National charity, Action on Hearing Loss, has launched a campaign aiming to raise awareness of the condition known as Tinnitus.
This condition consists of hearing sounds which are not caused by an external source, such as a ringing, hissing or buzzing noise in the ears, and it can, according to the charity’s CEO Mark Atkinson:
“… be an isolating experience that leaves people feeling helpless.”
Newport resident, Jessica Berg, aged 31, has recently spoken out about her own experience with the debilitating condition which, her audiologist said:
“… was most likely to have been caused by exposure to loud music over a period of years”.
Never having heard of Tinnitus before, Jessica remembers her reaction, stating that she:
“… started suffering with depression, feeling anxious in crowds, and [her] self-worth took a nose dive”.
In an effort to raise awareness and highlight the possible causes of Tinnitus, Action on Hearing Loss is encouraging people to share their own experiences of the condition on social media, citing the hashtag #ThisIsTinnitus. Atkinson added:
“By encouraging others to take part in the campaign we hope more will share their experiences to shed light on this misunderstood condition and show how it affects them.”
Other effective methods which are often used in campaigns such as this might include leaflet and brochure printing and circulation.