Struggling for Silence: The Story of Gaby Olthuis

[Starthrower]

@Hazel how has the feedback been regarding this interview? I don't check Facebook or other social media sites.

Did the BTA respond at all?

 

[Hazel]

@Hazel how has the feedback been regarding this interview? I don't check Facebook or other social media sites.

We got some nice responses on Facebook, but not a lot of discussion. Overall number of views at this time are about 10,000, which is nice but not great (some of our videos have gotten over 100,000 views). We also know a lot of those people will have watched only the first few minutes.

To be honest, I had expected more of a push from members in terms of promoting this video. We've been hearing for years that this is the kind of content our members (or at least a very vocal contingent of our members) want out there for awareness raising. But now that it's out there not a lot of people seem to be pushing it. It does take time and effort to promote this kind of content and get people to watch it. We paid for some targeted Facebook ads, but beyond that just don't have the time for promotion at the moment.

Did the BTA respond at all?

No we have not heard from them on this. I'm not sure whether/how something like this would fit in their strategy, and I don't want to make too many interpretations on their behalf.

 

[Starthrower]

Regarding the BTA, I was just expecting something along the lines of nice job. Perhaps just recognition of this very powerful interview and how it was done with such integrity and professionalism.

I am disappointed - greatly.

We often recognize the BTA's efforts here.

We've been hearing for years that this is the kind of content our members (or at least a very vocal contingent of our members) want out there for awareness raising. But now that it's out there not a lot of people seem to be pushing it.

Yes I get this. People want to hear the "story" but then just do nothing. I am sure Joan has gone through these emotions also. One puts their heart and soul into awareness to be... I don't know the word right now.

But... always remember it made a difference.

 

[GSC]

I tweeted the big hitters this video. Tomorrow is when I plan to go into the #tinnitus hashtag on Twitter and link it to everyone there.

 

[Starthrower]

No we have not heard from them on this

I just do not understand why the BTA would not at the least recognize @Hazel's and Joan's interview.

To me this is unacceptable when they use us for feedback and support.

I went through this with the ATA years ago. Things have not changed. Organizations have their own agendas and refuse to work together with the very people who donate towards the organizations.

 

[GSC]

I wish someone big would bite and just spread it. Omfg.

 

[TuxedoCat]

To be honest, I had expected more of a push from members in terms of promoting this video.

I have not yet watched the video but the remarks made here lead me to think it is very well done.

Personally, I would like to see it used at one or more professional research meetings, perhaps at the opening of the meeting, so that researchers can fully embrace the depth of the need the tinnitus community has for their work. Other's stories such as Jazzer's might fit in as well.

TC

 

[Starthrower]

Personally, I would like to see it used at one or more professional research meetings, perhaps at the opening of the meeting, so that researchers can fully embrace the depth of the need the tinnitus community has for their work. Other's stories such as Jazzer's might fit in as well.

I agree and add @Samantha R's story.

 

[GSC]

Has the BTA still not responded?

 

[Ed209]

You already know my thoughts on this production, but I'd like to publicly reiterate that the sheer professionalism that exudes from it on a near-zero budget is mind-blowing. I appreciate the insane amount of hours that went into making it and believe it poignantly shows the darker side of tinnitus in a way that makes the audience think.

Hazel handles the interview brilliantly and asks the questions very respectfully. I know you had an intense time with the audio (Markku), but you got around it and your hard work ultimately paid off. This video will live on forever and will be a testament to Gaby's life.

 

[josh77]

She was very lucky to have a doctor to help. It sucks to have to handle yourself or blow your own head off.

 

[Ricardo1991]

I wish I had never watched the original video, unfortunately it was pushed to me by YouTube when I first got tinnitus. It scared the hell out of me. It still scares me today. I have made major progress over the past few years but recently a spike has me feeling very low, especially at the 5 year mark.

But your interview with Gaby's mother was great. Even just watching Part 1 has given me hope.

Thank you for making and sharing this.

 

[Ken219]

I have made major progress over the past few years but recently a spike has me feeling very low, especially at the 5 year mark.

Sorry to say, the 5-year cycle will get shorter. I hope for better treatments or a cure. A device is not a treatment.

 

[Ricardo1991]

Sorry to say, the 5-year cycle will get shorter. I hope for better treatments or a cure. A device is not a treatment.

I'm not sure what you're getting at sorry. What do you mean?

 

[Ken219]

I'm not sure what you're getting at sorry. What do you mean?

As a 30 year sufferer I've had many spikes. It was just an FYI what to expect. I could be wrong.

 

[Ricardo1991]

As a 30 year sufferer I've had many spikes. It was just an FYI what to expect. I could be wrong.

Oh I see. Yes I can imagine. Well I've had many spikes over the years, just saying because this last one seems so different but who knows anymore.

 

[UKBloke]

It scared the hell out of me. It still scares me today.

There's something really important to consider when watching the film. Around the 10:50 mark, Gaby's mother talks about how Gaby had always been sensitive to sound, even as a child. She would come downstairs and ask the parents to turn down the TV, which they would do despite thinking themselves it wasn't that loud.

It's this that makes me believe Gaby was likely born with some kind of breakage in her own hearing system that the vast majority of us don't have, and that perhaps that was the underlying reason, which ultimately led to such unbearable levels of hyperacusis and tinnitus after the trauma of being exposed to the noise of a bomb no less. It's a heartbreaking story but I do think Gaby's case is very unusual.

 

[BuzzyBee]

I wish I had never watched the original video, unfortunately it was pushed to me by YouTube when I first got tinnitus. It scared the hell out of me. It still scares me today. I have made major progress over the past few years but recently a spike has me feeling very low, especially at the 5 year mark.

Agree. Sometimes I wish I'd never seen it, but on the other hand I'm glad it was done to raise awareness.

 

[Ken219]

Oh I see. Yes I can imagine. Well I've had many spikes over the years, just saying because this last one seems so different but who knows anymore.

I watched the video and it hit me hard. I cried like I lost a family member.

G-d bless Gaby.