When Peter showed up to his tinnitus consultation with an array of crystals, each one supposedly tuned to heal a different part of his tinnitus, Stelios Dokianakis, AuD, could have been dismissive but he chose to listen. His essay on what happened next, and what actually helped, is a candid look at why hope and evidence aren’t always the same thing.

>> Read  "I Want to Believe: What Crystals, Clickbait, and One Truck Driver Taught Me About Tinnitus Care” 

Tinnitus has no single cause, which is what much of online product marketing aimed at people with tinnitus ignores. Audiologist and tinnitus researcher Richard Tyler, PhD, recently spoke with a support group about how deceptive claims take root online, and why a product promising a cure for tinnitus should raise doubt rather than hope.
Some of the clearest warning signs to watch for include:

• Claims that a product treats a range of conditions, from tinnitus to diabetes to sleep
• “FDA Registered” language, which is not the same as FDA evaluation or approval
• Countdown timers, “limited stock” messages, or pressure to decide immediately
• Celebrity endorsements that seem surprising

More than 50 million individuals in the United States, and hundreds of millions of people worldwide, live with tinnitus. The scope of that reality demands our attention. The promise of the science funded last year demands hope. And the dedication of every support group leader, donor, researcher, and patient who connects with ATA demands our gratitude. Together, we are building a community strong enough, connected enough, and determined enough to transform care and advance the search for cures.

Every donation helps us fund groundbreaking research, connect patients with evidence-based resources, and advocate for better care and coverage. Every gift, no matter the size, moves us closer to that goal.