British Tinnitus Association

Many of the delegates described this year's Conference as 'the best ever'. We were please to see a large number of new and particularly younger faces amongst the delegates. The weather smiled on us once more, as it always has in Cambridge, and we enjoyed a range or stimulating, absorbing and entertaining presentations from all our polished speakers.

BTA Chair Dr Ewart Davies, in his opening address, was delighted to be able to introduce some excellent speakers, all of whom were new to us. He told delegates there is a real possibility that, in conjunction with the University College London, a professorship of tinnitus research can be established in their new Ear Institute.

Left to Right - Dr Ewart Davies, Jack Shapiro, Councillor David White and Professor Jonathan Ashmore

The Mayor of Cambridge, Councillor David White, warmly welcomed delegates to the city. He understood the problems tinnitus could bring as he had a friend and also a colleague from suffered from it.

Professor Jonathan Ashmore, Bernard Katz Professor of Biophysics at University College London and director designate of the new UCL Ear Institute spoke of tinnitus as a key research field with opportunities for ringing in the changes. He told the conference there had been a number of notable successes in recent research in hearing and deafness. The future holds much promise and, with a wide array if new approaches, researchers may now be able to make real advances in understanding those areas of hearing, including tinnitus, which have not received their due attention.

Dr Robert Marchbanks, consultant scientist and director for the Non-invasive Intracranial Pressure Assessment (NIPA) Unit at Southampton University and an honorary senior lecturer for the School of Medicine at UCL, gave a fascinating account of how the MMS-11 TMD Cerebral and Cochlear Fluid Pressure Analyser was invented. Not only has it travelled to the top of Mount Everest, but is now being used is space by NASA.

Dr Robert Marchbanks, Mr Ivor Donaldson and Professor Jonathan Ashmore

Mr Ivor Donaldson, lead clinician in tinnitus management at University Hospital's NHS Trust and honorary clinical senior lecturer in Surgery at the University of Birmingham, talked about tinnitus from his personal perspective and had the audience in gales of laughter with the account of his days as a medical student. The knowledge of tinnitus had increased so much since the days when he was given it as a subject to study.

There was also a very interesting question and answer session. The panel of Mr Ivor Donaldson, Dr Peter Tungland, Chair of BTA's Professional Adviser's Committee (PAC), and Mrs Carol Gupwell, Audiologist, answered questions from both lay and professional delegates.

Left to right - Mr Ivor Donaldson, Dr Ewart Davies, Dr Peter Tungland and Carol Gupwell

Following the conference dinner, former BTA Chair and Vice-President, Jack Shapiro, was presented with a signed citation in honour of his years of tireless work on behalf of people with tinnitus. Dr Geoffrey Bates, OBE, was given a vice-presidency for his work as honorary treasurer and charity Secretary.

Dr Davies addresses delegates at the Conference Dinner

Jack Shapiro receives his citation at the Conference Dinner and Dr Geoffrey Bates, OBE, accepts his vice presidency