How Important Is Money for Tinnitus Research?

Okay, obviously money is very important. But what I actually mean to ask: how dependent is a cure for tinnitus and hearing loss on money?

Let’s say Jeff Bezos donated his entire net worth to tinnitus and hearing loss research, would it be very likely a cure for tinnitus would follow soon, or would it still be a gamble?

 

Let’s just say it would increase the odds exponentially.

The formula is simple:

More money = more chance of a cure.

 

The answer to your question is that though money is very, very important - so are many other factors - probably the most important being leadership. The fact that the resources so far allocated to tinnitus research have been limited has still not prevented many of these resources being wasted - particularly on over-duplicating particular types of research.

For example, according to the BTA's own figures there have been no less than 200 recent research studies on CBT and tinnitus - that's an astonishing over-duplication of a particular type of research. In contrast, very little recent research has focused on medication for tinnitus. Effective leadership, which would prevent resources being wasted and which could focus on the research which is most needed is what is most profoundly lacking at the moment.

 

Oh for the love of Xenu, is that true? 200? What a complete misappropriation of funds.

 

Good reminder to never donate to the ATA or any organization. Always donate to a specific person or company you know is doing good work.

 

I see it this way. An influx of billions today would not produce a cure immediately or maybe even for years. However, it increases the odds of finding one just due to the fact more studies could be funded. More knowledge about tinnitus would certainly help finding a cure. I’m sure there are lots of people out there with great ideas on how to proceed, but lack cash. I’d like to see a kind of X Prize situation. The first group to successfully develop a tinnitus cure gets the exuberant cash prize at the end.

 

I won't give the BTA a single penny.

 

It would still be a gamble, but the probability that a cure would be found would then be higher.

 

Well actually, ATA does not have a bad track record when it comes to awarding their seed grants, Susan Shore has received money from them as did Thanos Tzounopoulos and Josef Rauschecker. And my impression is that they have not overly invested in things like CBT. As far as other things go, they are not very transparent.

But, I'd also like to mention that Tinnitus Talk has expanded the Worthy Causes sub-forum under Awareness and Fundraising. Please take a look when you can and if there are any other organizations or researchers that you would like to see included there, please let me, @Markku or @Hazel know.

Thanks, TC

 

Shouldn’t Tinnitus Hub be at the top of that list?

 

In my opinion, not only is there no therapy at the moment, but there is not even a clear medical diagnosis...

I am convinced that tinnitus is not a disease, but a symptom of various diseases.
For me, the question of when we will be able to cure tinnitus is similar to the question of when we will be able to cure cancer.

It is obvious that the question for cancer is pointless, because cancer and cancer are not comparable. It's probably the same with tinnitus...

 

There is a treatment - Lenire. It just hasn't been released yet.

 

Indeed, but the more that is learned the better the survival rates. For some breast cancers the 5 year survival rate is greater than 90%, because to a certain extent, treatments can be individualized.

Speaking of individualized therapy, I seem to recall that Thanos Tzanopolous received grant money to begin to look at tinnitus using precision medicine. There is a short news item in the attached newsletter he sent me awhile back.

He may be someone @Jack Straw and @Hazel could consider for a future podcast.

Have a good weekend everybody-
TC

 

More money.... more chances to finding a cure.

 

Thank you @TuxedoCat!!