 |
For immediate release, 9th October 2007
Wentworth MP tackles tinnitus with help from RNID
Wentworth MP John Healey has pledged to help an estimated 30,000 people living in Rotherham (1) to tackle tinnitus – the medical term for noises inside the ears or head – after experiencing it firsthand.
John Healey donned special ‘tinnitus headphones’ in workplace and home environments at the RNID and Unum conference stand at the recent Party Conference in Bournemouth to find out for himself how distracting tinnitus can be.
John Healey said: “The tinnitus headphones are a great way of showing just how difficult it can be to relax at home or concentrate on working with constant buzzing or ringing in your ears.
“Tinnitus can be a debilitating condition for many people, leaving them feeling isolated and stressed – particularly if they can’t access the medical advice they need to help manage it.
“Unfortunately there is no cure – however, it can be managed with simple techniques and equipment.
“RNID’s dedicated new tinnitus website and helpline are doing a great job to support people with this condition and help them get on with their lives.
“As a former campaigner for the RNID I believe this new campaign is important to bring a better understanding of tinnitus, as many suffer without realising. I hope the campaign will encourage more GP’s to do more to ensure they understand the condition and what can be done for patients.”
- ENDS -
Photo caption: John Healey, MP for Wentworth, experiences how noises inside the ears or head can distract sufferers by wearing ‘tinnitus headphones’ in workplace and home environments.
Photo credit: Jo Hunt/Mousetrap Media Ltd
Notes to editors:
1. With 68,500 people in the average UK constituency, over 10,000 in each are estimated to suffer from tinnitus. This is calculated as a result of BMRB Omnibus research on tinnitus, conducted February 2007 through face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of approximately 2,000 adults, aged over 15 years of age, in Great Britain (excludes Northern Ireland). While this new research indicates that more than seven million people experience tinnitus, previous estimates by the Medical Research Council had showed that just 4.7 million people (10 per cent of the population) have experienced tinnitus [MRC 1987].
2. Research on tinnitus conducted by doctors.net.uk, February 2007, amongst 506 GPs. RNID is calling on doctors to refer sufferers to RNID’s dedicated website www.tuneouttinnutus.co.uk for expert online advice, or refer them to ear, nose and throat specialists if the condition is having a severe impact on their lives.
3. Top tips for tuning out tinnitus include:
• Sound therapy – A wide range of ‘relaxer’ products, which play soothing sounds to distract people from the noise of tinnitus, are available from RNID’s products range. Visit www.rnid.org.uk/shop to find out more.
• Relaxation – Meditation, yoga or just time out for a warm bath and soothing music can all help – many people notice their tinnitus more if they are worried or tired. Relaxation CDs are available from RNID’s products range at www.rnid.org.uk/shop.
• Hearing aids – If someone with tinnitus also has a hearing loss, hearing aids can help by stopping the ears straining to hear, and picking up other sounds that may distract from the tinnitus. To take RNID’s telephone hearing check, call 0845 600 5555.
• Get advice – visit RNID’s dedicated website at www.tuneouttinnitus.org.uk or call the charity’s Tinnitus Helpline on (telephone) 0808 808 6666 or (textphone) 0808 808 0007.
4. RNID funds £50,000 of research each year to find a cure for tinnitus. At the moment, there are no drugs available to specifically treat tinnitus alone.
5. RNID is the national charity working to change the world for the UK's 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people. We do this with the help of our members, by campaigning and lobbying, raising awareness of deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus, providing services and through social, medical and technical research.
6. For further information about RNID or to become a member, visit www.rnid.org.uk, contact RNID's Information Line on 0808 808 0123 (freephone) or 0808 808 9000 (textphone) or email informationline@rnid.org.uk.
7. For tinnitus enquiries, visit www.tuneouttinnitus.org.uk, contact RNID’s Tinnitus Helpline on 0808 808 6666 (freephone) or 0808 808 9000 (textphone) or email tinnitushelpline@rnid.org.uk.
Contact:
donna.tipping@rnid.org.uk / 020 7296 8229 / 07944 038 635
john.hutson@unumprovident.co.uk / 01306 873 471 / 07876 036 746
wilsonjo@parliament.uk / 01709 512463