The Hidden Hearing clinic in Onchan has announced that it will be supporting the British Tinnitus Association during February.

To help raise awareness of the condition, Hidden Hearing will donate ?5 for each free hearing assessment carried out.

Hidden Hearing estimates that Tinnitus affects a huge number of sufferers on the Isle of Man, many of which have not been diagnosed due to a lack of understanding of the condition and limited awareness of the help that is available.

As one of the leading providers of private hearing healthcare in the Isle of Man and UK, Hidden Hearing has joined forces with the British Tinnitus Association and Wake Smith & Tofields solicitors to offer support and advice during Tinnitus Awareness Week (8-14th February).

The British Tinnitus Association (BTA), the only UK charity solely dedicated to supporting those with tinnitus, is set to host its fourth annual Tinnitus Awareness Week (8th-14th February 2010) which will be the focus of a UK-wide campaign aiming to encourage better tinnitus awareness.

Guy Wolstencroft (pictured), registered hearing aid dispenser, will be available at the Hidden Hearing clinic in Onchan to answer questions and hand out information on Tinnitus during the month.

Tinnitus is a term that describes the sensation of hearing a noise in the absence of an external sound.  The noise can have virtually any quality: ringing, whistling, and buzzing are common but more complex sounds may also be reported.  Tinnitus can be very distressing for the affected individual, and issues may arise with sleep, concentration and mood.

If you would like to find out more about Tinnitus or to arrange a free hearing assessment, call Guy on 617683 or visit the clinic at 15b Village Walk, Onchan.

This year, the BTA hopes to reach thousands of people of all ages across the country with a campaign that centres on two specific themes: the effect of stress on tinnitus and the risks of exposure to loud music.