New South Lakes self-help group launched for tinnitus sufferers
8:30am Tuesday 21st February 2012 in
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A NEW self-help group aims to help people who suffer from ‘ringing’ in their ears.
Up to 10 people have attended the early sessions of the local Tinnitus group in the South Lakes Foyer, at Stricklandgate, Kendal.
It has been set up by Vera Coakley, who has suffered tinnitus for 12 years and wanted to find people with the same problem.
Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month at the foyer – and already Vera believes more people with the malady could benefit by joining in.
Although there is no cure for tinnitus, Mrs Coakley said there were many sound therapy treatments which could help dampen down the noise and produce more pleasant sounds.
She also said that just being able to talk about the problem with others in a similar situation could provide a major boost for people.
“There is a real need to get this information out there because nobody in Kendal should feel alone if they are struggling with tinnitus,” she said Mrs Coakley, of Stonecross Gardens, started with
tinnitus after a train ride 12 years ago, when she could continue to hear the rattling of the train after getting off.
When it first begins, it can be a frightening experience, according to a Natland resident who has been visiting the self-help group.
Caroline Lawson has suffered from tinnitus for around 20 years after she claims it started after working working in a factory. Sounds manifest as a hissing.
“If it’s noisy it gets worse but once it’s a bit quieter, I hear a nice singing noise.
“It was really frightening to begin with but it isn’t going to go away so you have no option but to get on with your life.
“Learning about different symptoms helps everybody because people have different ideas about how to deal with it.”
For more information on the group, which meets between 1.30pm and 3pm, email vera.coakley @hotmail.co.uk.
l Action on Hearing Loss is appealing for young music lovers in Kendal to talk about their listening habits to protect their ears in the future. It says over-exposure to loud music can cause
tinnitus, so people should complete the survey at http://svy.mk/MP3survey. Or go to www. actiononhearingloss.
org.uk/lovey
Article source: http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/9542005.New_South_Lakes_self_help_group_launched_for_tinnitus_sufferers/