Barbara (not her real name) is a teacher with two grown-up children. She has been suffering from tinnitus for a year.
"Last February, I noticed a ringing noise in my ears. I looked up the internet for some insight and help. It recommended seeing an ENT consultant. It also recommended Gingko biloba herb as an alternative remedy, but it made no difference.
"The consultant sent me for an MRI scan. It showed up nothing and he told me my hearing was perfect, and that I was very lucky. He said 'the noise will stop some day'. I was delighted, but the ringing continued. I even tried acupuncture as recommended by two of my friends.
"It was very relaxing, but ineffective. Maybe if I'd continued going for longer, it would have been more helpful. At that stage, I was going crazy with the constant noise in my head. By chance, a friend of my daughter's told me about Rory McConn Walsh and his work. He confirmed that I had tinnitus and, more importantly, he told me something could be done to help me.
"First, he said he would refer me to a facial pain specialist. To be honest, I would have gone to the moon if it meant getting some relief. The facial pain specialist diagnosed a clicking jaw and gave me a programme of facial exercises. The big turnaround for me was in November, when I was referred to Kay Walsh at Beaumont.
"She showed me a diagram of a brain and explained that I was hearing a real sound. It was brilliant and so reassuring to know that I wasn't going mad.
"Kay showed me a tiny little device that imitates the sounds in your brain. When you wear it for a certain time each day, you gradually begin to associate the sound with relaxation. I started to relax instead of tensing up. The white noise sound now predominates over the tinnitus, even though the tinnitus is still there. My whole attitude is different and I am more positive about tinnitus and life. The cognitive part of the therapy tells me that it is not a life sentence.
"If I stick with my various relaxation techniques, Kay is very confident that I will conquer it. The number one thing was in realising that I could do something to help myself. Also, it was a warning that I needed to take it easier in my life and avoid getting stressed out.
"Accidentally I have discovered a friend in tinnitus. Indirectly, it has taught me how to improve the quality of my life. Kay Walsh has been wonderful. Having met her, I say 'Thank you God. I'm not just a neurotic 54-year-old, going through the menopause.'"
See: www.tinnitus.org
Nuala Macklin