Social media campaign encourages people with Tinnitus to make video sharing their experience

Action on Hearing Loss Scotland is urging Perth residents who have tinnitus to join the conversation about the condition on the charity’s social media channels during Tinnitus Week.

For the awareness week, which lasts from February 4-10, Action on Hearing Loss Scotland is asking people on social media to describe what their tinnitus sounds like and explain how it affects them using the hashtag #ThisIsTinnitus.

Described as a ringing, whooshing or hissing in the ears, tinnitus can be triggered by over-exposure to loud noise like music.

One in 10 people in the UK have experienced tinnitus at least once. Scientists are still baffled as to why the brain creates this repetitive sound.

Teri Devine, director of Action on Hearing Loss Scotland, said: “Tinnitus can be isolating and leave people feeling helpless.

“By encouraging people with the condition from Perth to take part in our social media campaign, we hope they will see they are not alone and can find out ways which may minimise the impact of tinnitus in their everyday lives.

“Celebrities Phillip Schofield, Susanna Reid and Will.i.am have spoken about their ongoing struggles with tinnitus, and, this year, musician KT Tunstall is helping the charity’s #ThisIsTinnitus social media campaign by sharing her own video.”

To share your experiences of living with tinnitus, make a short video clip and post it on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #ThisIsTinnitus.

Action on Hearing Loss Scotland can be found at twitter.com/ hearinglossSCO and www. instagram.com/action onhearinglossscotland

If you think you have tinnitus, see your GP who will check your ears and, if needed, refer you to a specialist for tests and support.

See www.actionon hearingloss.org.uk/ tinnitusweek