The American Tinnitus Association's (ATA) Board of Directors has appointed Michael P. Malusevic as its new executive director.

Michael has served ATA since 2004 as its director of administration and controller. "I am honored to have been appointed to this crucial position by our board of directors," says Malusevic. "I enjoy collaborating with our staff, board, researchers, and donors as we move forward toward achieving ATA's mission of curing tinnitus," he concludes.

In addition to Malusevic, the ATA Board appointed Jennifer A. DuPriest as associate executive director for the organization. DuPriest has been with ATA since 2006, heading the organization's advocacy efforts as their director of public affairs. "I look forward to working with Michael, the staff and board in this new capacity," says DuPriest. "We have created an amazing momentum over the past few years with our advocacy initiatives and I look forward to continued visibility for tinnitus on the national stage," she adds.

Gary P. Reul, EdD, ATA's retiring chief executive officer (CEO) will resume his position as chairman of the ATA Board of Directors. "I have enjoyed my time as CEO of the American Tinnitus Association immensely," says Reul. "I leave behind a committed staff that I hold in high regard and who are fully capable of carrying out ATA's mission to cure tinnitus. I look forward to working with the new staff leadership as chairman of the board."

An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from tinnitus, a chronic and debilitating condition often described as ringing, hissing or buzzing in the ears. Twelve million Americans have chronic, intrusive tinnitus that can interfere with quality of life and impact relationships with family and friends. The No. 1 known cause of tinnitus is exposure to extreme noise. This very difficult condition afflicts people of all ages, but disproportionately impacts veterans and military personnel.

Recent advances in both basic and clinical research have led tinnitus investigators to believe that a cure is within reach. The ability to use imaging technology to "see" tinnitus and locate where in the brain it is occurring has informed the direction and progress of tinnitus research over the past decade.

"The progress of research has helped guide our advocacy efforts that have already begun producing positive results such as the U.S. Department of Defense including tinnitus in its Peer Reviewed Research Program for the first time in 2008," says Malusevic. "Our efforts in Washington, D.C. have only just begun and are already producing results for the tinnitus research community," he says.

Since 2001, service-connected disability payments to veterans for tinnitus have increased by approximately 18 percent per year. Veterans are eligible to receive a 10 percent rating which currently equals approximately $119 per month for tinnitus. Additionally, tinnitus has been the No. 1 service-connected disability for returning personnel from Iraq and Afghanistan for the past two years. "At the current rate of increase, service-connected disability payments to veterans for tinnitus will top $1.1 billion by 2011 or sooner," warns DuPriest. "The responsiveness by Congress and Department of Defense and National Institutes of Health, in particular, have been truly amazing and we are thrilled that they have become partners to expedite the path to a tinnitus cure; to end suffering for both America's veterans and all who suffer worldwide," she concludes.

For more information: www.ata.org.