Case Study - Phil Pelling
WILLPOWER IS HAMPSHIRE MAN'S WEAPON TO FIGHT TINNITUS
Phil Pelling of Aldershot in Hampshire has lived with tinnitus for as long as he can remember and is determined not to beaten by what he describes as a 'tortuous' condition. Having tried various remedies over the years ranging from herbal tablets to relaxation exercises, Phil copes with his symptoms by keeping extremely busy and ignoring them as much as possible. The loud whistle he experiences day and night is something he manages to push to the back of his mind through sheer willpower and a refusal to give in.
"None of the products I tried ever did any good but my doctor took the condition very seriously and referred me to a therapist who suggested relaxation and distraction techniques which can sometimes help. What has really worked for me, however, is simply learning to ignore the noise and balancing out negative things with positive ones," he explained. Phil, who runs a design and marketing business, says his busy working life and varied leisure interests give him something else to focus on but knows only too well how debilitating the condition can be.� "It really is the stuff that torture is made of and can be incredibly annoying. It is particularly noticeable at quiet times or if I stop to think about it but I occupy myself with other things and firmly believe that it's a question of mind over matter - at least in the absence of anything better."
Phil, 51, is among millions of sufferers in the UK who welcome ongoing research into tinnitus and the efforts to find a cure. "I prefer not to rely on medication but would support a drugs trial if it could stop the noise," he said. "In the meantime, I rely on fighting it every step of the way and it's the only approach I can recommend." The UK-based charity Action for Tinnitus Research focuses on funding medical and scientific research into the condition. Its operations director Nick Doughty said that raising awareness was an important part of its work in the pursuit of a cure. "It is estimated that over five million people in the UK are affected by tinnitus and it can have a devastating effect on their quality of life," he explained.
"Not enough information is available about this complex condition and we are one of the few organisations determined to do something about it.� We are committed to funding leading edge research and providing practical information to health professionals for the benefit of sufferers," he added.
For more information on Action for Tinnitus Research, logon to the website at www.tinnitus-research.org, e-mail [email protected] or telephone
0115 925 4065
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