@jchinnis Thank you for the thoughtful reply and information regarding ATA activities, including the link about the DoD Hearing Center of Excellence. This information is greatly appreciated. And the ATA's lobbying activities are quite impressive. We must hope that our fractious Congress continues to fund tinnitus research.
I really think that advocacy groups that try to increase research into tinnitus have to rely on funds from those with tinnitus. That makes the potential pool of donors comparatively small. And unless those people who suffer from tinnitus are willing to support such groups themselves, it is going to be a slow, slow search for cures.
I'm unsure if anyone has an accurate estimate of how many people suffer from chronic tinnitus. But the numbers for acute tinnitus must be very high. If the acute sufferers could be consistently engaged, fundraising opportunities would increase manyfold.
Social networking offers new possibilities to connect with all tinnitus sufferers, and I know the ATA does have a Facebook presence. This is a beginning. Fundraising for younger sufferers will necessitate different strategies than for older ones. That's why tinnitus websites, such as TT, are important in increasing awareness.
And I do understand that tinnitus has a limited public appeal, unlike other chronic diseases. But people with tinnitus--whether acute or chronic--do have a great interest in tinnitus research as this site (TT) evidences. Turning this interest into hope are key to furthering fundraising efforts.
Using social media is one tactic to increase awareness about research; and such use would not increase costs. Perhaps, support groups could also be engaged to recruit members and increase public awareness. Coordinated throughout the country, local newspaper coverage might be additionally useful in increasing awareness, spreading news about research discoveries, and recruiting members. Such publicity is easily obtained in many communities for no charge. Unlike younger tinnitus sufferers, who do use the Internet and are active on social networking sites, older people with this disease are more likely to obtain information from a personal or written source. And, unfortunately, I do not believe the medical community is a good source for referrals. Nor are most audiologists.
Of course, all tinnitus sufferers should contribute to tinnitus research. Every little bit helps. Most importantly, the ATA's lobbying efforts continue to bring good things to tinnitus research.
Supporting the ATA and all tinnitus advocacy groups are critical to continue research into a cure. Because tinnitus is a brain disease, I'm not confident that efforts to restore hearing or otherwise repair the cochlea and related structures will abolish the tinnitus precept for chronic sufferers. That's why supporting tinnitus specific research is so important.
And I do hope the ATA's Walk to Silence Tinnitus was a success!
Member
