2014 American Tinnitus Association

Tinnitus Today, Silence Tomorrow

Slide 1 of 33 © 2014 American Tinnitus Association

Cara James Executive Director American Tinnitus Association

April 16, 2014

Disclaimer

The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) is not a provider of healthcare services and does not evaluate, diagnose or treat patients. ATA does not endorse specific products for the treatment of tinnitus. Any information disclosed is for general information only and should not take the place of a full medical consultation and evaluation by a trained healthcare professional.


What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus (TINN-i-tus)

preferred by clinicians

Tinnitus (ti-NIGHT-us)

preferred by patients

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ears or head where

no external source is present


How Common is Tinnitus?


Experience Tinnitus Bothersome Tinnitus

Debilitating Tinnitus

50 Million

16-20 Million

2-3 Million

Source: National Health Interview Survey (1999-2004), U.S. Centers for Disease Control

Male > Female Older > Younger Left Ear > Right Ear

The Cost of Tinnitus


840,000 VA / DOD Claims #1 Military Service-

Related Injury

$1.28 Billion / Year in Veterans / DOD Care

$26 Billion / Year Total Societal Cost

$30 K / Year Individual Economic Loss

Source: American Tinnitus Association, 2013

Causes of Tinnitus


Noise / Concussive Exposure

Head / Neck Injuries

Select Diseases / Disorders

Tumors (rare)

Earwax / Debris on eardrum

Jaw Conditions (TMJ)

Pathology of Tinnitus


1. Sound waves enter ear 2. Inner ear and cochlea amplify

and sort frequencies 3. Auditory nerve translates

sound waves into electrical stimuli

4. Auditory cortex recognizes, processes “sound”

5. Limbic system interprets emotional reaction to “sound”

ASYMPTOMATIC HEARING



1. Sound waves enter ear 2. Inner ear damage reduces

amplification & frequency recognition

3. Auditory cortex receives less auditory stimuli

4. The brain creates it’s own noise to compensate for loss

5. Limbic system interprets emotional reaction to new tinnitus “sound”

TINNITUS HEARING



IN THE EAR

• Damage to hair cells

• Damage to cochlea

• Damage to ear drum

• Obstructions in ear canal IN THE BRAIN

• Lack of “normal” auditory stimulation

• Neural feedback

• Negative emotional reaction to tinnitus sound

Sound & the Limbic System


You’re walking down the street and you hear a rattling sound…

Remedies for Tinnitus


There is presently no scientifically- validated cure for tinnitus.

There are no products currently on the market that have been consistently proven to fully eliminate the perception of tinnitus.


On the Horizon…


Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

(rTMS) Experimental Drugs

Neuromodulation



There are several scientifically-validated management techniques for tinnitus.

There are multiple proven treatments that help patients live full, happy lives even with the perception of tinnitus.

Sound Treatments

Behavioral Treatments

General Wellness

Sound Treatments


Sound Masking

Cochlear Implants (Deaf Patients Only)

Sound Therapy

Amplification (Hearing Aids)

Work by augmenting outside noise to “cover-up” the perception of tinnitus.

Behavioral Treatments


Progressive Tinnitus Management

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Mindfulness Therapy

Work by changing the patient’s behavioral and emotional reaction to tinnitus.

The Limbic System


Controls:

• Emotion

• Behavior

• Motivation

• Long-term memory

• Olfaction (smell)

Regulates how a patient responds to the perception of tinnitus.



The goal of behavioral therapies:

Wellness Approaches


Healthy Diet

Socializing

Stress Reduction

Exercise

Work by improving patient’s baseline health.

If you have tinnitus…


1. Go to your doctor




2. Find a specialist





3. Be informed about treatment options






4. Find the option(s) best suited to you







5. Take action & stick to it








6. Take care of yourself








6. Take care of yourself

7. Find a support network

About ATA


FOR PATIENTS

• Information & education

• Support services

• Research initiatives

• Connect with trained providers

FOR PROVIDERS

• Information & education

• Professional Development

• Outreach

FOR RESEARCHERS

• Pilot Grants

• Professional Development

• Student Outreach

ATA Funded Research


30 Years of Research

Nearly $6M Invested

Pilot Grants

Encouraging Future Research

Proven Treatments

“Roadmap to a Cure”

About ATA


TINNITUS TODAY

• Official ATA Membership Magazine

• 3 Issues a Year

• Patient Stories

• Latest Research

• Management Strategies

Thank You!


American Tinnitus Association 503-248-9985

[email protected] www.ATA.org

2014 American Tinnitus Association

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