A dedicated tinnitus healthcare centre is set to open on the Sunshine Coast, aiming to improve access to specialised support for residents living with the condition.
Tinnitus Relief Australia will open its new centre at 177 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba on Saturday, with a community open day from 10am to 2pm.
The opening comes as advocates work to challenge the misconception that tinnitus is something people simply have to “learn to live with”, with the condition affecting sleep, concentration, workplace productivity, mental wellbeing and quality of life.
CEO Jamie Manwarring said many people spend years navigating between GPs, hearing providers, specialists and mental health professionals without a clear pathway for assessment and management.
“While there isn’t a cure, there are evidence-based treatments that can make a life-changing difference,” he said.
“We’ve seen people regain the confidence to participate more fully in work, return to volunteering, reconnect with their communities, and enjoy precious moments with their children, grandchildren and loved ones again.
“No one should miss out on the moments that matter most simply because they were never told that help is available.”
The new centre has been established to provide a coordinated approach to tinnitus care, bringing together specialised assessment, patient education and evidence-based management delivered by a multidisciplinary team of specialists, all in one location.
While the service is available to anyone living with tinnitus, it also has a strong commitment to supporting Australia’s veteran community.
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Tinnitus remains one of the most commonly accepted service-related health conditions among Australian Defence Force veterans, but the condition also affects people from all walks of life, including tradespeople, teachers, musicians, emergency service workers and retirees.
“Regardless of how tinnitus develops – through military service, workplace noise exposure, hearing loss, ageing or other causes – it can significantly affect a person’s quality of life, influencing everything from sleep and mental wellbeing to work, social connection and family life,” Mr Manwarring said.
The Community Open Day will provide local residents and health professionals with an opportunity to tour the new centre, meet clinicians and learn more about tinnitus assessment and evidence-based management.
