Issue May 2007

Research Trials>>
Thank you for volunteering

We have received dozens of requests from across the UK - and all over the world for that matter - to volunteer for the research trials taking place in the UK this year. Some of the trials have already started and we thank those who have volunteered for the trials for getting involved and for helping to us to bring a cure for tinnitus closer. We cannot comment on the trials while they are in progress, however as soon as the outcomes are known, we will be publishing the the results on our website and let you know via the eNewsletter.



Cross Sensory Modulation>>
Over 90 take part in trial

The Cross Sensory Modulation trial at Leicester is underway. ATR has extended the funding of this trial so that more patients can take part. Over 90 patients have been involved so far. The trial is continuing to get further supporting evidence for the technique. If successful, this will help form the basis for its commercial development in treating tinnitus.

Watch this space for more information about this and other research trials underway!



Digital hearing aids>>
More evidence needed

The American-based Better Hearing Institute claim that around 50% of people with ringing in their ears report improvement when wearing hearing aids. They also state that tinnitus sufferers who wear a single hearing aid, still experience ringing in the ear not fitted with a hearing aid.

Action for Tinnitus Research are encouraging the hearing research community to undertake further studies into this phenomenon. We believe that if this beneficial effect is proven to be more than co-incidental - it could improve the lives of a significant number of people.



Media Case Studies>>
Living with Tinnitus

Dr Jeff Waldock of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, developed tinnitus after a viral infection in 1993 and, like most sufferers, found it extremely difficult to cope with the constant whistle he could hear 24 hours a day...
Read Dr Waldock's story



Thank You>>
Over 30 Media Ambassadors

The Regional Ambassadors programme continues to go from strength to strength with new supporters volunteering all the time. We are having a great deal of success in placing Ambassadors' case studies in the regional and national media and we would urge any other tinnitus sufferers to come forward and volunteer. To date, over thirty people have volunteered to become media ambassadors for ATR.

Many thanks to all our ambassadors who have volunteered so far, please keep up the good work, which we are sure is helping to get the message heard.
Join our growing army of media ambassadors




Meet the Trustees>>
Keith Metcalf

Keith Metcalf has been a trustee of ATR for over a year, and has been contributor to the charity for several years. His interest in Tinnitus was first triggered in the mid-nineties when he became aware of a work colleague's suffering...
Read Keith's story...



In the News>>
Gabapentin Ineffective for Tinnitus Relief

The ATA report: Gabapentin is no more effective than a placebo in alleviating tinnitus say researchers who investigated if gabapentin, widely used to relieve nerve pain, would be therapeutic for tinnitus sufferers. During the eight-week trial, 59 participants took 900 to 3600 mg of gabapentin daily and 56 received placebo (an inactive pill).



Bar and Club Workers: Industry not Prepared

Reported on BBC News: Campaigners have attacked the music and entertainment industry for not preparing measures to protect the hearing of bar and club workers.

The Royal National Institute for Deaf People said staff working where loud music was played should get ear plugs. A poll of 200 businesses showed that over half of employers have no plans to make hearing protection available - despite new laws coming in next year.



JustGiving>>
Help us raise funds for research

We need your help to raise funds for the research programmes and patient studies planned for this year. A great way of doing this is via justgiving! You can do everything online - justgiving collect the send all monies raised and send it directly to the charity - so you don't have to worry about collecting funds and chasing people for money.

Fundraising Ideas:

  • A sponsored walk
  • A sponsored parachute jump
  • A sponsored silence
  • Wedding or birthday celebration
  • In memory of

You don't need to ask us for permission to raise funds - you can go directly to www.justgiving.com and start raising funds today! However, if you do decide to raise funds, we would love to hear about - so we can support your initiative.
Donate directly or raise funds through justgiving...