On Tinnitus Awareness Day, March 22, the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, the largest charity representing the nine million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK, is running an event in Derry offering support and advice to people with tinnitus and their families.

While no safe medical treatments exist to alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus, RNID will highlight to people what equipment, publications and advice is available.

Experts will speak to the audience about the condition, how it can be managed effectively and the benefits of alternative therapies.

Brian Symington, director of RNID NI, said: "Imagine hearing a constant humming, ringing or buzzing, which you can not turn off and which no one else can hear. This is a reality for some people who have tinnitus, a condition experienced as noises in the ears or head. It can be so severe it leads to sleep disturbances and disruption to relationships and working life.

"Tinnitus is a neglected medical condition which can be seriously debilitating, even to the point of clinical depression.

"Through organising events such as this, lobbying medical research companies to investigate the condition more thoroughly and publishing self help books, RNID is doing all it can to ensure that the lives of millions of people with tinnitus are improved."

RNID also runs a Tinnitus helpline for those who are unable to attend the event and it can be contacted at freephone 0808 808 6666 or e-mail tinnitushelpline@rnid.org.uk.

From Belfast Telegraph