HI Kent Tinnitus Support takes to the road to support “Tea for Tinnitus” campaign

22/05/2017 HI Kent is supporting the British Tinnitus Association’s “Tea for Tinnitus” campaign by holding meetings in new locations in June 2017.

Friday 2nd June 2017 3-5pm Crowborough – Tinnitus Tea Party

Crowborough Community Centre Cafe

Pine Grove, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 1FE

A chance to meet other people with tinnitus plus

eat cake!

Friday 9th June 2017 2-4pm Canterbury Meeting

Northgate Ward Community Centre

Military Road, Canterbury, CT1 1YX

Talk by Dave Carr from the British Tinnitus

Association

Friday 16th June 2017 2-4pm Rochester Meeting

West Kent Quakers Meeting House

Northgate, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1LS

Talk by Dave Carr from the British Tinnitus Association

Friday 23rd June 2017 2-4pm Dartford Meeting

Meeting Room A (upstairs – lift available)

St Anselms Parish Centre

89 West Hill, Dartford, Kent, DA1 2HJ

Talk by David Stockdale, Chief Executive of

the British Tinnitus Association

To find out more or to book a place at a support meeting, contact Hi Kent, 18 Brewer Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1RU on 01622 691151 or email enquiries@hikent.org.uk

Dave Carr, BTA Volunteering and Engagement Manager comments: “Being among people who have the problem, listening to their experiences and how they have managed to handle things, is a tremendous help for the individual. I witness this first hand when attending group meetings. It is amazing seeing the difference it makes to people, especially those who have recently been diagnosed.”

Tinnitus is defined as the experience of sounds with no external source, most commonly ringing or buzzing, but sometimes experienced as whooshing, clicking or even music. Many people aren’t troubled by sounds they hear, but for around 10%, the condition has a significant impact on their quality of life, often linked to stress, anxiety or sometimes depression.

Dave adds: “Tinnitus can be an isolating condition, with friends and family struggling to understand how it feels to adapt to the presence of loud or persistent noises. Some people choose to bring a partner or family member to the meetings, which can often help both parties understand more about the condition and the experiences or behaviours it can bring.”

Case studies and experts are available for interview/photo opportunities to support this story. More information about Tea for Tinnitus can be found at www.teafortinnitus.co.uk

Ends

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 335,000 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