American Tinnitus Association

History

The ATA was created as a resource for the underserved tinnitus community, as some physicians lack the information to proficiently treat and diagnose tinnitus patients. Jack Vernon, Ph.D., and Doctor Charles Unice formed the organization in 1971 after meeting while Vernon conducted clinical research at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon, and began treating Unice for his tinnitus.

The ATA started in a studio-sized office staffed by Portland area volunteers and has since become the largest group of individual contributors awarding grant money for tinnitus research. Vernon remained involved as an honorary board member, patient advocate, and general adviser until his death in 2010. On December 1, 2017, the ATA moved its headquarters from Portland, Oregon, to Vienna, Virginia.

Programs and resources

Since 1980, the ATA has granted around $6 million in seed funding for tinnitus research. Many researchers have used ATA-funded data to apply for larger federal grants from the Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders. Tinnitus Today is a magazine for the tinnitus patient community, research, and healthcare providers, featuring patient stories, management strategies, treatment information, help tools, and research updates.

The ATA hosts the international "Conversations in Tinnitus" podcast covering topics such as noninvasive neuromodulation, habituation using cognitive behavioral therapy, implementing successful treatment, ototoxicity, and over-the-counter medications. The ATA provides tinnitus support groups to promote awareness, improve treatments, and support the 25 million Americans with tinnitus; 22 independent groups in the United States allow people to share experiences, coping strategies, and information.

Committees

The Board of Directors, which includes tinnitus patients, audiologists, researchers, and advocates, makes the final call on which grant proposals get funded. These proposals first pass through a 17-member Scientific Advisory Committee that reviews them. The board shapes the nonprofit into a key resource for those with tinnitus.