Heroes of Tinnitus Awareness Week 2012

The tinnitus community is filled with unheralded stars who are working through their own struggles with tinnitus and help others with the condition, plus raise necessary funds for tinnitus research. The following is an overview of some of the people taking part in this year's national Tinnitus Awareness Week.
 

Mark Church

Mark has been a supporter of ATA's efforts for almost 10 years and is currently the National Tour de Tinnitus Director. An avid fisherman, dog, and nature lover, he has turned the difficulty of living with tinnitus into an opportunity to help others. Not one to back down from a challenge, Mark created the innovative idea of having a nationwide bike ride to help fund tinnitus research.

Mark's efforts go beyond fund raising and increasing awareness of tinnitus. In 2009, Mark participated in a study of rTMS and here is his story. Read more about Mark and support his Tour de Tinnitus team at https://bike.ata.org/team-pages/easy-riders.

Mark Church, National Tour de Tinnitus Director, prepares
to ride the Katy Trail in Missouri as part of TAW 2012

Sal Gentile

Diagnosed with tinnitus in July 2011, Sal's world of quiet came to an end. "My ears started ringing. They started hissing, machine-types of loud noises. That's basically the only way I can describe it." After visiting numerous ENTs for answers, he turned to ATA and its community of members for help.

"After struggling with tinnitus, I had remembered that I recently read an article from the American Tinnitus Association. I joined the ATA and found myself surrounded by support from their Facebook website where many affected people share ideas for coping strategies. I have been using these techniques for some time now and have continued to learn to retrain my brain to cope with my tinnitus."

Sal was inspired by fellow ATA member Mark Church and his innagural start of the Tour de Tinnitus last summer and decided to participate by riding 100 miles in the balmy Florida weather to help raise funds for tinnitus research. He has raised over $4,500 so far! Learn more about Sal and support his Tour de Tinnitus team at https://bike.ata.org/team-pages/top-of-the-bay.

Watch Sal as he appears on Tampa's local ABC news affiliate and talks about
his battle with tinnitus and planned 100-mile ride on Saturday, May 19

Senator James Inhofe

Since 2007, ATA has been giving an annual award to U.S. government representatives who have worked to increase tinnitus research funding at the federal level. Senator Inhofe received ATA's 2012 Senate Legislative Champion Award for his dedicated efforts to include tinnitus research and funding to the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012.

Senator Inhofe (center) accepting award from ATA representatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), recently received the Senate Legislative Champion Award by the American Tinnitus Association (ATA) for his dedicated efforts to include tinnitus research and funding to the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12). Ultimately, an amendment that would have addressed hearing injuries and hearing loss of service members failed, but will be resubmitted to this annual legislation for FY13.

“Our men and women in uniform deserve the best treatment for their selfless sacrifice,” said Inhofe. “With over 214,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans diagnosed with tinnitus, we must ensure they receive the proper resources to treat this debilitating condition. Last year, during the FY12 NDAA markup, I was dissatisfied with the failure of an amendment that would further assist our nation’s veterans. As the second ranking member of the SASC, I look forward to once again supporting a similar measure in FY13 that will address and treat this condition found in many of our nation’s veterans.” 
 
ATA Director of Public Affairs Jennifer Born said, "ATA is so appreciative of Senator Inhofe's demonstrated leadership in the fight to silence tinnitus. With the staggering increases in service-connected disability for tinnitus in veterans, and with tinnitus being the number one service-connected disability for veterans, tinnitus is a condition that needs the support and attention of Congress now, more than ever. Senator Inhofe was a much deserving candidate for this award and we were so pleased to be able to honor him with our 2011 Senate Legislative Champion award."
 
Mark Packer, M.D.
 
In the spirit of Tinnitus Awareness Week, Colonel Mark Packer, Interim Executive Director for the Department of Defense's Hearing Center of Excellence, and an M.D. board certified neurotologist, appeared on Jim Bohannon's nationwide radio show on Friday, May 19. Mark was joined on the program by Andrea Boidman, Executive Director of the Hearing Health Foundation, and discussed U.S. veteran's prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss and what is being done at the federal level to help.
 
Click here to listen to the show.
(Note: Mark's portion appears approximately 40 minutes into the program)
 
Read a recent Tinnitus Today article about Dr. Packer's presentation at the Friends of the Congressional Hearing Health Caucus (CHHC) on February 8, 2012

 

Bradley Vite

Joining the ATA Board of Directors in 2011, Bradley Vite suffers from tinnitus and hyperacusis, a sensitivity to certain sounds. Bradley’s primary focus is to help raise awareness of tinnitus and hyperacusis and to increase support for research on both these conditions. Bradley’s experience with fundraising, advocacy and public relations is a big benefit to the ATA and its supporters.

Having completed two public service announcements for ATA, including one with Gale Sayers of Chicago Bears football fame, he has just begun to aid ATA with increased awareness. For Tinnitus Awareness Week 2012, Bradley placed press releases about the national event in newspapers throughout his home state of Indiana. Read more about Bradley's efforts in reducing noise in his community.

Bradley produced a PSA with Football Hall of Fame legend Gale Sayers

Are YOU a Tinnitus Awareness Week hero? Send us your story!

 

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