An inspirational woman from Grangemouth who has been living with tinnitus for more than two decades is celebrating nearly 10 years at the helm of a vital local support group.
Elizabeth Perrers (72), has run the Edinburgh and South East Scotland Tinnitus Support Group since 2009 providing a lifeline for people in the area who need somewhere to turn if they are struggling to cope with the often debilitating hearing condition.
And, as the British Tinnitus Association (BTA) reaches the milestone of having 100 support groups across the country, Elizabeth is highlighting how important it is for the estimated 530,000 people in Scotland with tinnitus to get the support they need in their local area.
Elizabeth, who lives with her husband and has three children and three grandchildren, said: “My tinnitus started 22 years ago out of the blue and in those early days attending the Edinburgh support group really helped me because it was the only place I really felt I was with people who truly understood what I was going through.
“Tinnitus can’t be seen or heard by anyone else so it is very difficult to explain what it is like to live with and having the opportunity to just talk to likeminded people about my experience was incredibly useful.
“I was in a terrible state but once I got the right medical advice and stopped fighting against the condition and accepted it, things became easier for me because the less fearful you are the less stress and anxiety you are faced with which helps control the tinnitus.
“Nearly ten years ago the support groups was at risk of folding so, with the help of my husband, I decided to step forward and take over. At that stage I was in control of my tinnitus but I really wanted to help other people who were often in a desperate situation and show them there was hope and that a happy life with tinnitus is possible.
“We currently have around 60 members and it is going well. We meet once every couple of months at the Murrayfield Church Centre in Edinburgh and always warmly welcome new members. If anyone would like to find out more I would encourage them to get in touch with me or come along to one of our meetings.
“Until quite recently we were the only support group in Scotland but now ones in Glasgow and Aberdeen have been established but more are definitely needed and that’s why the BTA are working hard to try and set ones up elsewhere. They really are a lifeline for people so I hope in the future more people in Scotland with tinnitus can benefit from having a group near them.”
Tinnitus, described as a sensation or awareness of sound that is not caused by a real external sound source, affects approximately six million people in the UK – ten percent of the UK’s population. Approximately half of those patients find it moderately or severely distressing, with complaints of intrusiveness, emotional stress, insomnia, auditory perceptual problems and difficulties with concentration.
David Stockdale, chief executive of the BTA, said: “It’s inspiring to see the enthusiasm and dedication of Elizabeth and her group in Edinburgh who are working so hard with us, and the groups in Glasgow and Aberdeen, to help people in Scotland with tinnitus.
“We’re thrilled to have reached the milestone of 100 support groups across the UK as we know the positive impact giving people the chance to speak to others in a similar position, learn about management techniques and discuss their the impact of their tinnitus in a safe, welcoming place can have on their ability to manage. We really hope we can build on our support group network even further over the coming months so we can help more of the estimated 530,000 people with tinnitus in Scotland.”
The British Tinnitus Association provides ongoing training, guidance and resources to the support group volunteers.
To find out more about the Edinburgh and South East Scotland tinnitus support group, please contact Elizabeth on email at eperrers@gmail.com or call 01324 485617.
For tinnitus support and a directory of support groups across the country, please visit the British Tinnitus Association’s website: www.tinnitus.org.uk/find-a-support-group or call BTA’s confidential freephone helpline on 0800 018 0527.
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