Tinnitus Awareness Week 2011, organised by the British Tinnitus Association (BTA) - the only national charity solely dedicated to supporting those with tinnitus - ran from 4th to the 11th February and proved to be a huge success in raising the awareness of the condition. With a staggering 10% of the adult population experiencing the condition at some point in their life, the UK-wide awareness campaign aimed to ensure that as many people as possible were informed about the condition and the free support services that the BTA provides.
The 2011 campaign focussed on risks associated with prolonged exposure to loud music and the BTA teamed up with its ambassador radio presenter and international DJ Eddy Temple Morris to reach the music community via events, promotional activities and media interviews.
A comprehensive events programme was compiled and promoted in order to reach people across the UK. To mark the launch of Tinnitus Awareness Week an event was held at Quo Vadis in London which was attended by members of the press and the general public, including BTA members and many musicians. Representatives of the BTA gave out information and advice, radio presenter and international DJ Eddy Temple Morris was interviewed and shared his personal experiences of tinnitus, and bespoke fitted earplugs were available.
Throughout the week hospitals and health care centres across the country also held tinnitus awareness events, and regional and local tinnitus support groups got involved by providing information and hosting talks on tinnitus. The Royal College of Nursing hosted a conference Tinnitus and Me during Tinnitus Awareness Week and the speakers at the event included representatives of the BTA and the Charitys Ambassador. Also NHS Evidence released the 2011 Annual Evidence Update on tinnitus to coincide with the Awareness week.
Support was also received from the Rt Hon Malcolm Bruce M.P. who submitted an Early Day Motion in support of Tinnitus Awareness Week, the BTA and the need for greater awareness amongst G.P.'s. The BTA is now urging its members as well as people with tinnitus or an interest in supporting those with tinnitus to encourage their MP to sign this motion.
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