Tuesday, February 5, 2013


Tinnitus Awareness Week in the UK - Feb. 4-10, 2013

 
It's Tinnitus Awareness Week in the UK!  Action on Hearing Loss, a UK based awareness, support and advocacy group, has been extremely active in building awareness of hearing loss and protection issues as well as providing a forum for advice and support for those living with hearing issues.  This week, they are focused on building awareness of Tinnitus.
What is Tinnitus? Tinnitus is a medical term used to describe the perception of noise (usually ringing or buzzing)either in one ear, both ears or in the head, when there is no corresponding external sound.

Who is affected? It can happen to anyone, but typically occurs in adults over 65.  It can be continuous or intermittent and it presents, in those affected, differently.

How does it occur?  Tinnitus can be the result of repeated or single exposure to loud noises, accompanied with general hearing loss, a response to certain medications or as a result from emotional stress.

Many service veterans and people who have been exposed to loud music  develop tinnitus. Prolonged exposure to loud noise can damage the tiny, hair-like sensory cells (hair cells) within the cochlear, which is a fluid-filled chamber in the inner ear. This can lead to permanent hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

While some occurrences of tinnitus are unavoidable, the good news is that noise induced tinnitus is preventable!

Learn more about the efforts of Action on Hearing Loss:  http://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/

 

Check back here on Thursday or follow us on Facebook for a discussion of preventative steps you can take to avoid and treat tinnitus!

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