Life of Brian

Lord Rix was once known as Brian Rix, the stage and screen comic actor in the 1950s and 60s. He now shows a more serious side in the House of Lords. He was made a life peer for his work for Mencap and people with a learning disability, and he works closely on disability issues with RNID President Lord Jack Ashley, who is deaf.

Brian's own hearing loss is age related, but his tinnitus started when he was a young actor in Harrogate with the White Rose players. "I had tremendously bad sinus and ear trouble as a result of measles aged eight. So I had a double nasal antrostomy [nose operation]. The man who did mine was a butcher and almost took away both bones on both sides. It was a terrible mess, I had a very bad haemorrhage and all the rest of it. As a result, I have had ear problems." He has had tinnitus for 40 years but only becomes conscious of it when he thinks about it in moments of silence.

Holiday harmony

Rerad our suggestions on how travellers with tinnitus can keep stress to a minimum during the busy holiday season. Some people report that flying can aggravate their tinnitus, while others may be less aware of their tinnitus during a flight as noise from the engines, passenger activity and air conditioning provide a welcome distraction.

Time travel

We check out new products and old favourites that are ideal when you're on the move. Whatever your travel plans, there's something to suit everyone; from a basic travel alarm clock to a state of the art MP3 player.