The Isle of Man Government Department of Health and Social Care's Audiology Service, based at Noble's Hospital in Douglas, has pledged its support of the British Tinnitus Association (BTA) by signing up as a Corporate Member, helping to raise awareness of tinnitus and to support the BTA's services helping those affected by the condition.
The BTA is the only national UK charity solely dedicated to those with tinnitus - a term that describes the sensation of hearing a noise in the absence of an external sound. For the last 35 years the charity has supported the one in ten people in the UK who experience tinnitus and in particular the 10% of those with tinnitus who find it severely affects their quality of life.
The Isle of Man Audiology Service provides a comprehensive tinnitus service to its patients and it continues to build on and expand services currently offered. It recognises that a close working relationship with the BTA is a fundamental part of the service given the extra support and information the BTA can provide to patients.
Mr Stephen Griffiths, Head of the Isle of Man Audiology Service said:
'We have had first-hand experience of working with the BTA at our tinnitus information days, sign posting patients to the BTA and the recent inauguration of the Island's very first tinnitus support group. We are very pleased once again to be corporate members of the BTA. The support that the BTA provides to us as clinicians and of course, to our patients is of immeasurable value given the distress tinnitus can cause. We are only too pleased to reciprocate that support with our continued membership.'
Helen Goldsby-West, Head of Fundraising and Development for the British Tinnitus Association, said:
'Last year, the BTA supported over 335,000 people. To do this, we are reliant upon the generous donations of our fundraisers and supporters, and contributions from Corporate Members like The Hearing Clinic. We receive no government support and need to raise over £500,000 this year to continue our much needed work. The Corporate Membership scheme is a great way for organisations to demonstrate their commitment to our work and the wider tinnitus community. We are extremely grateful to Stephen and the team at the Isle of Man Audiology Service for their backing in our endeavours.'
The Isle of Man Audiology Service is based at Noble's Hospital in Douglas and provides free at the point of delivery audiology services similar to the UK NHS. The Isle of Man Government's provision of National Health Services is through the Isle of Man National Health Service Act 2001, and therefore is not part the UK NHS. The British Tinnitus Association website is www.tinnitus.org.uk.
