People from across Forth Valley who experience tinnitus are being invited to learn techniques designed to help manage the condition and offer some relief. Organised by NHS Forth Valley’s Audiology team, an information day at the Forth Valley Sensory Centre in Camelon, Falkirk on Tuesday 4th February 2020 will feature a series of workshops. These include stress awareness, sleep management, and distraction techniques. There will also be a session on changing thoughts and behaviours through cognitive behavioural therapy and drop-in information sessions in the morning and afternoon (from 9.30am – 12.00pm and 1.00pm – 3.00pm).

Tinnitus is an extremely distressing condition which has affected millions of people worldwide including celebrities such as Whoopi Goldberg and Pete Townsend and Scottish actor Gerard Butler. It can cause constant ‘ringing in the ears’ which can drive people to distraction.

NHS Forth Valley Specialist Audiologist, Lisa McEwan, explained: “Tinnitus is not an illness or disease but a term that describes the sensation of hearing a noise in the ear in the absence of an external sound. It can be linked to several things including exposure to loud noise, stress and anxiety, glue ear, hearing loss, ear infections and ear wax build-up.

“It affects more than five million people in the UK and can be very distressing causing problems with sleep, concentration and mod. However in many cases subtle changes in people’s environment can address these issues and improve their quality of life.”

The information day is part of National Tinnitus Awareness Week and will be held on February 4th 2020. Booking is essential for the workshops as places are limited however drop in information sessions will take place in the morning and afternoon. To book, or for more information, please contact NHS Forth Valley’s Audiology Team on 01786 434171 or email: FV-UHB.Audiology@nhs.net for more information.

Workshops

• New ways to distract: introduction to crafting 9.30am – 11.30am
• Stress Awareness 11.30am – 12.30pm
• Sleep Management 1.00pm – 2.00pm
• Changing Thoughts and Behaviours – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 2.00pm – 3.00pm
• Drop-in Information Sessions 9.30am – 12.00pm and 1.00pm – 3.00pm