Cardiff Tinnitus Information Day brings expert advice, practical support and hope

 

Last Saturday, Tinnitus UK returned to Cardiff for the first time in many years with one of our free Tinnitus Information Days – bringing together leading experts, healthcare professionals, volunteers and members of the tinnitus community for a day of learning, support and connection. 

Held at the Cardiff School of Management, the event gave people from Cardiff and the surrounding area the opportunity to access free information, evidence-based advice and practical guidance from world-class tinnitus specialists, alongside the national charity dedicated to supporting people throughout their tinnitus journey.

A day filled with positivity

For many attendees, coming to an event focused entirely on tinnitus was a big step. 

It’s understandable why. One of the most common messages people hear after developing tinnitus is to “stop thinking about it.” As a result, many people worry that spending a day talking about tinnitus might make it worse. 

In reality, the opposite was true for many people attending the event. 

Several attendees told us that although their tinnitus felt louder at the start of the day, by the time they left it felt quieter, less intrusive and much more manageable. Taking that brave first step to seek support, meet others and learn more about tinnitus proved to be an incredibly positive experience. 

The atmosphere throughout the day was welcoming, encouraging and full of optimism.

Meeting experts and local hearing professionals

Alongside our programme of talks, attendees were able to visit an exhibition area featuring local hearing professionals and organisations. 

We were delighted to welcome Sonja Jones from Cardiff Hearing, who is also a Tinnitus UK volunteer and one of our speakers, as well as Kevin Davies from Minerva, specialists in custom-fit hearing protection. 

Their role wasn’t simply to showcase products and services. Instead, they were there to provide free specialist guidance, answer questions and help people better understand hearing health, hearing protection and ways of managing tinnitus over the long term. 

These conversations are often invaluable for people looking to take the next step in caring for their hearing.

Psychological support and better sleep

One of our keynote speakers was Professor Florian Vogt from University College London, who runs a specialist tinnitus support service. 

Professor Vogt explored the important role that psychological support plays in managing tinnitus, including practical approaches to improving sleep and reducing the impact tinnitus can have on daily life. His presentation also highlighted elements of his ongoing research into tinnitus care and management. 

Many of the themes discussed during his presentation are explored further in Tinnitus UK’s expert webinar series, including practical advice on improving sleep when living with tinnitus.

Creativity as a tool for managing tinnitus

One of the most talked-about sessions of the day came from Marie, based at the Open University, who introduced attendees to the Tinnitus Creative Toolkit. 

Many people are familiar with practical tinnitus management strategies such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, meditation or having their hearing assessed. The Creative Toolkit offers something different. 

Living with tinnitus can be emotionally challenging, particularly when symptoms are long-term. The toolkit provides structured creative activities that help people explore, express and share their experiences in a supportive environment. 

Designed for use within tinnitus support groups, the toolkit is currently being evaluated through ongoing research, with early findings looking extremely promising. The aim is to make it available more widely so that support groups across the country can benefit. 

Everyone attending the Cardiff Information Day had the opportunity to experience the toolkit for themselves. 

The session demonstrated that trying something unexpected can often become an important part of learning to live well with tinnitus. 

The power of support groups 

The programme also included sessions covering the fundamentals of tinnitus, practical management strategies and guidance on starting, joining or growing local tinnitus support groups. 

Support groups remain one of the most effective resources available to people living with tinnitus. 

While there is currently no universal cure for tinnitus, research consistently shows that connecting with others who understand the condition can have a significant positive impact. 

Studies have found that 97% of people attending tinnitus support groups report that their tinnitus improves as a result of attending. 

Sharing experiences, learning from others and realising that you are not alone can make an enormous difference, whatever stage of your tinnitus journey you’re at. 

If you’re interested in finding a local support group or learning how to start one, visit the Tinnitus UK website to find out more. 

Exciting news for Cardiff

One of the most exciting outcomes from the day wasn’t on the programme at all. 

Thanks to the conversations and connections made during the event, we’re delighted to announce that a new tinnitus support group is now being established in Cardiff. 

Support groups play a vital role in helping people live well with tinnitus. They provide a safe, welcoming space where people can share experiences, learn from one another and realise they’re not facing tinnitus alone. 

Although plans are still being finalised and we’re not yet able to confirm a start date, we’re incredibly excited to see this new group taking shape. 

We’ll share further details through the Tinnitus UK website and our social media channels as soon as the group is ready to launch, including when and where the first meeting will take place and how you can get involved. 

We’re looking forward to seeing this new community grow and helping even more people across Cardiff and South Wales access the support they deserve.#

Moving towards better tinnitus management

Exercise also featured prominently during the day, with attendees invited to take part in a gentle chair yoga session. 

Emerging crowdsourced data from France suggests that physical activity is one of the most helpful lifestyle factors for managing tinnitus. While vigorous exercise appears to offer the greatest reported benefits, moderate and gentle exercise also rank highly. 

Chair yoga provides an accessible way for almost anyone to become more active. It encourages movement, improves circulation, promotes relaxation and helps focus attention away from tinnitus – all factors that can contribute to improved wellbeing. 

Feedback from the session was extremely encouraging, with several attendees reporting that they found it deeply relaxing and that it helped reduce the impact of their tinnitus. 

Our thanks go to the yoga instructor and everyone who joined in. 

Making a real difference 

These Information Days exist for a simple reason: to help people feel more confident about living with tinnitus. 

We want everyone who attends to leave feeling more reassured, clearer about the options available to them, better able to manage their tinnitus and more confident that tinnitus doesn’t have to dominate their daily life. 

The feedback from Cardiff shows just how powerful these events can be. 

Impact from our Cardiff Information Day 

• 82% said they felt clearer about the options available to them. 

• 84% said they felt more reassured and had a better understanding of their tinnitus. 

• 79% said they felt less alone. 

• 50% said they believed tinnitus would have less of an impact on their life because of attending the Information Day. 

• 100% said the event was worthwhile. 

Ultimately, that’s why these events matter. Whether someone discovers a new management technique, meets another person who truly understands what they’re going through or simply leaves feeling hopeful for the first time in months, every one of those experiences matters. 

Join us at our next Information Day

Following the success of Cardiff, we’re already looking ahead to our next event. 

Our next Tinnitus Information Day will take place in Bournemouth on 5 September. 

We’d love to see you there. 

Come along to meet others living with tinnitus, hear from leading experts, discover practical ways to manage your condition and perhaps even try something completely new, such as the Creative Toolkit. 

Our Information Days bring together people from every walk of life – engineers, musicians, veterans, healthcare professionals, long-term tinnitus sufferers and those who have only recently developed the condition. Whatever your experience, you’ll find people who understand and experts who are ready to help.

Help keep these events free 

One of the things we’re most proud of is that our Information Days are completely free to attend. 

We believe everyone should have access to trusted tinnitus information and support, regardless of their circumstances, and we’re committed to keeping these events free for as long as we possibly can. 

That is only possible because of the generosity of our supporters. 

Every donation, membership and legacy gift helps us reach more people, deliver more Information Days and continue providing expert support across the UK. 

There are many ways you can support Tinnitus UK: 

Become a member and enjoy exclusive benefits, including members-first expert webinars throughout the year:

Leave a gift in your Will. Legacy gifts provide a significant proportion of the charity’s income and help ensure we can continue supporting people with tinnitus for generations to come. 

Together, we can ensure that nobody has to face tinnitus alone.