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Second World War veteran Jack Shapiro |
Sound advice: War veteran Jack goes into battle to help sufferers of tinnitus
‘Soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq could be at risk from hearing condition’
JACK Shapiro wasn’t given any earplugs as a young gunman during the Second World War.
As a result, the 93-year-old, who shot down aircraft for the Hampstead Home Guard, has suffered with acute hearing difficulties throughout his life.
In 1978, doctors were stumped after his condition worsened. It was tinnitus.
He says: “I started hearing funny noises in my head. I couldn’t get rid of them. But nobody could tell me what to do. I wrote an article about it in a local newspaper and 400 people got in touch. In 1979, we met the MP Jack Ashley in the House of Commons and we passed a resolution forming the British Tinnitus Association.”
The BTA celebrated its 30th anniversary in July. The association has helped tens of thousands of sufferers with advice and by linking them to one of 137 self-help groups, providing relaxation and de-stress classes, across the country.
Tinnitus is a term that describes the sensation of hearing a noise in the absence of an external sound. Ringing, whistling and buzzing are common but more complex sounds may also occur. It is often triggered by loud unexpected noises, and is aggravated by stress.
He says: “So many of these soldiers, sailors and airman who are coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan have been exposed to loud and disturbing noises, bangs from bombs – the sort of things that set off people’s tinnitus. They are trying to get compensation, but they are told there’s nothing wrong with them. We are there for them with support groups and advice. It is very different to when I realised I had it.
“I find the best way to cope is to keep busy and simply ignore it. Some people can’t do that but that’s what I try to do. I was supposed to retire at 65, then 70, then 80. I was still working at 85 but my wife said she would divorce me unless I stopped working.”
Mr Shapiro worked as a financial consultant for his whole life. He had amassed 3,000 clients when he retired aged 85.
He says: “I come from a crop that believes in determination and being able to decide what to do with your life. If you can give a helping hand along the way, all the better. It will make you happy. Satisfaction from that is very under-rated.”
Mr Shapiro’s wife passed away in December. They had been together for 75 years and he admits that the stress brought on by her death has caused his constant tinnitus to return.
But Mr Shapiro, who at 92 remains an active vice-president of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People after more than 50 years since he became a trustee, is not about to stop his campaigning work.
He says: “Doctors have always said that tinnitus is a symptom of something that is wrong in the head and that it cannot be cured. But I don’t see why not. We have raised £250,000 to fund a researcher in the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital in Gray’s Inn Road. In three to five years we expect to have the beginnings of a cure.
“Thirty years ago, there was no help for people with tinnitus. Now there is an ever-growing interest in a solution for the condition and our campaigning has encouraged healthcare professionals to become knowledgeable in treating people with tinnitus.”
It is estimated five million people suffer from tinnitus in this country.
For more advice about tinnitus call the BTA freephone helpline on 0800 018 0527 or visit the British Tinnitus Association online at www.tinnitus.org.uk |
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