Released on: July 9, 2008, 4:08 am

Press Release Author: BeyondPR

Industry: Healthcare

Press Release Summary: Angela Jackson from Accrington in Lancashire suffers from the
constant irritation of tinnitus

Press Release Body: Angela Jackson from Accrington in Lancashire suffers from the
constant irritation of tinnitus, with four different sounds playing in her right ear
and two different sounds occasionally audible in her left ear. She has chosen to
share her knowledge and experience of tinnitus in the hope that she can help others
come to terms with a condition that is under-funded and little understood.

Angela has become a lip-reading teacher and lay counsellor for tinnitus sufferers.
"I became aware of the tinnitus about five years ago. When it first started I
thought I was going mad!" Angela explains. "It's not too bad first thing in the
morning, but the noises get worse as the day wears on." Angela, 51, was already hard
of hearing, and the noise of the tinnitus has made it even harder to hear. She finds
that she becomes more irritable and moody the worse the noises get, but she has been
learning to deal with such feelings by attending tinnitus training courses. So
useful has she found this, that she is now teaching courses herself. But whilst they
help others, the added attention she is giving to tinnitus is actually making her
symptoms worse. "I used to cope by ignoring it, but now I'm talking about it so
much, I actually find that the tinnitus bothers me much more," Angela adds.

Angela also recognises that she was avoiding social events and situations: I've been
keeping away from noisy environments. I don't really have a social life, as my
hearing aid amplifies the background sound and it literally becomes painful for me."
She admits it has been a huge knock to her confidence.

As many tinnitus sufferers point out, it is hard for other people to understand a
condition that you cannot see. As part of the training she offers, Angela plays
recordings of tinnitus type sounds to non-sufferers to help them understand what it
is like to live with these symptoms. She also urges them to have patience and show
support towards their loved ones as best they can.

I feel the support I have received myself helps me to deliver my own courses with
greater understanding and sympathy," says Angela.

Angela was told in the early stages of her condition that there was no cure and no
treatment that was one hundred percent successful, and that she would have to learn
to live with the tinnitus. "In fact," says Angela, "I was made to feel that I should
be grateful that tinnitus was all I had to worry about!"

She firmly believes that not enough is being done to find a cure or reliable
treatment. "Not enough money is being ploughed into tinnitus research," Angela says
emphatically.

Deafness Research UK is the country\'s only charity dedicated to finding new cures,
treatments and technologies for the deaf, hard of hearing and other hearing impaired
people including tinnitus sufferers.

Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK, said: "Nearly five
million people in the UK are affected by tinnitus and it can have a devastating
effect on their quality of life. Not enough is known about this very complex
condition and we are determined to do something about it. We are committed to
funding leading edge research and providing practical information to health
professionals for the benefit of sufferers," she added.

'Deafness Research UK has produced a useful guide called 'Managing Tinnitus'. To
receive a copy telephone 0808 808 2222 or email info@deafnessresearch.org.uk. For
information on research into deafness and other hearing conditions, log on to the
website, www.deafnessresearch.org.uk'

ENDS



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Ref: DRUK0054 - Angela Jackson