Question: Just wondering if anyone out there knows whats going on and where regarding tinnitus research at the moment. From what I can see there is the occasional small study going on here and there but there doesn't seem to be any really substansial and sustained effort going on anywhere. I have seen some of the work carried out eg using fMRI and its encouraging but it always seems to be a small scale study with limited aims. Is it because the condition is trivial ( i dont think so ), intractable or a cure / relief is not financially viable?? Or something else ? I find it puzzling as I would have expected a lot more to be happening. Maybe there is a lot more happening - it would be nice to know where the research is going and some details. It would be interesting to know the recent research milestones ( if any ?? ) and future directions / timing.

Answer: Jim Chinnis just wrote an extensive article summarizing the tinnitus-related research presented at the 2001 meeting of the Association for Research on Otolaryngology. In the article he reviewed papers presented in the areas of Chemistry, Ablation, Effects of Muscle Tension, Electrical Stimulation, and "All the Rest." The article appeared in the June 2001 issue of Tinnitus Today. It can be downloaded at the members section of the American Tinnitus Association website www.ata.org

I do not believe you are an ATA member, Pad, but I know you do support the British Tinnitus Association. I am sure that Val Rose of the BTA has a copy of Jim's article and will be happy to send it to you.

Alternatively you or any other readers of this board can contact me via e-mail, and I will fax it to you.

National tinnitus organizations are important to us all. I am glad that you, Pad, support the BTA. (I myself am a dues-paying member of the American Tinnitus Association, the British Tinnitus Association, AND the Australian Tinnitus Association.)

To join the American Tinnitus Association, visit www.ata.org - support research and receive "Tinnitus Today," the quarterly journal of the ATA.

To join the British Tinnitus Association, visit www.tinnitus.org.uk/ - support research and receive "Quiet," the quarterly journal of the BTA.

To join the Australian Tinnitus Association, visit www.tinnitus.asn.au/ - support research and receive "Tinnitus Talk," the quarterly journal of the (other!) ATA.