what he calls a complete and total panic. Duffy notes that he did not inform RTÉ about the severity of his reaction at the time. Pat Kenny, who interviewed Duffy, noted that ears are a broadcaster's primary instrument.

Duffy sought advice from fellow RTÉ broadcaster Derek Mooney, who has spoken publicly about tinnitus. Mooney offered two pieces of guidance. He told Duffy that the condition is not fatal. Mooney also stated there is no cure, despite advertisements claiming otherwise. He recommended cognitive behavior therapy to develop methods to distract the mind from the sound.

Duffy says he is managing the condition now but notes that discussing it brings the awareness back. He suggests a specific digital approach for new patients. He advises them to search for tinnitus sounds on platforms like YouTube or Spotify. He says there are 60,000 such sounds available for listeners to try.

The strategy involves finding a background sound that distracts the user from the internal ringing. Duffy says users should listen to various options until they find one that works. He describes this process as having a placebo effect. He instructs patients to put on that specific sound every time they become conscious of their tinnitus.

Tinnitus is a condition where a person hears ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in their ears or head without an external source. Duffy says he is okay now but acknowledges the condition remains a part of his daily life. His memoir, Talk to Joe: Life, Liveline and Me, is currently available for purchase.