Thursday, 10th August, 2017

We had a lovely afternoon for the Summer Tea Party. The sun shone on the colourful parasols and everyone arrived with cakes and goodies. Sue created a super selection of sparkling drinks with fruity bits and of course tea and coffee flowed in abundance too.

Several of our members sloped off from work for the afternoon and it was great for me to catch up with them again. Several new faces came along as is usual nowadays and a particularly unexpected surprise for me was to welcome June Johnstone back into the fold. So there were four of us who have known each other for the nine years and it became obvious that the group must change direction and embark on a new phase.

I will be moving away in early September with some mixed emotions but am pleased to say Penny Stannard will be involved more fully with the group in its new direction. It was agreed that meetings will be on Saturday mornings and every two months. Penny will keep every up to date of the future program and I hope the group will continue to grow into it's new phase. Next year will be the tenth Anniversary which is quite oddly the Anniversary where you give something in Tin as a gift. I can't think what I'd like to receive made of tin, but am working on ideas. A suit of armour? Watch this space!

On Thursday 13th July we had a good meeting and welcomed some new people. Jan Petty discussed Sound Therapy and how our equipment can help to facilitate this, and what we are trying to achieve by introducing a sound to combat our own sound (tinnitus) and as a result several items were taken on loan. For Jan, this was an excellent outcome, so thanks to all who attended. Jan is doing pretty much the same kind of talk at the SEHants Tinnitus Group on Saturday so hope it will go down equally well.

Thursday, 8th June. It was super to welcome Cristiane and Victor D'Alligna to the group again. We heard about the Power of Vibration, Tibetan Singing Bowls - Sound Massage. It's an intriguing Therapy and I am keen to try a session. Watch Cristiane on You tube at Cosmos Interior, it looks compelling, but it's in Portuguese! Cristiane wants to teach me Portuguese, but I'm having enough trouble improving my French so am leaving it for the time being. I love France and the climate helps my arthritis, so am spending a lot of time there and already helping people deal with their tinnitus. I've not looked for people with tinnitus, they've found me - strange, but true!

Thursday, 11th May. "Shall we dance? How can that help with tinnitus?" Despite a low attendance those present enjoyed the session led by our good friend Jan Cox. Jan explained the importance of keeping flexible and how moving well by dancing and other gentle exercises can help. Someone commented that whilst concentrating on the moves they were able to forget their tinnitus. We are delighted than Jan comes along to help us in this way. Jan, a Bowen Technique Therapist, was in her other role as a teacher of dance. Jan has helped many of our members with Bowen Technique and does 'top up" sessions in the Library from time to time. Ask Jan for details or pick up our "Tinnitus Buzz Words" booklet which contains her explanation of the Therapy. You can contact Jan about Bowen Technique on 07966 514508 or 01202 424698

April 2017

Thursday, 13th April. Jan went through the essentials you need to know when dealing with tinnitus, the first of which is to consult your GP for an audiological assessment, and to take Hearing Therapy Referral form for your GP to sign. Penny Stannard arrived unexpectedly which was a lovely surprise. Jan outlined plan for 2018 program as listed here which were all agreed by those present as being excellent and relevant to helping manage tinnitus.

Yoga with Alison Metcalfe. Bowen Technique with Jan Cox. Lipreading with Caroline Court Hypnotherapy with Paul Hancocks. Tai Chi with Malcolm Calvert. Hearing Therapy with Anne Marie Stubbs from RSH. Tinnitus Research results with Susan McCormack.

Members would also like to know about various types of ear protection and their differing uses. Penny explained the concept of attenuation. We will produce explanatory notes but hope Penny will come back to talk to the group when she has some spare time. She will be at the Summer Tea Party I'm sure. There will be a couple of stands by Therapists friends and we will promote the work we do by preparing leaflets and information panels. All we need is fine weather and posh cakes. Tibetan Singing Bowls rescheduled for June may also be repeated. Other ideas to be explored: Poetry Therapy and Chromotherapy (both mine) and I may try again to convince people that Laughter Yoga is great, but will call it Laughter Therapy as people who do Yoga have pointed out it's not really Yoga in the conventional use of the term.

We welcomed Shelley to her first meeting and two visitors, James Dyson and Philip Nash, Trustees of the British Tinnitus Association. Thanks to everyone for their contributions to the discussion.


March 2017

Thursday, 9th March. We had a very interesting talk by Alison Metcalfe "The Power of self-healing" and she gave an excellent presentation which was very thought provoking and made a lot of sense, putting life problems into perspective with having a positive mental attitude. Alison finished off with a few minutes of meditation. She also left a CD which Jean Wright suggested we include with the resources. Remember, we have a good selection of resources, from which you may take something on loan for one month. Items are charged currently at £2 per month.

February 2017

Thursday, 9th February. Paul Hancocks, Hypnotherapist. This months meeting with Paul was excellent and we had very good feedback. He explained a lot about how the brain works and reacts, and how Hypnotherapy can help. We then did a " trance exercise".... he promised we wouldn't be clucking like chickens! The music he played was very soothing and he took us through relaxation steps. This was just an introduction but very thought provoking ...how many of us ever actually relax fully? By Sue Curtis

January 2017

Thursday, 12th January, 2017. Laughter Therapy had been requested by several of the group, and I explained this rather quirky therapy. Lesley Lyle is going to provide some material we can use at future meetings or at smaller sub groups. Lesley runs free Sessions at Fenwick Wellbeing Centre, Pikes Hill, Lyndhurst on second Saturday of each month 10.30-11.30 and everyone is welcome to come along. I have attended four of these Laughter Club sessions, why not check them out for yourself?

December 2016

We had a great meeting in December with Penny Stannard, Hearing Therapist. Everyone enjoys seeing Penny and she was on fine form. Her explanation of analogue versus digital was particularly clear and easily understood. Penny tells me that she now has Thursday off from RSH, Southampton so will be able to come to more of the group meetings, which is good for the group. Our referral system to Hearing Therapy with Penny at RSH works well and referral form to take to your GP is always available at meetings. Penny has a very short waiting list, which is also excellent news.

Lipreading Course update.

We hope to run the 8 week course suggested by Caroline Court. Please let me know if you are interested in attending. Numbers will be limited. Costs, dates, venue available on request.

November 2016

Thursday, 10th November, what a great session we had on Lipreading with Caroline Court, an inspirational Lipreading Tutor. Everyone enjoyed it immensely and there was a good attendance. If we have sufficient interest Caroline will run an 8 week Lipreading course. More on this later.

There was a brief review of our finances by Mike and it was unanimously agreed to increase the entrance fee to £3.50 but waive the annual subs. for another year. It was still felt by all present to be good value for money as it includes refreshments and a prize draw. I added that we also learn something new at each meeting and have quality speakers, some of whom we have to reimburse.

The program is little changed from the November bulletin, but if this is your first, welcome to Buzz Word. I think you will see we have interesting and unusual sessions ahead but all geared to help you manage tinnitus. If you have recently developed tinnitus or have been living with it for some considerable time, there is much we can do to help you. Partners and friends are especially welcomed and professional help is easily accessed through attending a NFTG meeting. (See our flowchart on website) www.newforesttinnitus.org.uk

Saturday, 12th November 10.30 - 11.30 free event at Fenwick, Pikes Hill, Lyndhurst. Laughter session run by Lesley Lyle. Seven of us attended via the NFTG which made it a very large group. I'll tell you more at 12th January meeting about this slightly weird Therapy - but just must say here that it certainly works once you get into the spirit of it!

October 2016

Thursday, 13th October is usually when we hold our Annual Review but as Jan and Mike were away, it was rescheduled to follow the November meeting. Two new members took equipment for a month trial through our loan scheme. Remember, this is something you could try to see if it's of benefit. We have a wide range of items you can take for one month for nominal fee. Cristiane d'Aligna who is booked for April explained therapy she can offer and demonstrated on two people. Everyone enjoyed Cristiane's session very much. As always there was time to talk to others over cup of tea in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

September 2016

Thursday, 22nd September BTA Conference in Manchester. I attended again this year (sponsored from New Forest Tinnitus Group funds) and will report back Key Points when transcripts are studied. I've only just received them and unfortunately no slides accompanied the lectures so there are many gaps to try to fill. I'll pick out the most relevant bits and share with you over the coming months via Buzz Word.

Thursday, 8th September at the Tinnitus Group, we enjoyed a talk and demonstration with our old friend Jan Cox explaining Bowen Technique once again. As some of you will know Jan has helped many of our members and their partners over the years. Jan runs "top up" sessions too, often at the Library adjoining the Lyndhurst Community Centre, with great effect. Contact Jan if you would like to know more on 07966 514508

August Tea Party 2016

New Forest Tinnitus Group doesn't usually meet in August. We normally leave Lyndhurst to the holidaymakers who come to the Forest during the busiest month of the year. This year however, we put out a request for anyone associated with the group to host a Garden Party. Mike our Treasurer and his wife Brenda offered their lovely garden and 14 people attended a relaxed and happy afternoon. Linda and Tony who live in London dropped in as they were on holiday in the Forest and it was great to meet up with them again. You will soon be able to read Linda's story in our revised booklet.

I organised a tinnitus quiz and our photographer, John Wright who took this group photo buzzed his way effortlessly to winning first prize. Although John is not amongst the "one in ten" his excellent knowledge of the anatomy of the ear plus Harry Potter books stood him in good stead.

If you are reading this would you like to have a go an abridged version of the quiz? and would you like to get a copy of our monthly bulletin Buzz Word?

If so drop me a line and I will be in touch with details. jan.petty@ntlworld.com

July 2016

Thursday, 14th July 2016. Jan Petty took the meeting and explained the process of seeking help and treatment at the onset of tinnitus. There were 20 people present, four of whom were new to the group. Jan went through our flowchart and the two options when audiological assessment has been completed. See our Flowchart at "How to get help" website page. The two options after audiological assessment were discussed and benefits of hearing aids, tinnitus retrainers and combination units were compared.

Jan also explained our NHS Referral system. We can provide the form for GPs to send to Hearing Therapy Department at RSH, Southampton. Several copies were handed out later at the meeting. Members were invited to suggest ideas for future meetings. The program for 2017 will include some interesting and unusual topics - all therapies which can help with managing tinnitus of course!

June 2016

On Thursday, 9th June we welcomed Dawn Wade a highly qualified Yoga Instructor who works around the New Forest area with a wide range of groups.

Dawn gave us a superb explanation of Yoga and the vital breathing techniques which are essential when practising Yoga. We welcomed some new people to the group and it was a very successful afternoon. Several present were coping with injuries, but Dawn made us all realise that you can do yoga moves on different levels. She works with both very fit and active people (power yoga) as well as helping some with severe mental and mobility issues like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. For those amongst you that couldn't attend she instilled a confidence and belief in us all, that everything is possible.Probably one of the most inspirational people we have invited in the eight years we have been established. The tea break was postponed till later, (unheard of) as we were all so interested and involved.

May 2016

On Thursday,12th May we welcomed Debbie Sacree from the Hearing and Vision team at Hampshire Social Services. The group enjoyed her talk last year and she was invited to return by popular request. Debbie was accompanied by her trainee and they gave an interesting talk covering all the equipment they provide to help with hearing, although not specifically for tinnitus. Debbie drew members attention to our tinnitus equipment which is detailed in our booklet.They also discussed aspects of safety in the home when you have a hearing loss. It was an interesting meeting and members gave positive comments and feedback.

April 2016

Our meeting on Thursday, 14th April 2016 was a great success. Our speaker was Professor Peter Wheeler, Chair of BTA. Peter told us about his career in acoustics working on innovative projects, one of which featured on Tomorrow's World. We saw slides of notable people who have taken a keen interest in the ingenious ideas scientists explore. Many of these feature in everyday life now, which we take for granted. We learned about his scientific work at the Institute of Sound & Vibration Research, (ISVR) at Southampton University. The second part of Peter's talk was about the work of the British Tinnitus Association and the current tinnitus research projects being carried out by Researchers they support.

We welcomed six new people and as we are planning program for 2017, a bit ahead we know, we asked members what they would like at future meetings. Jan asked for ideas and Sue put on the flip chart.

This is what we came with:

* End meetings with 10 minute question and answer slot

* Reflexology

* Mindfulness. Explore holding 8 week course

* Hypnotherapy.

* Lip reading

* Back to Basics, more about the ear, how we hear, understanding audiograms, etc.

* Laughter Yoga Yoga.

March 2016

Feb 2016

Jan 2016