News/Publications

About the world of tinnitus

ATA’s dedicated staff is working hard every day to make progress in the search for a tinnitus cure. We’re awarding grants to researchers and receiving support from generous donors. We're making headway in Congress and participating in notable conferences and other activities that raise public awareness. In this section, you’ll find out about the latest research, ATA’s news-making activities and other tinnitus-related developments.

Tinnitus in the News

New York Times highlights tinnitus research

This article, which appears in the Apr. 1, 2008 edition of The New York Times, highlights the advances made in tinnitus research over the past five years and why researchers are so optimistic about finding a cure for this harrowing condition. Featured in the article are Drs. Richard Salvi, Thomas Brozoski and Anthony Cacace, all members of ATA’s Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), and ATA-funded researcher, Dr. Jennifer Melcher of Harvard University.

Tinnitus featured on Good Morning America

On Monday April 7, 2008, Good Morning America featured a segment on tinnitus and new sound therapies to help treat this devastating condition. Also included in the story was Richard Salvi, Ph.D., Director for The Center for Hearing and Deafness at State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Salvi is the current chair of ATA’s Scientific Advisory Committee. Read more here and/or view the segment on the ABC Web site (click on the top video). (Read more about tinnitus and who is at risk in ATA's How Loud is too Loud section.)

U.S. Troops Returning With More Hearing Damage

The Associated Press broke a story on March 7, 2008 about the vast numbers of military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with tinnitus and other hearing damage. The article featured The American Tinnitus Association as an expert resource for analytical data pertaining to the growing number of military personnel afflicted with this harrowing condition. Over 200 major news Web sites including MSNBC, Yahoo News and CBS featured the AP story.

Sound Therapies Overview

The Wall Street Journal, in its March 4, 2008 edition, referenced ATA in an article focusing on sound therapies, including “Neruromonics” and “Tinnitus Retraining Therapy.” Featured in the article are Dr. Craig Newman of the Cleveland Clinic, who currently serves on ATA’s Scientific Advisory Committee; Dr. Craig Kasper of the The New York Otolaryngology Group, who is part of ATA’s New York City Fund Raising Council; and Dr. Pawel Jastreboff, a past ATA grant recipient, of the Emory University Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Clinic.

Marine Corps Times

In an article recently published in The Marine Corps Times, ATA CEO David Fagerlie, speaks to a significant health problem within military personnel. Tinnitus is currently the number one service-connected disability in combat personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The article also highlights the changing perceptions of active duty military personnel and military leaders as they become increasingly concerned about their long-term hearing health. As a result of this shift in thinking, the military is testing new devices for use in combat situations that both allow for audibility and protect the ear.

More Research Funding for Tinnitus

The February 2008 issue of ADVANCE for Audiologists included an article by Jennifer DuPriest, ATA Director of Public Affairs. The article highlights the recent success celebrated by ATA – advocacy efforts that helped  increase research funding available for tinnitus investigation in the 2008 Department of Defense Appropriations bill. The article also stressed why these research dollars are important to health professionals who treat tinnitus patients.

Malady of the 21st Century

An article in The News-Gazette, a Southern Illinois newspaper, featured ATA as the go-to resource for information on tinnitus. It also highlights current, ongoing research at Southern Illinois University and discusses the scope of the tinnitus problem in the United States.

New Hope for Easing the Torment of Tinnitus

ATA CEO, David Fagerlie, is featured in the January/February 2008 issue of The Hearing Journal. This cover story highlights the problem of tinnitus; current research being done; and ATA’s efforts to help find a cure. Additionally, the article highlights how important it is for professionals to receive training on tinnitus therapies, and how critical research is to finding a cure. Used with the permission of The Hearing Journal and Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, the publisher.

Chicagoland director in the newest issue of The Hearing Journal

ATA’s selection of Caren Sharp as the Chicagoland director is highlighted in the most recent issue of The Hearing Journal, a trade magazine for hearing health professionals. Read ATA’s press release about our new director and about our Chicagoland chapter.

New treatment shows promise for tinnitus patients

A recent article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette features Neuromonics, one of the latest sound therapies available for tinnitus patients. Additionally, tinnitus expert Dr. Craig Newman of the Cleveland Clinic and ATA’s Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), explains ATA’s Roadmap to a Cure. He also discusses why Neuromonics may be an appealing treatment for some patients.

Dr. Craig Kasper helps promote hearing health for MP3 users and musicians

In an article in the Kalamazoo Gazette in Michigan state, Craig Kasper, Au.D., a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association and a member of ATA's New York Fundraising Council, speaks directly about the use of MP3 players and their potential affects on hearing. He also offers advice for musicians (who are at risk for hearing loss and tinnitus) on how to help protect their hearing.

A major breakthrough in hair cell research

In a breakthrough that will accelerate the pace of hearing loss, tinnitus and balance research, scientists have discovered a way to reproduce inner ear hair cells (the nerves that transmit sound to the brain) in the laboratory. Hair cell death is the catalyst, researchers believe, for the brain changes that generate tinnitus. If they  can find a way to cause human hair cells to regenerate (which they do naturally in birds and other vertebrates), they may be able to restore hearing and silence tinnitus.  Previously, scientists have had to do painstaking animal-ear dissections in order to obtain hair cells for study. By cutting out this time consuming and difficult process, this new technique allows them to greatly expand the scope and speed of their research.

SAC Chair wins $2.9 Tinnitus Grant from NIH

Dr. Richard Salvi, ATA's Scientific Advisory Chair and Director of the Center for Hearing and Deafness at State University of New York, Buffalo, was recently awarded $2.9 million for tinnitus research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  Dr. Salvi will attempt to identify which neural activity in the brain corresponds to tinnitus onset, and how pharmaceuticals may help to suppress tinnitus.  Learn more about Dr. Salvi's research.  SAC member Dr. Jay Piccirillo at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. was also awarded a multi-million dollar NIH grant to study repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a potential tinnitus treatment.  We offer our hearty congratulations to them both! 

Dramatic advances in tinnitus research July 2007

Doctors and researchers are able to “see” areas of the brain that may be related to tinnitus, thanks to sophisticated imaging techniques. Newsday has the scoop in this article that explains tinnitus, describes one tinnitus patient’s experience and quotes tinnitus researcher Dr. Richard Salvi of the University of Buffalo, a member of ATA’s board of directors and Scientific Advisory Committee. Read more.

Veterans and tinnitus July 2007

An alarmingly high number of veterans from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan come home only to wage a personal battle against tinnitus. Read about one Iraq vet’s struggle to cope with tinnitus; how military officials are responding to this crisis; and what tinnitus experts have to say about this growing problem. This Buffalo News article quotes Jennifer DuPriest, ATA's director of public policy, and researcher Dr. Richard Salvi of the University of Buffalo, a member of ATA’s board of directors and Scientific Advisory Committee. Read more.

Hope for a cure July 2007

ATA CEO David Fagerlie and ATA’s mission to cure tinnitus are featured in this Seattle Times article about one man’s longtime struggle with tinnitus and new treatments that help tinnitus patients manage their condition. Read more.

Press releases

Take a look at ATA's press releases.

Publications

Tinnitus Today  is the American Tinnitus Association's informative journal for patients, researchers and healthcare professionals who are ATA members. Published three times a year, Tinnitus Today features the latest developments in research and treatments, a question-and-answer column, contributions from people with tinnitus in our Letters to the Editor and more.

To start or continue to receive Tinnitus Today join ATA or renew your membership. You can also order back issues.

ATA offers brochures, books, audio and video tools and other materials to help you learn about and manage your tinnitus. ATA members receive discounts on their orders. Take a look.

Media contact
Jennifer@ata.org