Tinnitus Awareness event creates a buzz

Hundreds of local people from the Southern Trust area have attended a tinnitus awareness event in Armagh City Hotel, organised by Action on Hearing Loss and the Sensory Disability Team at the Southern Health and Social Care Trust. Kathy McCann, Outreach Volunteer Co-ordinator with Action on Hearing Loss, said that between 10 and 20 per cent of the UK adult population has experienced tinnitus at some point in their life.

Speaking to Newry Times she said, “Tinnitus is hearing damage which occurs when someone has buzzing ears for a short time after listening to loud music, or ringing in their ears or head for longer periods as a result of illness, a health condition or an injury. The noise may be a ringing, a roaring, a whistling or a hissing sound. For almost 9,000 people in Northern Ireland the effect of tinnitus on their lives is severe, causing them to have disrupted sleep and affecting their ability to concentrate and even work.”

Colette Bigley, Hearing Disability Services Manager at the Southern Trust, explained, “We’re delighted to have organised the event in partnership, which offered visitors tips to tackle tinnitus. There were ideas for complementary therapies and stress management techniques which are important in coping with the condition. Trust staff and Action on Hearing Loss advisors were also available to discuss the facts and myths surrounding tinnitus and to provide information on communication support and sound therapies.”

Action on Hearing Loss has a dedicated tinnitus helpline where trained advisors are available to answer queries and offer support – the Freephone number is 0808 808 6666.

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Posted by Newry Times News on May 6 2012. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry