Sherwood Forest NHS Foundation Trust Has Teamed Up With The British Tinnitus Association To Launch The Service
The Sherwood Forest NHS Foundation Trust has joined together with the British Tinnitus Association (BTA) to establish a support group for those affected by tinnitus in the local area.Clinicians from the audiology department have been heavily involved in the launch of the new support group, which will offer advice and guidance for those suffering from tinnitus, as well as providing an opportunity for sufferers to meet other people affected by the condition.
The first meeting of the group will take place at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton-in-Ashfield on the 8th October.
Michelle Booth, clinical lead for adult audiology at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, said: "Our patients have always had access to tinnitus groups elsewhere, but we felt it was important that we incorporate this as part of our own service.
"Our first meeting is supported by the British Tinnitus Association, with their support group project manager, Laura White, in attendance providing information and literature for members. A speaker from the Nottinghamshire Biomedical Research Unit will also be talking about tinnitus research which is currently being undertaken locally.
She called on tinnitus sufferers to take the opportunity to attend the meeting to learn more about their condition and to share experiences with others in a similar situation.
Expert Opinion
Support groups such as this are vital in helping tinnitus sufferers share their experiences with others in similar situations, as well as providing help and guidance on dealing with their condition. <br/> <br/>“Tinnitus is a serious condition that affects around six million people in the UK. It can have a major impact on how sufferers live their lives and can be incredibly frustrating for the victims, as well as their loved ones. <br/> <br/>“In our work we regularly meet people who have developed tinnitus and hearing damage as a result of being exposed to excessive noise in their workplace. In many of these cases, we have found that workers would not have suffered hearing damage and tinnitus had they been supplied with the correct protection and equipment by their employers, who have a responsibility to safeguard their workforce.”