National Health Council — Voluntary Health Agency Guide

American Tinnitus Association

The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) was founded in 1971 to raise funds for research to find a cure for tinnitus, the "ringing in the ears" experienced by an estimated 50 million Americans. To date, it has given over $2.5 million to research projects reflecting its commitment to a cure.

A voluntary health agency supported entirely by private donations, ATA is guided by its strategic action plan, with clearly defined goals to help the Association acheive its mission: to silence tinnitus through education, advocacy, research, and support. It is estimated that 12 million Americans have tinnitus in its most severe and debilitating form, but countless thousands have learned to cope with the constant sound.

About the condition(s):

Tinnitus is the medical term for the constant ringing, hissing, or other distressing noises that people hear in their ears or heads. People who have tinnitus are often distressed by the unending noise, have trouble sleeping, concentrating on their work, and enjoying recreational acitivities. An estimated 50 million Americans experience tinnitus. And of those, 12 million have it severely enough to seek medical care.