​Grant Searchfield to speak at British Tinnitus Association Annual Conference

28 July 2016 - The British Tinnitus Association (BTA) is delighted to welcome eminent audiologist and neuroscientist Dr Grant Searchfield, Associate Professor at the Univeristy of Auckland, who will be opening their Annual Conference with a presentation entitled: “Hearing aids and combination devices for tinnitus – What should an audiologist know?”

Speaking via live videolink (another first for the BTA Conference), Dr Searchfield will consider existing and emerging evidence for sound’s ability to relieve or treat tinnitus, and present one evidence-informed sound therapy protocol.

The only Conference in the UK dedicated solely to tinnitus, the programme includes presentations by leading researchers and clinicians, covering new developments in research and best practice.

Other speakers and topics include:

• Emerging genetic targets against hearing loss and tinnitus – Martine Hamann, Lecturer in Neurosciences, University of Leicester
• Reflections on tinnitus with patients with cancer – David Baguley, Consultant Clinical Scientist, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Psychologically informed whole person approach to tinnitus: not just for psychologists – Tony Kay, Head of Audiology Services and Dominic Bray, Consultant Clinical Health Psychologist. Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Take on tinnitus: tinnitus e-learning – David Stockdale – BTA Chief Executive
• Objective measurement of tinnitus distress – James Jackson, Associate Principal Lecturer in Psychology, Leeds Trinity University
• Paediatric tinnitus – Dawn Lamerton, Principal Audiologist, NHS Lothian

At this year’s Conference, delegates will have the opportunity to submit and present a poster of their work. The BTA wants to hear more about the work being done, involvement in projects, the research or audits delegates have been part of. There will be a dedicated poster session and the BTA hope this new format will foster new debate, learning, and perhaps new collaborations across clinicians, researchers, and all those interested in tinnitus.

Conference bookings are being processed through Eventbrite, please go to http://bit.ly/1RwJnU6 to book your place or places. Full details of Conference can be found at www.tinnitus.org.uk/conf16 and for any other information, or if you have any questions, please contact Krys Klytta, BTA Events Manger on 0114 250 9933 or email krys@tinnitus.org.uk

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Editors Notes

The British Tinnitus Association (BTA) is an independent charity which supports thousands of people who experience tinnitus and advises medical professionals from across the world.

The BTA is the primary source of support and information for people with tinnitus in the UK, facilitating an improved quality of life.

They aim to encourage prevention through its educational programme and to seek effective treatment for tinnitus through a medical research programme.

The support the BTA offers to 272,000 people per year who are affected by tinnitus is reliant upon the generous donations of their supporters and fundraisers. They receive no government support and need to raise half a million pounds each year to continue their UK wide support. Donations can be made via www.justgiving.com/BTA

Not an illness or disease, tinnitus is a term that describes the sensation of hearing a noise in the absence of an external sound. The noise can have virtually any quality. Ringing, whistling, and buzzing are common, but more complex sounds may also be reported. Troublesome tinnitus can be very distressing for the affected individual, and issues may arise with sleep, concentration and mood. However, in many cases, subtle changes in people’s environment can address these issues, and improve quality of life.

The experienced team at the BTA understands the impact that tinnitus can have on the lives of those who experience tinnitus and those who live with them, so seeks to provide the most appropriate and expert advice and information free of charge – via a confidential freephone helpline on 0800 018 0527 and online at www.tinnitus.org.uk. The BTA can also post printed and audio information and advice.

Visit the BTA’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishTinnitusAssociation and follow the BTA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BritishTinnitus

For more information

Nic Wray, Communications Manager

nic@tinnitus.org.uk /0114 250 9933/ 07816 827304

Emily Broomhead, Projects Manager

emily@tinnitus.org.uk / 0114 250 9933

British Tinnitus Association

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