What do Eric Clapton, William Shatner and Sylvester Stallone have in common, apart from all being famous celebrities? The answer is tinnitus, often described as ‘ringing in the ears.’ It is a condition which can be extremely distressing and the NHS Forth Valley Audiology Team are inviting Forth Valley residents to attend an open day on Friday 12^th February 2016 at the Forth Valley Sensory Centre in Camelon, Falkirk to learn more about tinnitus, its causes and what may offer some relief.

The event is part of Tinnitus Awareness Week (8^th – 14^th February 2016) and will include an introduction to stress control, the role of the audiologist and how the Forth Valley Sensory Centre can help sufferers. There will also be taster sessions on practical relaxation, Indian head massage, Quigong (an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures and breathing techniques) and Mindfulness.

NHS Forth Valley Senior Audiologist Elizabeth Hastings said: “Tinnitus is not an illness or disease but a term that describes the sensation of hearing a noise in the absence of an external sound. It affects around 5 million people in the UK and is known to be one of the most common health problems facing the UK today.

“It can be very distressing for those affected and may cause problems with sleep, concentration and mood. However, in many cases, subtle changes in people’s environment can address these issues, and improve an individual’s quality of life,”

Anyone wishing to attend any part of the day or would like to register for any of the taster sessions should contact the Forth Valley Sensory Centre in advance on 01324 590888 as places will be limited.