The American Tinnitus Association purpose is to promote relief, help prevent, and find cures for tinnitus. Starting in 1980, the association has granted close to $6 million in funding for tinnitus research. Many of these researchers have gone on to receive larger grants from the National Institutes of Health based on ATA-funded research. Contributions to the association also go towards advocacy work in Washington, D.C. It also distributes information about tinnitus, health care professionals. On December 1, 2017, the ATA moved its headquarters from Portland, Oregon to Vienna, VA.
History
The ATA was created as resource for the under served tinnitus community. Many tinnitus patients had been routinely disregarded by physicians who did not have the information they needed to proficiently treat and diagnose tinnitus patients. Jack Vernon, Ph.D. joined Dr. Charles Unice to form the ATA in 1971. The two met while Vernon was conducting clinical research at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, OR and began treating Unice for his tinnitus condition. With aim to raise money for tinnitus funding, the ATA was born. Portland, OR still serves as base for the organization. The ATA started in a small studio sized office and was staffed by Portland area volunteers. Since then the ATA has become the largest group of individual contributors that awards grant money for research relating to tinnitus. Until his death in 2010, Vernon was involved with the organization as an honorary board member, patient advocate, and general adviser.
The ATA's board of directors consists of a carefully chosen group of professionals. These professionals includes audiologists, researchers and tinnitus advocates. All participants have been influential in creating a nonprofit organization that aims to serve as a resource for tinnitus sufferers.
ATA's Scientific Advisory Committee, consists of scientists who are influential in the tinnitus community. The committee is in charge of choosing individuals for the grant awards. To apply for an ATA funded grant, applicants are required to show the relevance of their application to the Roadmap for a cure.
