Rock fan killed himself 'after developing tinnitus that made him feel like bugs were flying inside his head'

A rock fan committed suicide after a 12-week battle with tinnitus which made him feel like bugs were "flying around inside his head".

Glen Mitchell, 53, was a retired firefighter who developed tinnitus after attending a rock gig in 2011.

Mr Mitchell took his own life just three months later following a breakdown in his mental health.

His wife, Linda Mitchell, said his condition left him hearing country and western tunes in his head at all times of day.

Ms Mitchell, 45, is now hoping to raise awareness for those who are also suffering with the condition.

She said: "I'd been married to Glen for 10 years but we'd been together for 22 and had a really happy life. He was a happy, healthy, fun-loving bloke who was hard-working, active and very fit. All that changed so quickly, it's almost hard to comprehend.

"At one point, he was terrified because what he was hearing just made him think he had bugs in his head. He became convinced they were in his ears and flying around inside.

"He would be out, pacing the streets or walking around the house, until 4am, just trying to exhaust himself to the point that he could get some sleep. His biggest fear was the idea that this feeling would never go away and he would never sleep again."

Mrs Mitchell is sharing her story as part of the British Tinnitus Associations (BTA) 'Share Your Sound' campaign to help make sure more GPs and medical professionals understand tinnitus.

For more information, visit the British Tinnitus Association on www.tinnitus.org.uk