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The largest and longest standing U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charity devoted to dedicated to tinnitus.

For more than 50 years, ATA has focused on uniting people living with tinnitus, researchers, healthcare providers, and advocates to accelerate research, educate and promote awareness, improve care, and offer meaningful support.

A Patient Searching for Answers. A Researcher Willing to Listen.

In 1971, Charles Unice, MD, was living with tinnitus and struggling to find meaningful help. His search led him to Jack Vernon, PhD, one of the only researchers in the United States studying tinnitus at the time.

Their meeting grew into a friendship and a shared mission of finding better solutions.

Their partnership brought the lived experience and voice of a patient together with the expertise of a clinical researcher.

ATA was born.

Innovation from the Beginning

Unice and Vernon's shared mission turned into action.

For centuries, people had used externals sounds to mask the perception of tinnitus. By the late 1940s, hearing aids were providing relief to some people living with tinnitus.

Over a brown-bag lunch beside a city fountain, Unice realized that the water’s gentle noise made his tinnitus fade from awareness, and Vernon recognized the idea that would become tinnitus masking. Then Vernon hand an idea.

What if they could combine the two technologies a hearing-aid style electronic device capable of delivering masking at ear level?

Vernon began developing and patenting that technology alongside Robert Hocks (US Patent: US4222393A).

No, the solution was not for everyone everyone. Still, the invention was an important advancement that helped lay the foundation for modern sound therapy for tinnitus.

The spirit of innovation and collaboration continues to guide ATA today.

One Mission. Three Pillars.

Stronger Together.

Whether you live with tinnitus, support someone who does, provide care, conduct research or advocate for change, you have a place in the tinnitus community.

Join ATA today. Together, we can improve care and support, accelerate research toward a cure, and ensure that one one faces tinnitus alone.

Join the ATA Community

Questions About ATA Academy?

Contact ATA Academy Support

academy@ata.org

Questions about ATA?

Contact the American Tinnitus Association

P.O. Box 424049

Washington, DC 20042-4049 USA

800-634-8978

tinnitus@ata.org

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