Issue December 2006

2006 has been a phenomenal year for tinnitus research. We're beginning to see the fruits of our labour and the hope of finding treatments for tinnitus is closer than ever before.

I am delighted that thanks to your support, Action for Tinnitus Research has been able to fund a number of groundbreaking research projects, and that as a charity we are increasingly being recognised for the work we are doing in the field of
tinnitus - and for pushing the boundaries of research.

I would like to thank you for your continued support and for your encouraging letters and offers of assistance.

I would like to wish you a very happy and healthy 2007.

Philip Champ
Chairman



ATR Research News>>
Cross-Sensory Modulation Study

One of the most intriguing tinnitus-related discoveries in the last decade, is a group patients that find that particular kinds of muscle activity or awareness of sensations in other parts of the body can cause measurable decreases or increases in their tinnitus.

Preliminary work in attempting to understand this phenomenon has begun at Leicester Royal Infirmary - supported by Action for Tinnitus Research.
Read about the Cross-Sensory Modulation Study...



Our Senses>>
BBC Radio Four Programme

Claudio Hammond explores the science of taste. Scientists are now discovering that our perception of taste and flavour does not just come from the tongue, but our eyes, nose and even our ears play a crucial role as well.

This informative programme talks about cross-sensory modulation and how our senses respond to various stimuli, and supports our own research findings.

Listen to the BBC Radio 4 magazine programme - broadcast on Monday, 18th December at 11:00.



Give a gift of hope this Christmas...
4.5 Million people in the UK suffer from tinnitus. Your gift - no matter how small - can help bring the hope of a cure closer. Support our research programme at
www.tinnitus-research.org
Information Sheets>>
Hyperacusis - sensitivity to loud noise

Ever feel you can't face the Christmas and New Year celebrations because of your sensitivity to sound? You could be suffering from hyperacusis!

Hyperacusis is discomfort to noise and enhanced sensitivity to sound. People who suffer from hyperacusis are often unable to tolerate quite ordinary levels of sound. If you think you are overly sensitive to sound... read our article on hyperacusis.



Media Case Studies>>
Living with Tinnitus

Alan Butler of Brockworth, Gloucestershire, first noticed a whistling sound in his ears almost 40 years ago. Assuming it must be coming from the television, he was surprised to discover that the set was switched off and realised the noise must be internal.



In the News>>
Preventing hearing loss in children

Newswise report: the first-ever conference dedicated to understanding and preventing noise-induced hearing loss in children provides the first-ever detailed guidelines on safe volume levels for listening to the Apple iPod portable music player with earphones. Read the Newswise report

Noisy Christmas toys can damage hearing
Deafness Research news story: Many toys available this Christmas could damage your child's hearing according to new research by Deafness Research UK. Working with researcher Dr Brad Backus at UCL's Ear Institute in London, the charity tested the noise levels produced by a selection of toys available to buy this Christmas. Almost all (14 out of 15) of the toys tested produced noise levels above 85dB(A) when held close to the
ear - the safety limit recommended by experts.
Read Deafness Research news story...