It's National Tinnitus Week!
This week, from 9-15 February 2009 is National Tinnitus Week.
So what is Tinnitus? It's the sensation of a sound in the ear or head not produced by an external source. It can consist of one or more noises, which can reach and remain at extremely high volume. At present neither drugs nor surgery can cure tinnitus.
Unending loud noise in the head is often listed as the third worst of non-lethal medical conditions, after severe pain and total paralysis. Its common effects include insomnia, anxiety, stress, and depression. It diminishes much social intercourse and wrecks careers or ambitions and for children it can badly interfere with normal education.
Celebrity sufferers include Bill Clinton, Cher, Barbra Streisand, William Shatner, Jimmy Savile, Phil Collins, BBC Radio 2's Johnnie Walker, Lord Rix and ex-Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
The British Tinnitus Association represents every person in the UK with tinnitus and in this vital awareness week it wants to raise more awareness about tinnitus in those who do not have the condition but who may be at risk of getting it.
Coping with the debilitating condition of tinnitus could become that bit easier thanks to a new blog being set up by Deafness Research UK.
The blog will initially involve three Deafness Research UK supporters talking frankly about how they cope with their tinnitus on a daily basis.
Bloggers Kate, John and Gemma who, contrary to the usual advice of trying not to dwell on the symptoms, are focusing on their tinnitus in order to help others learn from their experiences and cope with tinnitus better.
Readers who want further information about tinnitus can call the Deafness Research UK information line, free of charge, on 0808 808 2222. The helpline is open 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday (a message can be left at other times) to answer specific questions about tinnitus. If the Information team cannot answer a question directly, it will be referred to one of Deafness Research UK’s scientific or medical advisers.
