The Roadmap to a Cure, Who Pays for Basic Science, and the Future of Tinnitus Research

ABSTRACT

The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) exists to cure tinnitus through the development of resources that advance tinnitus research. A large part of the population suffers from tinnitus, yet private donations to tinnitus research remain limited. This article explains who pays for tinnitus research: industry, government, and private and public philanthropy. To encourage larger donations, donors who suffer from tinnitus need to see a clear connection between their financial support of research and future treatments. An expanded version of the “Roadmap to a Cure,” adopted in its original form by the ATA, is offered as a vehicle to show how donor contributions can make a difference. Finally, this article gives an overview of certain issues of academic priority in research and the growing role of the financial value of intellectual property, and it explores how these issues relate to advancing tinnitus research.

KEYWORDS

American Tinnitus Association - Tinnitus Research Consortium - Tinnitus Research Initiative - roadmap - intellectual property

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