“My tinnitus hasn’t been this quiet in years”: Community comes together in Plymouth for Tinnitus Roadshow
That’s not a clickbait title – those are the words of Alison, who joined the crowd at the Plymouth Tinnitus Roadshow on Saturday 4th October.
Alison runs an online group for people with constant tinnitus which she set up after realising there were others out there who had the condition and who felt isolated from friends and family who didn’t understand their experience.
“It’s like grief”, she said, “when you love silence and you’re never going to hear it again… it’s s**t.” She laughed, because she remembered I was recording, “but it’s true!” she said, “and a lot of people just don’t get it.”
“But today, walking in and seeing all these people, realising it’s not just me… I feel so relaxed. My tinnitus hasn’t been this quiet in years.”
Alison isn’t the only one of us who’s felt alone with her tinnitus, which is why Tinnitus UK works with local communities and national organisations to run the Tinnitus Roadshow, a touring information day which brings tinnitus experts to your door.
“Rooted in science, but delivered in an accessible and compassionate way.”
In Plymouth, we were joined by a fabulous group of dedicated professionals, including our resident experts Mr Don McFerran and Dr Laurence McKenna. Don and Laurence have helped thousands of people learn to manage their tinnitus across their careers, and their calm, no-nonsense approach has been a hit with audiences in dozens of cities across the UK.
“Very supportive, useful information” said one person, “clearly rooted in science, but delivered in an accessible and compassionate way.”
“Both speakers have a good sense of pace – and humour!”
If you’d like to hear more from Don, Laurence and other expert speakers, you can learn loads more on our free webinar library.
“That voice grows, that support grows, that knowledge grows… those dark times that people experience go away.”
Our new partners at Veterans Welfare Group also joined us, offering dedicated support for current and former service personnel with tinnitus. Ambassador Cassidy Little, Royal Marine-turned-actor and advocate, was pleased to give his time and his perspective to others with tinnitus.
“Military personnel require a community,” explained Cassidy, “we often feel set-aside from the rest of the world, so having services that are veteran led are so important.”
“If we have a community that promotes veterans to stand up and that voice grows, that support grows, that knowledge grows… those dark times that people experience go away.”
If you or someone you know is a veteran in need of support, you can find more information on our Armed Forces hub.
“The sense of relief is enormous”
The fantastic team from University Hospitals Plymouth also came along, including ENT Consultant Rich Williams and Senior Hearing Therapist Fiona Lucas. They were on hand to provide guidance and reassurance, information on local services, and demystify tinnitus care.
“Events like the Roadshow make such a difference to people living with tinnitus,” said Fiona. “When people meet others and understand that tinnitus is common and explainable, the sense of relief in enormous.”
“I get to support people through this process every day, which is a massive privilege!”
On behalf of everyone there on the day, we want to extend a huge thanks for giving up their Saturday to join us!
It wasn’t just NHS services present – Jill Field from the Plymouth Tinnitus Support Group was also there, as well as the team from Improving Lives Plymouth who host the Group at their centre.
“It was wonderful to see so many people from the Plymouth support group here today,” said Jill, “it really gives the feeling that they’re amongst friends.”
“All are welcome at the Plymouth group, which continues this feeling of belonging to a community with a shared experience!”
Please visit the support group map to find your closest group and join an upcoming session like those Jill runs in Plymouth.
“Being here and seeing all these people is amazing.”
Audiologist and Trustee Peter Byrom was another to throw his support behind the Plymouth tinnitus community, and was surprised by one interaction in particular.
“Two friends arrived, but didn’t know they both had tinnitus! They were standing there chatting away, and suddenly had another connection.”
“Speak to your friends and family about it, because you never know who else might have it.”
Peter provided expert support and guidance on treatment options not always available on the NHS. The biggest thing that helps though, according to Peter, is that personal support network.
“I met a lady earlier today…she said tinnitus is a lonely thing, but being here and seeing all these people is amazing.”
Could you help us put on the next roadshow?
As 2025 draws to a close, the Tinnitus UK team are busy planning the next stops on the roadshow. Make sure you become a member so you learn about them first!
The Roadshow is only possible thanks to your support. Without your generous donations, Tinnitus UK couldn’t run events like this – bringing people together and helping provide comfort and understanding.
Now is a great time to give, thanks to the match-funded appeal! Every gift you make will be doubled, so you can have twice the impact.
A massive thank you to everyone who joined us on the day, including our speakers and dedicated team of experts.
We also want to thank Lenire, Veterans Welfare Group and Byrom Audiology for supporting the Roadshow and helping us reach communities like Plymouth across the country.