British Tinnitus Association

Information provided here does not imply endorsement by the British Tinnitus Association.

June 2010 © British Tinnitus Association

Information provided here does not imply endorsement by the British Tinnitus Association.

This information is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always see your GP / medical professional

These information sheets contain details of various products, devices, people and places etc which may help you manage your tinnitus – contact details are listed.

Contents:
• Hearing Protection
• Noise Generators / Masking Devices
• Natural Sound Devices
• Pillow Speakers / Bedside Maskers
• Selection of CDs
• Self-Help / Support
• Alternative / Complementary Therapy Contacts
• Claiming Compensation
• Welfare Benefits / Pensions
• General Advice
• Reading
• Websites

Hearing Protection
Advanced Communication Solutions are dedicated to providing the best strategies for hearing conservation. Their products include:
For vocalists in noisy bands ER - 9 earplugs
For musicians and disc-jockeys Elacin R-15 & ER-25 musicians earplugs
For nightclub visitors Elacin ER-15 musicians earplugs
For motorcyclists Elacin biopact

The range of Elacin Products are available from:
ACS Ltd, Unit 22-23 Beaumont Close, Beaumont Industrial Estate, Banbury, Oxon OX16 1TG   
Tel: 01295 266 665
Email: info@hearingprotection.co.uk 
Website: www.hearingprotection.co.uk

Other ear protection products are available from:
Puretone Limited, 9-10 Henley Business Park, Trident Close, Medway City Estate, Rochester, Kent ME2 4FR 
Tel: 01634 719 427
Email: tinnitus@puretone.net
Website: www.puretone.net

Earplugs for Flying
Earplanes are said to help to relieve the discomfort associated with air pressure changes during flight and are available from larger chemists such as Boots.
Website www.boots.com

Noise Generators / Masking Devices
Wearable sound generators should be provided by your Audiology or ENT Clinic, however, provision of equipment within the NHS varies widely from clinic to clinic, depending on the amount of money available. Contact your local health professional.

Natural Sound Devices

Sound Oasis S650 Relaxer
6 unique therapy sounds & 6 relaxing nature sounds. Additional features include extra long sound tracks, a timer setting switch – 30, 60, 90 minutes or constant and an alarm clock with a choice of sound or buzzer to wake you. Ideal to use with a pillow speaker. Can be battery powered.
L339 Sound Oasis S650 £45.83
Accessories:
L339A extra sound card - Ear Therapy £11.69    L339B extra sound card - Spa Retreat £11.69  
Contact RNID Solutions Tel: 01733 361 199   

Naturcare Relaxation device
Complete with built-in electronic timer, this device features 7 soothing sounds to relax you at work or in the home. Available from: Puretone Limited, 10 Henley Business Park, Trident Close, Medway City Estate, Rochester, Kent ME2 4FR. Tel: 01634 719 427 
Email: tinnitus@puretone.net  Website: www.puretone.net

Pillow Speakers / Bedside Maskers
Roberts Radio Pillow Speaker 
Listen to the radio, a CD or cassette without disturbing your partner. Suitable for most equipment incorporating a 3.5mm headphone socket. Volume control. £9.00 UK, £10 overseas, including post and packing  - available from the BTA office.
Tel: 0114 250 9933

Sound Pillow - lets you relax to the sounds you want to hear, without disturbing the person next to you. Available from:
Puretone Limited, 10 Henley Business Park, Trident Close, Medway City Estate, Rochester, Kent ME2 4FR 
Tel: 01634 719 427 
Email: tinnitus@puretone.net
Website: www.puretone.net

Selection of CDs
There are many types of relaxation CDs available, it is worth trying different ones in order to find one that suits you.

Sea on Deal Beach - Pleasant sounds of the seashore available on CD from the BTA office.
Price £7.50 UK, £10 overseas, inclusive of post and packing.
Tel: 0114 250 9933

Deep Relaxation – A Journey. This CD is an introduction to deep relaxation, comprising of  a series of six deep relaxation sessions which are intended to be followed over a matter of days or weeks. Available from the BTA office.
Price £7.50 UK, £10 overseas, inclusive of postage and packing.
Tel: 0114 250 9933

White Noise CD – free of charge on request from the BTA office. Tel: 0114 250 9933

Pink Noise CD - free of charge on request from the BTA office. Tel 0114 250 9933

Tinnitus - BTA Information CD - all the facts about tinnitus and also simulated tinnitus sounds – free of charge from the BTA Office. Tel: 0114 250 9933

New World Music has an extensive range of relaxing music, natural sound CDs.
Tel: 01986 891600  
Website: www.newworldmusic.com

Abstract Sounds CD – a collection of specifically designed sounds such as pulsing white noise, pink noise and cosmic echoes to help you relax. T602 Abstract Sounds  £11.99 - available from RNID Solutions.  Tel: 01733 361 199

Everyday Sounds CD – a selection of domestic ambient sounds like a purring cat, the whirring of an electric fan and the rustling of paper. T603 Everyday sounds £11.99 - available from RNID Solutions. Tel: 01733 361 199

Self-Help / Support
Self- help groups and contacts - The BTA has a list of groups and contacts in the UK and Eire. The groups are run by volunteers, the majority of whom have experienced tinnitus, and can therefore provide support. Many hold group meetings and events, all of which you can find out by contacting them. The contacts are also volunteers who provide help and support - they do not however, hold meetings or events.
Contact the BTA office for more details on 0114 250 9933 or email info@tinnitus.org.uk

Alternative / Complementary Therapy Contacts
You should always ensure that any practitioner you choose is suitably qualified and registered. The following umbrella organisations represent the interests of the alternative and complementary sector.

The British Complementary Medicine Association manages a register of hundreds of complementary medicine therapists specifically aimed at putting members of the public in touch with suitable qualified practitioners.
For further details contact: BCMA, PO box 5122, Bournemouth, BH8 0WG 
Tel: 0845 345 5977
Email:info@bcma.co.uk 
Website: www.bcma.co.uk

The Institute for Complementary Medicine ICM, Unit 25, Tavern Quay Business Centre, Sweden Gate, London SE16 7TX
Tel: 020 7231 5855     Email: info@i-c-m.org.uk     Website: www.i-c-m.org.uk

The British Register of Complementary Practitioners, ICM, Unit 25, Tavern Quay Business Centre, Sweden Gate, London SE16 7TX
Tel: 020 7231 5855
Email: info@i-c-m.org.uk
Website: www.i-c-m.org.uk

The Prince of Wales’s Foundation for Integrated Healthcare - A charity established at the personal initiative of His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, to develop training, best practice and regulation in the delivery of an integrated healthcare system
For further details contact: 34-41 Dallington Street, London EC1V 0BB
Tel: 020 3119 3100
Email: contactus@fih.org.uk 
Website: www.fih.org.uk

Claiming Compensation
Useful Addresses
Department for Work and Pensions - see your local telephone directory for details.

Service Personnel & Veterans Agency - The Service Personnel & Veterans Agency is an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Defence. Its mission is to deliver modern, high-quality, customer-focused services to war disablement pensioners, war widow(er)s, their dependants and carers and other veterans; and to deliver them consistently, efficiently and effectively in recognition of the many extraordinary and unique personal sacrifices made in defence of the nation. Service Personnel & Veterans Agency (SPVA), Room 8102 Norcross,Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire FY5 3WP
Freephone helpline: 0800 169 22 77 
Textphone: 0800 169 34 58
Email: veterans.help@spva.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.veterans-uk.info

Welfare benefits / Pensions
Dial Doncaster – Disability Advisory Service, for details of any local branches near you where you can get information on claiming benefits, help with application forms, advice about appeals, tribunals etc. DIAL, Unit 9 Shaw Wood Business Park, Shaw Wood Way, Doncaster, DN2 5TB  Tel: 01302 327 800
Email: informationenquiries@dialuk.org.uk 
Website: www.dialuk.info

The Royal British Legion is a UK charity that provides financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Forces, and their dependants.
Tel: 08457 725 725 (charged at local rate) 10am - 4pm Monday – Friday
Website: www.britishlegion.org.uk

Ex-Services Mental Health Welfare Society provide advice on War Pensions for ex-service people and war widows. For more information contact:  Tyrwhitt House, Oaklawn Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 0BX
Tel: 01372 841600      
Email:contactus@combatstress.org.uk
Website: www.combatstress.com

General Advice
Citizens Advice Bureaux - consult your local telephone directory for details of your nearest branch. Provide free, confidential advice and information.

Independent Local Advice Centres and Local Law Centres - Your library should be able to provide details of any of these in your area.

Reading
Tinnitus - a multidisciplinary approach by Gerhard Andersson, David Baguley, Laurence McKenna, Don McFerran. Provides a broad and detailed account of the recent developments in tinnitus research and clinical management. If you would like to purchase this book online it can be bought through www.buy.at/bta. Simply go to the A-Z of stores and enter the Amazon site. If you buy items here, the BTA will receive a percentage of the purchase price as a donation, but it must be done via www.buy.at/bta . If you buy through the Play.com site on www.buy.at/bta the BTA will receive a percentage of the purchase price as a donation.

An excellent book ‘Self - Help Groups, Getting Started - Keeping Going’ by Judy Wilson, available on Amazon.co.uk – if purchased through the www.buy.at/bta site. a percentage of the purchase price will go to the BTA.

This information is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always see your GP / medical professional