Wednesday January 21st 2026
Photo by Mark Paton (Unsplash)
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A support group for people suffering from a problematic hearing sensation could be established in Galashiels.
Tinnitus is the sensation of noise or ringing in the ear when there is no external source for the sound.
Tinnitus Awareness Week, February 2 to 8, is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about tinnitus, a condition affecting 13 per cent of the UK population – around 7.1 million people.
It can be caused by, or appear to be made worse by an underlying condition such as hearing loss, excessive ear wax, ear injury, or a circulatory system disorder.
The symptoms include ringing, buzzing, clicking, roaring, hissing, or humming in the ear and varies depending on the person.
Tinnitus can be present constantly, or experienced intermittently.
Borders Hearing Care in Galashiels is offering free consultations and impartial advice for anyone with tinnitus or other issues affecting their hearing as part of the national event.
The aim of Tinnitus Awareness Week is to educate the public about the symptoms of tinnitus and how it affects people.
There is a common link between tinnitus and hearing loss, where people blame their tinnitus rather than the hearing loss on the hearing difficulties they are having.
Shona Jackson, audiologist at Borders Hearing Care, explained that once a hearing loss has been identified, solutions such as hearing aids can be explored as well as other strategies and devices to help with tinnitus.
Ultimately, the aim of hearing aids is to correct any hearing impairment, but wearing of hearing aids often results in a perceived reduction in level of the tinnitus.
As part of Community Conversations meetings, Borders Hearing Care will be hosting an ‘open to all’ information session, on Wednesday, February 4, from 10am until noon.
Shona said: “With the support of Tinnitus UK we are hoping to start a support group for those living with tinnitus to share common experiences, and to provide support, comfort and advice.”
Please contact Shona on 01896 800 369 for more information. You can book an appointment, and Borders Hearing Care will check your ear health, test your hearing, check your current hearing aids (if you have them) and provide you with the opportunity to try the very latest hearing aid technology free of charge.
Tweet Share on Facebook
