The latest tinnitus news, research and support from the American Tinnitus Association
Volume 15: Sept. 15, 2025
From "Nothing Can Be Done" to a World of Possibility:
Our Story of Hope, Community, and Determination
We are deeply grateful to the thousands of you who took the time to respond to our survey and share what matters most to you when it comes to tinnitus. Leading the list were two priorities: practical tools for living with tinnitus and updates on research.
With that in mind, our September newsletter opens with a story that sits at the intersection of these two themes: Our own origin story, which is firmly tied to you!
ATA's Patient Powered Progress
In 1971, Charles Unice, MD, was told there was nothing anyone could do for his tinnitus. Instead of giving up, he searched for answers and found Jack Vernon, PhD, the only researcher studying tinnitus in the United States at that time. Their meeting sparked the creation of the American Tinnitus Association and its enduring mission to bring meaningful relief to individuals with tinnitus and to fuel research that advances better interventions and, ultimately, a cure. Their first meeting also led to a breakthrough that many patients rely on today: the first sound machine designed for tinnitus relief.
Today—54 years later—ATA has invested more than $7 million in seed grant research, paving the way for better scientific understanding of tinnitus and improved patient care. ATA-funded projects have led to many advancements, including:
- Foundational and emerging research on sound therapies that continue to inform today’s clinical care.
- Early investigations into neuroplasticity and brain stimulation as treatment approaches.
- Discoveries linking hearing loss, synaptic changes, and tinnitus onset, now a core focus in auditory neuroscience.
ATA Donors Fuel Nearly $500K in Groundbreaking Research
With your belief in our mission, ATA awarded nearly $500,000 in new research grants this past year alone. These established and emerging young investigators are blazing a trail—begun by Charles and Jack—with groundbreaking ideas.
Fueling the Next Wave of Innovation
With your support, young investigators are advancing the discoveries that form the foundation for prevention, better treatments, and future cures for tinnitus. Their fresh ideas, innovative approaches, and long-term commitment push the boundaries of science, sparking breakthroughs that will improve patient care and bring us closer to lasting solutions. Without dedicated funding, many young investigators are forced to leave tinnitus research altogether, seeking support in other fields to sustain their careers. Your generosity helps keep their talent and innovation focused on finding answers for tinnitus patients.
The Voices of Young ATA-Funded Researchers
“I was first introduced to the field of neuroimaging and tinnitus during my PhD, when I had the opportunity to meet and interact with severely affected individuals as part of our initial clinical trial using fMRI neurofeedback. These encounters left a lasting impression and sparked my curiosity about how the brain manages attention and auditory perception. I was struck by how fragmented our understanding of tinnitus in the brain still is.
Tinnitus remains one of the most widespread yet under-treated conditions in audiology and neuroscience. As someone deeply driven by the pursuit of understanding the brain, I saw a unique opportunity to apply neuroimaging to tinnitus research—hoping to contribute to more effective treatments and a clearer scientific understanding of this complex condition.
~Nicolas Gninenko, PhD
“I am a neurotologist and neuroscientist dedicated to a research career focused on elucidating the neural mechanisms underlying tinnitus perception and distress. As a surgeon-scientist, I place great importance on the potential role of my research in changing the lives of my patients for the better. I care for patients every day who are suffering from debilitating tinnitus that impacts their mood, concentration, productivity, and quality of life. However, the current treatment landscape offers limited options, underscoring the critical need for advancements in this field. I am therefore deeply passionate about this research and very much hope that our discoveries will open novel pathways for therapeutic development.”
~Josh Sturm, MD, PdD
“I’m interested in tinnitus research because tinnitus is all around me. Various family members, friends, colleagues, research volunteers (in studies not about tinnitus) have mentioned experiencing tinnitus at some point in time. With little known about it and less done about it, I’m hoping my research contributions can help to bridge some of the knowledge gaps about tinnitus risk factors among the people I know and beyond.”
~Diana Tang, PhD
Over the last 54 years, countless individuals and researchers have followed in the footsteps of ATA cofounders Charles Unice, MD, and Jack Vernon, PhD, to develop more effective evidence-based tools to ease the burden of tinnitus and bring us closer to silencing tinnitus. Because every breakthrough, every new treatment option, and every step toward a cure begins the same way it did in 1971—with someone who believes that change is possible and is willing to work for it—we invite you to join our mission!