Hazel Goedhart • Founder & Board Member of Tinnitus Quest
Foreword
Every Dutch person knows the name van der Valk. It’s the biggest hotel chain in the Netherlands, and from a young age all Dutch people learn to recognize its iconic logo of a Tucan bird across the country.
Imagine my surprise therefore to learn that a member of this famous family had heard of Tinnitus Quest and wanted to donate. I have since met him several times and gotten to know him as a very driven and highly compassionate man, who will do everything in his power to stop tinnitus. The tinnitus community is lucky to have an advocate and benefactor like Ben.
Ben Shares His Story
Hi, I am Ben van der Valk, 66 years of age. I am an owner and director at a large hotel chain. My tinnitus started when I was 57. While shooting clay pigeons without hearing protection, I sustained moderate hearing damage in my left ear. This triggered my tinnitus 5 years later, when I experienced a stressful situation in my personal life.
Because my tinnitus is so severe, I unfortunately had to give up my work. I could not function anymore and felt completely hopeless. I immediately made an appointment with my general practitioner, who referred me to an ENT specialist. There, I was simply told that I would have to learn to live with that terrible loud ringing in my left ear. Learn to live with it, I thought to myself — but how? I can no longer practice my profession, the job I love so much. I adore my children and grandchildren and want to be the father and grandfather they need. But this ringing makes that impossible. The most frustrating part is that there is no cure for what I have, and the days and nights are unbearable.
But I am not a quitter. “Cannot” does not exist in my vocabulary — that is my motto. So, I scoured the internet for anything that could help me, anything that might offer even the slightest relief. I tried all kinds of group and individual training programs, therapies, medications, hearing aids — you name it, I’ve tried it. I even traveled to several countries to try the latest treatments: Ireland, England, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Spain, and even the United States. But sadly, nothing brought me any relief.
My tinnitus only worsened, and with so little sleep, my body became so weakened that two years ago, I had a terrible fall, breaking my back in five places. I am still recovering from this, but the process is agonizingly slow because tinnitus makes rehabilitation extremely difficult and leaves me feeling so physically weak.
It is deeply disappointing that there is no cure for a condition that is such a widespread global problem. So many people suffer from this. That is why I support the Tinnitus Quest foundation and its founders, whom I know personally, and have donated a significant amount. There is a severe lack of funding, and I hope that others will also contribute, so that a solution can be found and more people can be helped.
I have immense respect for the people behind this foundation and trust that, with their team and vision, they will do everything in their power to find a solution for this debilitating condition.
NB: Ben’s donation consists of EUR 200.000 per year from 2025 to 2029, as laid down in a notarial agreement.
3 Comments
It is wonderful news, and I really appreciate that donation to help make a difference for people with tinnitus. We need more donations, both large and small, to support additional research. This one is truly impressive. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Ben! I have a fairly mild case of tinnitus that I got one year ago from a TMJ injury. My heart goes out to you and anyone who suffers with the more severe cases. You will be remembered in history as a great contributor to finally bringing the beauty of silence back to humanity.
Ben!
I’ve suffered from a DEBILITATING CASE OF TINNITUS for a couple of years.
It does not let me live a productive life.
I want to hug you and tell you how you made a random tinnitus sufferer feel. Your BIG DONATION gives me hope that OTHER wealthy people can also donate to Tinnitus Quest. WE NEED MORE RESEARCH! Tinnitus Quest fills a VOID.
THANK YOU, BEN!!!!