RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.

About this factsheet

This factsheet is part of RNID's Northern Ireland range. It is written for deaf and hard of hearing people. We use the term deaf people to refer to deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people throughout this factsheet.

Read this factsheet to find out:

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a medical term for any noise which people hear either in one ear, both ears or in their head. These sounds do not come from outside the head, although they may occasionally sound as if they do. People experience tinnitus in many different ways but it is normally described as a ringing sound. However some people will hear other sounds such as buzzing, humming, whistling, tunes or songs.

It is important to remember that tinnitus is not a disease. Many people with tinnitus worry that it may have a serious underlying cause. This is rarely the case. We do know that tinnitus can be linked to exposure to loud noise, hearing loss, ear or head injuries, some diseases of the ear, ear infections or emotional stress. In many cases there is no defined cause, and many people with tinnitus have never experienced any of the above and don’t have a hearing loss. Most people with tinnitus have nothing more serious than age-related wear and tear of the ears. 

What are tinnitus support groups?

Tinnitus support groups are run by volunteers and professionals who have experience of tinnitus. They can provide support, friendship and an 'empathetic ear' to other people with tinnitus. Many groups hold regular meetings and events. Contact your local group to find out what’s happening in your area. Group details are listed at the end of this factsheet.

How can tinnitus support groups help me?

People with tinnitus can feel very isolated. Talking to someone who is understanding and supportive, rather than someone who offers pity or expresses regret, can be very helpful. Joining a self-help group gives you the chance to mix with others who have similar experiences to you. You can make new friends and use your experience to help someone else.

We asked people in Northern Ireland what they gained from going to a tinnitus support group. Here are some of the things they had to say:

  • "It is so relaxing to be with a group of people who have experienced the same problems with tinnitus."
  • "Peer support is invaluable when you have tinnitus."
  • "The group I attend is very supportive, it is great to get together with people like myself and chat about anything including tinnitus."
  • "Very interesting, fun and a great bunch of people."

Where to find tinnitus support groups in Northern Ireland

Antrim

Belfast tinnitus self-help group

Contact: John Donaldson, RNID NI, Wilton House, 5 College Square North, Belfast BT1 6AR.

Home First Community Trust Broughshane tinnitus support group

Contact: Rhoda Campbell or Marlene Ritchie, Wilson House Resource Centre, 17 Raceview Road, Broughshane BT42 4JL.

Armagh

Craigavon & Banbridge H&SS Trust tinnitus support group

Contact: Jim Cameron, Cherrytrees resource centre, 1a Edenderry Gardens, Portadown BT63 5EA.

Down

Newry & Mourne H&SS Trust tinnitus support group

Contact: Susan Matson, The Conifers, Dromalane Road, Newry BT35 8AP.

Fermanagh

Unfortunately there are no groups in this area.

Londonderry

Unfortunately there are no groups available in this area.

Tyrone

Armagh & Dungannon H&SS Trust tinnitus support group

Contact: Valerie McDonagh, Moy Resource Centre, Dungannon Road, Moy, Dungannon BT71 7SN.

How does a hearing therapist help people with tinnitus?

A hearing therapist helps and supports people who have a hearing loss and/or problems with their ears.

A hearing therapist will work out an individual rehabilitation programme with you to help you manage your tinnitus. This may include information about tinnitus that will help you understand more about it, sound therapy (playing soothing, neutral sounds, such as seashore sounds, in the background) and practising relaxation techniques. Although not all NHS Trusts employ hearing therapists, most do work in either audiology or ENT (ear, nose and throat) departments. Your GP can refer you to the ENT department in the first instance, and from ENT you may then be referred to a hearing therapist.

Where to find sensory support teams in Northern Ireland

Your local sensory support team can offer services ranging from tinnitus counselling and support groups to equipment to help you manage your tinnitus.

Armagh & Dungannon H&SS Trust Sensory Impairment Team

Moy Resource Centre, Dungannon Road, Moy Dungannon, Co Tyrone,
BT71 7SN.
Telephone/textphone: 028 8778 4832
Fax 028 8778 4669 
Email: moyresourcecentre@hotmail.com

Causeway H&SS Trust Sensory Impairment Team

Brookgreen Resource Centre, Brookstreet, Coleraine, Co Londonderry, BT52 1QG.
Telephone/textphone: 028 7035 5112
Fax: 028 7032 1924 
Email: sandra.higgins@chsst.n-i.nhs.uk

Craigavon & Banbridge H&SS Trust Sensory Impairment Team

Cherrytrees Resource Centre, 1a Edenderry Gardens, Portadown,
Co Armagh BT63 5EA. 
Telephone: 028 3839 4088
Textphone: 028 3839 4738
Fax: 028 3839 4095 
Email: sadie.robinson@cbct.n-i.nhs.uk

Down/Lisburn Sensory Support Team

The Rowan Centre, 56 Wallace Avenue, Lisburn BT27 4AE.
Telephone: 028 9260 7746
Textphone: 028 9260 3120
Fax: 028 9262 8646 
Email: sensory-support@dltrust.n-i.nhs.uk

Downshire Hospital Sensory Impairment Team

Ardglass Road, Downpatrick, Co Down BT30 6RA.
Telephone: 028 4461 6915
Textphone: 028 4461 4744 
Fax: 028 4461 7101 

Foyle Sensory Support Service Sensory Impaired Services

16 Bishop Street, Londonderry BT48 6PW.
Telephone/textphone: 028 7137 4619
Fax: 028 7137 4810 

HomeFirst Community Trust Ballyclare Sensory Impairment Team

The Beeches Community Services centre, 76 Avondale Drive, Ballyclare, Co Antrim BT39 9EB. 
Telephone: 028 9334 9797
Textphone: 028 9334 9703
Fax: 028 9335 4024 

HomeFirst Community Trust Broughshane Sensory Impairment Team

Wilson House resource centre, 17 Raceview Road, Broughshane, Co Antrim BT42 4JL. 
Telephone/textphone: 028 2586 2774
Fax: 028 2586 2420 

HomeFirst Community Trust Cookstown Sensory Impairment Team

52 Orritor Road, Cookstown, Co Tyrone BT80 8BJ.  
Telephone/textphone: 028 8672 3800
Fax: 028 8672 3899 

HomeFirst Community Trust Magherafelt Sensory Impairment Team

60 Hospital Road, Magherafelt, Londonderry BT45 5EG. 
Telephone/textphone: 028 7936 5000
Fax: 028 7936 5050 

Newry & Mourne Sensory Impairment Team

The Conifers, Dromalane Road, Newry, Co Down BT35 8AP.
Telephone/textphone: 028 3025 0800 

North & West Belfast H&SS Trust Sensory Impairment Team

Everton Complex, 585-587 Crumlin Road, Belfast, Co Antrim BT14 7GB. 
Telephone: 028 9056 6000
Textphone: 028 9039 1892
Fax: 028 9056 6066 

South & East Belfast H&SS Trust Sensory Support Services

3rd Floor, Strand House, 102 Holywood Road, Belfast, Co Antrim BT4 1NU. 
Telephone: 028 9056 3452
Textphone: 028 9056 3527
Fax: 028 9056 3460 

Sperrin Lakeland H&SS Trust Sensory Impairment Team

Drumcoo centre, Cornagrade Road, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh BT74 6AY. 
Telephone/textphone: 028 6632 4400
Fax: 028 6632 7197 

Ulster Community & Hospitals Trust Sight and Hearing Team

52 Church Street, Newtownards, Co Down BT23 4AL. 
Telephone: 028 9151 0136
Textphone: 028 9181 0137
Fax: 028 9181 0171

Where to find out more

The Irish Tinnitus Association

The Irish Tinnitus Association was founded in 1996 by a small group of people with tinnitus. The association aims to provide information on tinnitus and promote self-help groups throughout the country.
Irish Tinnitus Association, 35 North Frederick Street, Dublin 1.
Telephone/textphone: (01) 872 3800
Fax: (01) 878 3629
Website: Irish Tinnitus Association (external link, opens new browser window)

British Tinnitus Association

The British Tinnitus Association campaigns for better services for people with tinnitus. It supports a network of local tinnitus groups around the country, has a range of publications and produces a quarterly magazine, Quiet.
British Tinnitus Association, Ground Floor, Unit 5, Acorn Business Park, Woodseats Close, Sheffield S8 0TB.
Telephone: 0800 018 0527
Fax: 0114 258 2279
Email info@tinnitus.org.uk
Website: BTA (external link, opens new browser window)

RNID Tinnitus Helpline

We offer information to people with tinnitus, their families and friends and the professionals who work with them. Contact the RNID Tinnitus Helpline for further copies of this factsheet and the full range of our products for people with tinnitus. 

RNID Northern Ireland

RNID Northern Ireland, Wilton House, 5 College Square North, Belfast BT1 6AR.
Telephone: 028 9023 9619
Textphone: 028 9023 9619
Videophone: 028 9043 8354
Fax: 028 9031 2032
Email: information.nireland@rnid.org.uk

Buying equipment from RNID

RNID Sound Advantage provides a range of equipment, from sound enrichers to sound pillows, to help you manage your tinnitus. Visit the RNID Shop to buy equipment online. Alternatively, send off for a copy of the RNID Sound Advantage Solutions catalogue.
RNID Sound Advantage, 1 Haddonbrook Business Centre, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YX.
Telephone 01733 361199
Textphone 01733 238020
Fax 01733 361161
Email: solutions@rnid.org.uk