THIS Scotland 2019 promises to rival the previous year’s status as the UK’s largest publicly attended tinnitus focused event during Tinnitus Week. This year’s event will be even better with many well informed and talented guest presenters guests and experts. It will be held at The Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow on Saturday 9th February 2019. We will be talking about how tinnitus is a problem and offer many practical solutions. Here is Alan Hopkirk’s summary of the event.
Both tinnitus and hearing are often invisible to all but the sufferer! The Tinnitus and Hearing Information Show (THIS) takes place at The Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow on 10th February 2018. THIS follows the success of the inaugural Glasgow Tinnitus and Hearing Information Show in 2017. THIS Tinnitus and Hearing Information Show Scotland 2018 aims to make understanding Tinnitus and Hearing simple and answer what to do if it affects you!
Goals for The Tinnitus and Hearing Information Show – THIS
THIS coincides with Tinnitus Week and aims to raise awareness of the condition. Tinnitus is actually very common and comes in many forms. Data on the number of people in Scotland with tinnitus varies considerably. We can be confident that there are in excess of 500,000 people with tinnitus in Scotland alone and this number could be as high as 1 million. Fortunately, the vast majority of people naturally adapt to the condition with little or no side effects. However for the remainder, (still running into thousands) tinnitus can have a huge effect on their lives. This means sleepless nights, absence from work, medication, some with side effects and mental health referrals. These all place a strain on family relationships. THIS aims to show that effective early intervention is possible and can benefit both to the individual and society in general.
Increased Awareness of Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
One of the problems with tinnitus, as with hearing loss, is that the condition is invisible, even to those closest to the sufferer. This is also evident in the way that health professionals often underestimate the impact of tinnitus and hearing loss. It is a big step for someone to seek medical advice or help and our message is that their concerns should be taken seriously. THIS will encourage key health professionals to take a moment to discuss what their patient is telling them and what they might really be concerned about.
Engagement of General Public and Healthcare Professionals
THIS is open to the general public and healthcare professionals. We look forward to welcoming GPs, district nurses and NHS audiologists. The show will focus on educating those in need of the services available both via the NHS and the private sector. One of the aims of the show will be to increase the uptake of free hearing services within the NHS, and also specialist services within the private sector. This offering over and above NHS services may be appropriate for some individuals. Whilst cost is a factor, the clear benefit is an immediate referral and intensive one-to-one interaction and support.
The Importance of Early Intervention in Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
A hearing test should not just be sought when there are obvious problems or when hearing loss can no longer be denied. It should be viewed as a proactive health check in its own right because of the known link between a loss of hearing and cognitive decline, such as dementia. The evidence is clear that a hearing test should also be a priority for anyone diagnosed with tinnitus. In addition, there are other less obvious hearing-related conditions that include a risk of falling, cancer, heart problems, kidney disease, depression, diabetes and dementia.
Advances in Tinnitus and Hearing Technology
One of the purposes of the show is to inform attendees of advances in hearing technology. We aim to improve knowledge for the general public and health practitioners as to what’s available to help with hearing loss and tinnitus. Experts from leading hearing device manufacturers will be on hand to discuss the features of modern hearing devices and how they can help to enhance your quality of life.
Discreet and Invisible Hearing Devices
Stigma regarding hearing aids and devices is still very real in spite of what we might wish. However, advances in technology mean that devices can be genuinely invisible or at least smaller and more discreet than ever before. Discretion is subjective and one of the benefits of the show is the ability to see for yourself how invisible these devices can be. Perhaps your partner will genuinely comment “I can’t see anything!” which of course is the point.
Connectivity With Electronic Media
Even with some of the most discreet hearing devices, we can now connect directly with personal electronic devices that form a key part of our daily lives. Boosted personal hearing can help create seamless links between television, entertainment systems, laptops and computers and especially mobile phones.
Guest Speakers and Attendees
Distinguished guests and speakers from a wide background will offer differing perspectives across hearing, tinnitus, technological and treatment advances.
Dr James Jackson
We are delighted to welcome Dr James Jackson of Leeds Trinity University as the principal speaker. Dr Jackson is currently heading a research project for the British Tinnitus Association. He can add his own experience to his depth of knowledge as he is also a hearing impaired tinnitus sufferer. He will describe how tinnitus sufferers can make a real difference to their quality of life.
Dr William M.Whitner and Jack A. Holman
Dr Whitner is a senior investigator scientist at the Medical Research Council, Chief Scientist Office and Institute of Hearing Research. He is based at the New Lister Building, Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Jack Holman, who is a PhD student will assist with an interactive presentation on “Research Horizons in Hearing and Health”.
Alan Hopkirk
Alan Hopkirk is Clinical Director of The Invisible Hearing Clinic. Dubbed “hearing guru” by BBC Radio Scotland’s Stephen Jardine in a recent interview on tinnitus. Alan advocates for better knowledge of tinnitus, hearing loss and hearing “wellness” in general. He knows how important access to easier help is in having good health and quality of life.
David Foley
David is a Fellow and long-standing council member of BSHAA (British Society of Hearing and Audiologists). BSHAA is the body which sets the practice standards for audiologists in private practice. (The Health and Care Professions Council, HCPC, is the regulator). The BSHAAs Customer Care Scheme (CCS) is crucial to this. His talk will cover the benefits and protection the scheme offers to the consumer.
Gavin Bateman
Gavin is Head of Finance and Administration at the British Tinnitus Association. He is closely involved in delivering the charity’s goal of a world where nobody suffers with tinnitus. Gavin will present on “Kids Talk Tinnitus” highlighting that children suffer from tinnitus too.
Frazer Patterson
Frazer is an experienced audiologist having worked directly with the public. He currently liaises with hearing professionals in the public, private and education sectors. He is the Scottish manager for Phonak, which is a Swiss-based hearing device manufacturer. Phonak is a world leader in hearing technology. Frazer will be presenting on “Hearing Beyond Hearing Aids”
Alice Alkins
Alice is the UK Business Manager for Lyric which is the only truly invisible extended wear hearing solution. Her presentation is “The Most Beautiful Hearing Aid”
Neil Smith and “Ginger”
Neil volunteers for Hearing Dogs for The Deaf. His talk will be “How Ginger Changed My Life” It contains an interactive display of the discipline required by a hearing dog.
BTA Support Groups
Betty Perrers has tinnitus and has run the Edinburgh and Lothian’s BTA support group for ten years. She is an example to new sufferers, of life with tinnitus, having initially been devastated by the condition.
What to Expect at the Show
The show will provide accessible information delivered in a concise and entertaining way. You can then follow up with our individual experts on an informal one-to-one basis during session breaks at the information points. You will have the opportunity to talk to others just like you. They have experienced the same issues and therefore you can learn what worked for them.
How to Register
Spaces are strictly limited, so act now and reserve your free place here.
Show Programme
Please click below in order to download your copy of the show programme.
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The Inaugural Glasgow Hearing and
Tinnitus Information Show
Wednesday, 8th February 2017, 10am – 5pm
Grand Central Hotel, Central Station, Glasgow, G1 3SF
