This Tinnitus Awareness Week (3-9 February 2025), Audiology Australia is highlighting the importance of raising awareness of tinnitus as the first step to a future where more Australians can benefit from earlier intervention and protection from the condition.
To raise awareness, Audiology Australia has partnered with Soundfair for its “T is for Tinnitus: Unseen, Unheard, Ignored” campaign, and is drawing attention to the benefits of seeing an Audiology Australia Accredited Audiologist.
Described as the perception of ringing, hissing, buzzing or clicking without an external sound, tinnitus is expected to affect almost two-thirds of Australians in their lifetime.
Just because tinnitus is an invisible condition doesn’t mean it should be ignored, said Audiology Australia Board Member Dr Emma Laird, who lives with tinnitus.
“The people I’ve met who have tinnitus are some of the strongest I know, because they are at the constant mercy of a noise that no one else can hear. Imagine constantly hearing crickets or the hum of a computer fan or hard drive – that’s an example of someone’s experience,” she said.
“Because tinnitus can affect so many of us, raising awareness of tinnitus is everyone’s responsibility. Simple safe listening practices like turning music down when it’s too loud, using hearing protection, or seeing an Audiology Australia audiologist for a hearing check and advice can help you prevent or manage tinnitus.”
Dr Laird said that seeing an Audiology Australia Accredited Audiologist was essential as they could help patients gain an understanding of what is happening when they develop tinnitus and how to look after their hearing.
Importantly, an audiologist won’t just stop treating you after attempting one solution.
“An audiologist can help you explore and try different management strategies. For some people, a hearing aid reduces tinnitus, for others they may need tinnitus counselling, and others might need specialist support from a physiotherapist, dentist, or psychologist,” she said.
First consumer survey
Audiology Australia’s partnership will be used to help Soundfair launch Australia’s first national consumer survey entitled “Living with tinnitus”, which will examine the hidden struggles faced by individuals living with the condition, and the costs to society.
Both Audiology Australia CEO Ms Leanne Emerson and Soundfair CEO Dr Caitlin Barr welcomed the partnership.
“As a leading hearing health charity, Soundfair’s community outreach programs benefit our audiologists in research, while their educational campaigns are well-positioned to highlight to the community the benefits of seeing an audiologist to help manage their hearing loss and tinnitus,” Emerson said.
Dr Barr added: “The backing of Audiology Australia as the country’s peak accrediting body in audiology lends our programs additional credibility and allows us to help spread awareness of our survey and other initiatives to more of the sector and community.”
To find an Audiology Australia Accredited Audiologist, use the Find an Audiologist search tool and click the ‘filter’ to see audiologists specialised in tinnitus treatment.
Click here for more information on tinnitus.
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