Do you struggle to hear properly, even with hearing aids fitted? If you are one of the two million people in the UK who uses a hearing aid and still struggles to hear, hope may be on the horizon. A pioneering new project funded by Deafness Research UK is leading to a greater understanding of why hearing aids do not work for everyone as well as they should. The project is developing a new test for the hard of hearing via the latest research - exposing the secrets of dead regions of the cochlea.

An innovative cash for scrap scheme for vehicles is busy drumming up support for a national charity as Deafness Research UK receives its first donations under a venture designed to transform unwanted old bangers into cash for good causes throughout the country.

National Charity Deafness Research UK will be in the Arena spotlight this Easter weekend, as the celebrated BBC documentary series profiles the astonishing life and work of the charity’s own Vice President, and possibly the greatest record producer of all time, Sir George Martin, CBE.

During this year’s National Science and Engineering Week (14-18 March), the Bionic Ear Show from Deafness Research UK will be putting on several shows in seven days, culminating with two shows at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea.

It was a case of ear we go again recently as national charity Deafness Research UK won two awards for its innovative Bionic Ear Show at the prestigious Science Communication Awards on 15 March. Organised by the renowned Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), the awards were announced at a gala reception at Glazier’s Hall on London’s Southbank.

Following its overwhelming success over the last few years, national charity Deafness Research UK is on tour in 2011 again with its innovative Bionic Ear Roadshow. Sponsored by BUPA and the BIG Lottery Fund, the show aims to demonstrate how important and delicate people’s hearing is and to remind them of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music.

One managing director from Sheffield is hoping to make great strides for charity this year by completing his first ever Virgin London Marathon for national charity Deafness Research UK, but has taken some time out of his gruelling training schedule to share some of his ‘Fave Five’ musical movers with www.MyLastSong.com - in the hope of people will contribute every last bean they can afford to helping him achieve his fundraising target, and leave a legacy to Deafness Research UK.

When tackling some of the most serious genetic issues and stem cell treatments affecting hearing, the best scientists are needed, which is why leading charity Deafness Research UK is delighted to announce it is hosting a Recent Advances in Molecular Biology of Otology seminar to showcase some of the latest work taking place in hearing research.

Deafness Research UK is today (7 Feb) re-launching its innovative Bionic Ear Show, for Tinnitus Awareness Week (TAW) , which runs all week until Friday.

As Tinnitus Awareness Week (4-11 February 2011) gets underway in the UK, national charity Deafness Research UK is warning people that as well as being a devastating condition in its own right, tinnitus should not be ignored, as it can be the herald of more serious underlying hearing loss and has launched a new leaflet encouraging people to seek further advice and treatment.

The innovative Deafness Research UK Bionic Ear Roadshow is taking its message and its giant ear to students in Westminster in February. The show will be appearing at the University of Westminster’s Well-Being Day at the Regent Street Gymnasium (Regent Campus) on the 2nd February from 12noon until 4pm.

The innovative Deafness Research UK Bionic Ear Roadshow is taking its message and its giant ear to college students in Essex in January. The show will be appearing at Barking and Dagenham College, Romford on 31 January between 12.00noon and 1.00pm.

The innovative Deafness Research UK Bionic Ear Roadshow is taking its message and its giant ear to adults in London in January. The show will be appearing at St. Mungo’s Hostel in Hackney on the 17th and the Swiss Cottage Community Centre in Camden on the 24th.

The Cranbury Centre at Eastleigh College in Southampton on 18 January is the next port of call for the Deafness Research UK Bionic Ear Roadshow.

For people suffering from tinnitus, peace on earth would be welcome at any time of the year, but even more so at Christmas when people are looking to enjoy themselves. Deafness Research UK has some top tips to slay the bells ringing in your ears for the festive season - and on coping with tinnitus if you already have it, or protecting your ears from this ghastly Grinch if you don’t

Deafness Research UK sponsored the inaugural meeting for Ciliopathy Awareness Day on 29 November, held at the Institute of Child Health at University College London. Deafness Research UK’s sponsorship means that the top experts from around the country specialising the clinical areas surrounding Ciliopathy were able to attend, bringing everyone together for launch of the newly-formed Ciliopathy Alliance UK.

National Charity Deafness Research UK has a new Individual Giving Fundraiser in the form of 22 year old Daniel Whiteside.

National charity Deafness Research UK is warning that drastic reductions in the numbers of children receiving grommets for glue ear risks disadvantaging children who have a genuine need for the treatment.

Seven schools in South Tyneside, Newcastle, are the next stop for the Bionic Ear Roadshow, from national charity Deafness Research UK in December. Sponsored by BUPA and the Big Lottery Fund, the show uses an interactive performance featuring the world’s largest ear, to teach pupils about how important their hearing is and to remind them of the risks they face from listening to loud music, among other important messages about preserving hearing.

Leading charity Deafness Research UK is re-launching its top tips for the safe use of MP3 players and other mobile music devices, particularly for the benefit of classical music listeners – to coincide with National Listening Day hosted by Classic FM in partnership with the Royal Philharmonic Society on 18 November.

A fantastic star-studded evening was had by all on 17 November as national charity Deafness Research UK hosted a ‘Meet the Scientists’ event at the UCL Ear Institute in London, attended by everyone from volunteers and fundraisers, to high profile supporters like the legendary ‘fifth Beatle’ Sir George Martin CBE and Dame Evelyn Glennie.

Bridging grant from Deafness Research UK ensures cutting-edge research continues to next phase

Abbots Langley Primary School in Hertfordshire on 18 November is the next stop for the 2010 Bionic Ear Roadshow, from national charity Deafness Research UK. Sponsored by BUPA, and the Big Lottery Fund the show uses an interactive performance featuring the world’s largest ear, to teach pupils about how important and delicate their hearing is and to remind them of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music, among other important messages about preserving hearing.

Farnborough Technology College in Hampshire will be visited on 10 November by the innovative Bionic Ear Roadshow, from national charity Deafness Research UK. Sponsored by BUPA and the Big Lottery Fund, the show features a giant ear to help teach pupils about how important and delicate their hearing is and reminding them of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music.

Mary Hare Primary School in Newbury will be playing host to the interactive Bionic Ear Roadshow, from national charity Deafness Research UK on 9 November. Sponsored by BUPA and the Big Lottery Fund, the show reveals the complex machinery that lies deep inside the ear, how it helps us hear sounds and music, what causes it to break down, and whether scientists can replace the parts to create an artificial ear.

Emmbrook Infant and Junior school in Wokingham in Berkshire will be visited by our innovative Bionic Ear Roadshow, courtesy of national charity Deafness Research UK. Sponsored by BUPA and the Big Lottery Fund, the show features a giant ear to help teach pupils about how important and delicate their hearing is and to remind them of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music.

Halloween may be over, but national charity Deafness Research UK is warning that 5 November can easily turn into a second ‘fright night’ if fireworks are used inappropriately and advises everyone to remember a few simple tips to ensure they enjoy the evening’s festivities safely.

The innovative website MyLastSong.com is featuring national charity Deafness Research UK as its Charity of the Month during November. My Last Song features a ‘Lifebox’ to store the important information required by your close family and executor when you die, and to store your personal details, including life story, photographs, secrets, achievements, family and friends, so future generations have an accurate insight into your life and times.

Deafness Research UK is sponsoring a pioneering meeting on hyperacusis, to be organised by the Audiology Department at the Royal Surrey County Hospital on Monday 25 October. Deafness Research UK’s sponsorship now ensures that top experts from around the country specialising in psychoacoustics, physics, neurophysiology and audiology, are able attend – offering them a unique opportunity to lecture at the seminar which brings together some of our top scientific research talent.

This week’s news that the innovative Bionic Ear Outreach Project is to receive a £196,986 investment from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme is music to the ears of Deafness Research UK: The country’s leading national charity committed to medical research into and raising awareness of deafness and related conditions.

Hot on the heels of delivering six shows in Telford, one school in Lewisham is set to host two shows 7 weeks apart of the innovative 2010 Bionic Ear Roadshow, courtesy of national charity Deafness Research UK. Sponsored by BUPA, the two shows in October and November will use an hour’s performance featuring the world’s largest ear, to teach pupils about how important and delicate their hearing is and to remind them of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music.

Everyone loves a good mystery drama and with the Meniérè’s mystery, Deafness Research UK has a classic whodunit to work on. Thousands of innocent victims throughout the UK, (1 in 10 working age adults in the UK are affected by dizziness) and several suspects in the frame for the crime. The cause of Meniérè’s disease remains unknown; but is there a smoking gun to be found and if so, whose finger is on the trigger?

Deafness Research UK was delighted to welcome the current Pauline Ashley Prize Winner, Nick Leach, to speak at the British Society of Audiology (BSA) conference on 8-10 September 2010 at the University of Manchester.

National charity Deafness Research UK today marks its participation in the UK’s largest cross charity campaign, Remember A Charity Week, 13–19 September, by hosting a legacy event aimed at thanking their current supporters, raising awareness of the latest developments in hearing research and promoting legacy giving. This event will be held at the prestigious UCL Ear Institute that Deafness Research UK supports as part of its Auditory Centres of Excellence campaign.

Deafness Research UKs ongoing campaign to slap a ban on the use of the dreaded Vuvuzela in sports grounds has received support from many quarters.

Hot on the heels of delivering five shows in Essex, two schools in Telford are set to host six shows in Shropshire from the innovative 2010 Bionic Ear Roadshow, courtesy of national charity Deafness Research UK. Sponsored by BUPA, the September shows aim to use an hour's performance featuring the world's largest ear, to teach pupils about how important and delicate their hearing is and to remind them of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music, among other important educational messages about hearing.

Two schools in Essex will be playing host to the innovative 2010 Bionic Ear Roadshow, from national charity Deafness Research UK in September. Delivered to primary and secondary pupils over two days, the BUPA sponsored shows aim to use an hour’s performance featuring the world's largest ear, to teach pupils about how important and delicate their hearing is and to remind them of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music, among other important educational messages about hearing.

Hot on the heels of its successful appearance at schools across the country, several schools in Northamptonshire will now be playing host to the innovative 2010 Bionic Ear Roadshow, from national charity Deafness Research UK. Sponsored by BUPA, the September shows aim to use an hour’s performance featuring the world’s largest ear, to teach pupils about how important and delicate their hearing is and to remind them of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music, among other important educational messages about hearing.

Reigate primary school in Derby will be playing host to the innovative 2010 Bionic Ear Roadshow, from national charity Deafness Research UK in September. Sponsored by BUPA, the show aims to use an hour’s performance featuring the world’s largest ear, to teach pupils about how important and delicate their hearing is and to remind them of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music, among other important educational messages about hearing.

Four top university science and medical students have been awarded the Deafness Research UK Vacation Scholarships, giving them an opportunity to experience cutting-edge scientific research in action in hearing loss and tinnitus research laboratories.

National charity Deafness Research UK has had a fantastic response to its appeal for funds, thanks to a little help from friends like ‘5th Beatle’ Sir George Martin and the kindness of the BBC in scheduling a charity appeal broadcast on BBC Radio 4 charity appeal.

Deafness Research UK has awarded £15,000 towards a project at the University of Oxford and the Medical Research Council Mammalian Genetics Unit, Harwell looking into the genetics of ‘glue ear’ (Otitis Media). The contribution will go towards extending the research work in four NHS hospitals in Scotland to obtain genetic information from over 300 families. The project hopes to discover what the genetic causes of ear inflammation are, with the hope of understanding, treating and preventing this common problem.

Professor Mark Haggard CBE has been appointed Chairman of the national medical research charity for deaf and hard of hearing people, Deafness Research UK.

 In the wake of several appeals from national charity Deafness Research UK, many league and non league clubs are planning to ban the Vuvuzela from their grounds. 

A pioneering new research centre in the Midlands is set to become the first of its kind in the world to specialise in finding new ways to prevent, treat and ultimately find a cure for tinnitus.

The planned broadcast of the forthcoming BBC drama ‘The Silence’ has been praised by national charity Deafness Research UK for its potential to raise awareness of issues facing people with hearing impairments. With the show due to be aired on Monday 12 July on BBC One, the UK’s only leading dedicated to medical research into deafness and related conditions, is keen to see how the leading deaf actress is portrayed.

In July Gilbert Scott Primary school together with several other schools in Croydon will be playing host to the innovative 2010 Bionic Ear Roadshow, from national charity Deafness Research UK. Sponsored by BUPA, the show aims to use an hour’s performance featuring the world’s largest ear, to teach pupils about how important and delicate their hearing is and to remind them of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music.

It's not often you can say a lady is in fact a Gentleman (!), however national charity Deafness Research UK has announced a new recruit to the ranks who is indeed both. She is Sarah Gentleman, who as a seasoned communications professional joins the charity in the fight to promote and advance awareness of deafness and related conditions – and how Deafness Research UK can offer hope of treatments and cures.

Human regeneration sounds like something straight out of Dr Who, but science fiction could soon become science fact, as new research being undertaken by Deafness Research UK scientists at the UCL (University College London) Ear Institute (EI) investigates the regenerative power of birds - to see if some of their avian secrets could one day be used to regenerate the human auditory system. In humans, damage to the inner ear by factors such as loud noise and certain types of drugs can lead to permanent hearing damage, tinnitus and even profound deafness. This deterioration is usually due to loss of the sensory ‘hair’ cells contained in the inner ear. These are extremely susceptible to both sound and injury and once they die, humans cannot grow more; yet in birds, these dead cells in the inner ear can regenerate throughout a bird’s lifetime to restore its hearing.

Nobody ever died of deafness, but it remains a sad fact that millions of relationships are devastated every year and many marriages are badly affected as a result of one partner experiencing sudden and unexpected deafness. While this is a shattering event for the partner directly affected, research shows it also has a profound impact on the other partner as people struggle to cope with a new and frightening, silent reality.

National charity Deafness Research UK received a welcome boost ahead of Deaf Awareness Week (28 June – 4 July) when Professional Hearing Care and support specialists KIND Hearing agreed to donate £3 to the charity for each person who visits their branch during this week.

Beulah Junior school in Croydon will be playing host once more to the innovative 2010 Bionic Ear Roadshow, from national charity Deafness Research UK next week. Sponsored by BUPA, the show aims to use an hour’s performance featuring the world’s largest ear, to teach pupils about how important and delicate their hearing is and to remind them of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music, among other important educational messages about hearing.

Hot on the heels of its successful appearance at the Suffolk Show, several schools in Bury St. Edmunds will now be playing host to the innovative 2010 Bionic Ear Roadshow, from national charity Deafness Research UK. Sponsored by BUPA, the show aims to use an hour’s performance featuring the world’s largest ear, to teach pupils about how important and delicate their hearing is and to remind them of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music, among other important educational messages about hearing.

The World Cup may have kicked off in South Africa, but national charity Deafness Research UK is adding its voice to the warnings that the competition could also score an own goal - with football fans risking permanent noise induced hearing loss, from the constant use of Vuvuzela horns.

The country's medical charity for hearing impaired people, Deafness Research UK, has marked its silver jubilee with a prestigious Royal reception in the State Apartments, St James's Palace in the presence of the charity's Patron, His Royal Highness, The Duke of York KG. At the reception, His Royal Highness, who has been Patron of Deafness Research UK since 1986, met researchers, supporters and many of those who have benefited from the charity's work and was informed of the charity's new Auditory Centres of Excellence Initiative which aims to expand hearing research teams across the country.

Andrew Goodwin knows better than most why the work of Deafness Research UK needs further investment and support, so that future research into hearing aids, deafness, tinnitus and other deafness-related conditions can proceed as planned.

His Royal Highness, The Duke of York, KG, has applauded the ongoing work of national charity Deafness Research UK at a prestigious Royal reception in the State Apartments, St James’s Palace. The country’s medical charity for hearing impaired people, Deafness Research UK, marked its silver jubilee in the presence of the charity’s Patron, His Royal Highness, The Duke of York, who has supported the charity since 1986. His Royal Highness met researchers, supporters and many of those who have benefited from the charity’s work and was informed of the charity’s new Auditory Centres of Excellence Initiative which aims to expand hearing research teams across the country.

Cherubins Nursery school in Lambeth will be playing host on June 10 to the innovative 2010 Bionic Ear Roadshow, from national charity Deafness Research UK. Sponsored by BUPA, the show aims to use a performance featuring the world’s largest ear, to teach children about how important and delicate their hearing is and to remind them of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music, among other important educational messages about hearing.

Deafness Research UK, the national charity for medical research into hearing impairment, has cited the ConocoPhillips Year of the Ear program as an inspiring example of UK corporate social responsibility. ConocoPhillips, the international integrated energy and refining giant, has been making global efforts to promote awareness of the dangers of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and the ways of maintaining good hearing.

An exclusive fundraising event featuring legendary Beatles producer Sir George Martin raised over £26,000 recently for national charity Deafness Research UK.

The country's medical charity for hearing impaired people, Deafness Research UK, has marked its silver jubilee with a prestigious Royal reception in the State Apartments, St James’s Palace in the presence of the charity’s Patron, His Royal Highness, The Duke of York KG.

Leading charity Deafness Research UK is excited about new research published by Stanford University in the USA that complements stem cell research it funds in the UK.

Alarming new statistics released in Scotland show that reported cases of tinnitus among the young are on the increase, raising fears among national charities like Deafness Research UK that with constant misuse of music players at high volume, the so called ‘MP3 generation’ is putting their hearing at serious risk and storing up major trouble for the future.

Do you struggle to hear properly at parties and at other group gatherings? If so, you are not alone and your brain- rather than your ear - could be to blame for this inability to ‘zoom in’ on the person you want to hear.

The ‘World’s Largest Ear drums up hearing awareness in Norwood

22ft Bionic Ear reveals poor hearing in old age is not a given

National charity Deafness Research UK is sponsoring the Recent Advances in Paediatric Audiology (RAPA) symposium, to be held on 15th March 2010 to coincide with the National Knowledge Week for Hearing.

The famous science and education roadshow from Deafness Research UK arrives in Oxford

Deafness Research UK’s 22ft Bionic Ear comes to York Science Festival

The famous science and education roadshow proves loud music on the move is old school

National charity Deafness Research UK is publishing a new, free of charge leaflet aimed at offering help and advice to the five million people throughout the country who currently suffer from tinnitus.

A Bank of Scotland Corporate Real Estate manager is looking to deposit some much needed sponsorship money in the coffers of a national charity when he takes part in the first ever Brighton Marathon in aid of Deafness Research UK.

With the first ever Brighton Marathon on the horizon, London photographer Robert Piwko is hoping to 'capture' some vital funds for Deafness Research UK.

When Oxfordshire's Christopher Phillips decided to help raise money for national charity Deafness Research UK, he decided that in order to achieve his ambitions, he would have to get on his bike!

A regional manager from Beckenham in Kent is hoping that undertaking this year’s London Marathon in aid of Deafness Research UK will be a real achievement, both for himself, the Charity and the colleagues he is running with.

Many people entering the London Marathon do so to raise money for charity and while some are just looking to complete the course, some people like Staffordshire’s Chris Lakin are looking to put in a good time too.

Leading charity Deafness Research UK will have several runners raising funds for them in this year's London Marathon. Among them and not just looking to run a good race round the capital, but also hoping to raise some capital too will be Kevin Balfour.

Mark will make it a Day to remember on Sunday 18 April when he takes part in the first Brighton Marathon in aid of Deafness Research UK. Like thousands of other people throughout the country, Mark Day has suffered from severe tinnitus for many years and while he had not considered fundraising before, he made the decision that now would be the right time to complete the Brighton Marathon and help Deafness Research UK along the way.

Deafness Research UK, the national charity for medical research into hearing impairment, has cited the ConocoPhillips Year of the Ear program as an inspiring example of UK corporate social responsibility.

New research has found giving up caffeine does not relieve tinnitus and acute caffeine withdrawal might add to the problem. This is the first study of its kind to look at the effect of caffeine consumption on tinnitus.

A new study into hearing has uncovered the secret of our extraordinary ability to perceive a range of sounds - from a pin dropping to the roar of a jet engine - and could lead to a better understanding of deafness and hearing loss.

Minister for Veterans, Kevan Jones, praised the work of charities and other key stakeholders during a symposium on noise induced hearing loss jointly organised by the charity Deafness Research UK and the MoD at the UCL Ear Institute yesterday.

The charity Deafness Research UK has joined forces with researchers at Southampton University to give schoolchildren and their families a rare opportunity to shape the future diagnosis and treatment of glue ear.

New research shows lack of education may be to blame for continued resistance to hearing aids

The Deafness Research UK Pauline Ashley Prize 2010 has been awarded to Nick Leach, a PhD student at the University of Oxford, for his highly commended and ongoing research into how the hearing brain adapts to different sounds.

Westminster's leading ambassadors for deaf and hard of hearing people will have the opportunity to witness first hand the latest deafness research techniques and technologies tomorrow (Wednesday 14th October), when the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Deafness are hosted by Deafness Research UK at the UCL Ear Institute.

Deafness Research UK, the country's only charity dedicated to finding new cures, treatments and technologies for the deaf, hard of hearing and other hearing impaired people including tinnitus sufferers, has published a series of handy ‘Hearing Tips’ to help people make the most of their precious hearing.

Less than £2 per year still being spent on hearing research

Researchers at the Peninsula Medical School have received a grant of over £39,000 from the charity Deafness Research UK, to investigate the role of brain tumours causing deafness in children and adults and the development of therapies using in vitro models.

When 61 year old Carole Wilson from Praze-An-Beeble in Cornwall went for her weekly trip to the swimming baths, the last thing she expected was to be struck down with a virus which would result in her losing her hearing in one ear.

For 20 year old Daniel Whiteside of St Albans, working towards a degree and returning to education has been not only a learning experience but also a lesson in confidence building after a childhood being bullied about his hearing problems and hearing aids.

For 24 year old Charlotte Booth of Skipton, Yorkshire, living with a hearing impairment has always been part of her life. But when she also started suffering with tinnitus last year, coping with the constant noise proved difficult to come to terms with.

We can all now take a simple, practical step towards funding research into tinnitus and deafness, by supporting Deafness Research UK’s mobile phone recycling initiative. Deafness Research UK has teamed up with Regenersis to create a mobile phone recycling programme aimed at funding further deafness research projects.

A deaf relative has inspired Sam Warriner of Lewisham in London, to run this year’s London marathon for Deafness Research UK.

A colleague and friend who has been partially deaf in one ear for most of her life, and is likely to become more severely deaf with time, has inspired a London man to run the marathon for Deafness Research UK.

Tom O’Reilly of Levenshulme in Manchester, has a hearing impairment and is running this year’s London marathon to raise awareness of unsafe noise levels at work – particularly in the construction industry.

Her mother’s profound deafness has inspired Maxine Marshall of Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire to run the London Marathon for Deafness Research UK.

Stan Inglis of Gorton in Manchester is now enjoying a happy retirement, travelling and doing the things he’s always wanted to do. Nonetheless, he does suffer with tinnitus and has been living with it for most of his life.

Deafness Research UK is delighted to announce that music industry legend Sir George Martin CBE has become a Vice President of the charity. Sir George’s role will be one of a non-executive ambassador, lending his name and generally supporting Deafness Research UK campaigns and marketing activity.

Deafness Research UK has received a runners-up award in the prestigious AMRC (The Association of Medical Research Charities) Science Communication Awards 2009.

Research funded by RNID and Deafness Research UK has made a major breakthrough towards using stem cells as a treatment for hearing loss in the future.

Leading national charity Deafness Research UK is organising a groundbreaking children’s audiology forum on Monday 16 March. ‘Recent advances in paediatric audiology (RAPA): The challenges in taking research into practice’ will be held at the New Connaught Rooms and, is supported this year by an educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline.

Leading charity Deafness Research UK is celebrating a major success after The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidance on the use of cochlear implants for children and adults with severe to profound deafness.

Coping with the debilitating condition of tinnitus could become that bit easier thanks to a new blog being set up by leading charity Deafness Research UK.

Parents worried about children’s ear infections and not sure where to turn can now get up-to-date advice and guidance from leading national charity Deafness Research UK, which has just published its new leaflet Ear infections and glue ear in children.

Children with ear infections are being given antibiotics as a perceived quick fix, when in fact they are not the solution for many and may prove useless, according to leading national charity Deafness Research UK. It is estimated that the cost of these antibiotics runs into many millions of pounds over the years, and even more worryingly, some children may suffer long-term developmental problems as a result of improper treatment of ear conditions at a young age. 

Lucy Burns from Cheshire was taken by surprise when her baby daughter experienced glue ear and some hearing loss, and thinks parents need to be better informed so they can spot the signs earlier and seek appropriate treatment. When baby Ciara underwent hearing tests at the age of 14 months she was found to have glue ear. Having Down’s syndrome meant she was more at risk, but Ciara’s mum Lucy hadn’t suspected there was a problem.

A Derbyshire mum was shocked at the severity of the ear infections suffered by her son, and believes that if she had been better informed, he might have been referred for specialist treatment earlier. Davinia Gill’s son Tee-Jay, age 4 from Ilkeston in Derbyshire, suffered repeatedly with middle ear infections between November 2007 and May 2008.

A Leeds mum is urging parents to become better informed about children’s ear infections following her less than positive experiences when trying to get a diagnosis and cure for her daughter, Eliza.

Samantha Leonard’s son Cade suffered a lot with ear infections, colds and sore throats as a baby and Samantha recalls that he failed a hearing test at 9 months old carried out by a health visitor, but this was never followed up. She admits that she didn’t think anything of it at the time, assuming she would have been contacted if her health visitor was concerned. Samantha recalls that as a baby and toddler Cade was prescribed antibiotics on numerous occasions for ‘ear infections’ which she only learned later may not have helped.

The leading charity Deafness Research UK has announced a national competition for young deaf people to put forward their ideas about where research into deafness should head over the next twenty years.

Kate Cook of Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, has had noises in her ears for about a quarter of a century. Six years ago, it became an almost constant distraction, seriously affecting her quality of life. As she struggles to cope with tinnitus, the 43-year-old is struck by the lack of awareness, support and treatment for sufferers and believes there is a shortage of funding for research.

Karl Holtby of Hull has had tinnitus for over a decade. For most of that time the noises in his ears were just a gentle, bearable buzzing, but he was still able to live his life normally. Karl barely noticed the condition until around twelve months ago when it took a turn for the worse and the noises in his ears suddenly became much louder for no apparent reason. Now the 34-year-old has been left to wrestle with an incurable condition which is seemingly impossible to treat.

New research, published in the current edition of in PLoS Genetics has defined a mutation in the mouse genome that closely mimics progressive hearing loss in humans.

Parents urged to ‘protect the ones they love’

Less than £2 per capita funding for deafness research

The Deafness Research UK Pauline Ashley Prize 2009 has been awarded to Rosemary Lovett, a third year Psychology PhD student at the University of York.

Deafness Research UK has organised a rare opportunity for the public to meet the scientists who are working to find treatments and cures for tinnitus, and find out about the cutting edge tinnitus research in progress.

New research published today in the journal Current Biology has added significantly to our understanding of how the ear works, giving hope to millions of deaf and hard of hearing people.

John Blake has been appointed the new Head of Individual Giving of medical research charity Deafness Research UK, the country’s leading charity in the field of hearing research and the only national charity dedicated to finding cures for deafness, tinnitus and other hearing problems.

Deafness Research UK’s innovative science and education roadshow hits Liverpool

Research published this week in the journal Nature gives millions of deaf and hard of hearing people new hope of new gene or drug treatments for deafness and has been welcomed as a significant breakthrough by the country’s only medical research charity for deaf people, Deafness Research UK.

Deafness Research UK has published its top tips for the safe use of MP3 players, following research by the charity that shows too many people are putting their hearing at risk by listening to MP3 players too loudly for too long.

You’re not alone, and help is at hand from leading national charity

Ruwan Perera has been appointed the new Director of Development of medical research charity “Deafness Research UK” the leading charity in the field of medical research and the only national charity dedicated to finding cures for deafness, tinnitus and other hearing problems.

The charity Deafness Research UK has launched an innovative new roadshow to remind young people of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music if they don’t turn down the volume on their MP3 players.

At just 33, David Brinn of Calne near Swindon, Wiltshire, is one of a growing number of young people to be tormented by tinnitus – a condition normally associated with older people. David blames listening to loud music on an MP3 player for prolonged periods as the cause of his hearing loss and tinnitus, and now wishes he had followed his father’s advice to “turn down the volume.”

Ngaire Lowndes of London has suffered from a constant high frequency ringing sound in her ears for four years. It gets worse in the evening when she is trying to relax and also when she is stressed, tired or angry, and particularly when she is exposed to any loud noise.