Deafness Research UK opens up expert knowledge base to tinnitus sufferers

PR Log (Press Release) – Mar 18, 2008 – Deafness Research UK has organised a rare opportunity for the public to meet the scientists who are working to find treatments and cures for tinnitus, and find out about the cutting edge tinnitus research in progress. The event, which is aptly named ‘Meet The Scientists’, will bring together one of the UK’s most significant gatherings ever of tinnitus experts and sufferers under one roof,  and will look at some of the following key themes:

Does caffeine really make tinnitus worse?
Can you train your brain to ignore tinnitus?
Will there ever be a cure for tinnitus?

Meet The Scientists will take place on Thursday 27 March 2008, between 2pm and 5pm, at the Friends Meeting House on Euston Road In London. Further information is available on the Deafness Research UK website, at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk  
Journalist press pass requests are invited. Please e-mail your media request to jon.gardner@beyondpr.co.uk
The event, which is free of charge, is the perfect opportunity for those whose lives are affected by tinnitus to find out more about the debilitating condition and current research into tinnitus. Speakers at this special event will include Prof David McAlpine, Prof Carole Hackney, and Dr Lindsay St Claire.
As well as presentations from some of the world leaders in tinnitus research, there will be a Question & Answer session giving sufferers a chance to quiz scientists and clinicians. Sufferers can also exchange their tips and experiences of tinnitus with each other. There will be an Information Centre open throughout the event, where attendees can get information and advice about tinnitus and other hearing problems.

Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK, said: ”Meet The Scientists is a rare event, which we hope to repeat in the future if it is a success. From all the feedback we have had so far, we believe there is a real need for a forum of this type to engage with tinnitus sufferers and explain real research projects that offer real hope of treatments and cures.

“About six million people in the UK are affected by tinnitus and it can have a devastating effect on their quality of life. Not enough is known about this very complex condition and we are determined to do something about it.  We are committed to funding leading edge research and providing practical information to health professionals for the benefit of sufferers.”

Deafness Research UK is the country's only charity dedicated to finding new cures, treatments and technologies for the deaf, hard of hearing and other hearing impaired people including tinnitus sufferers.