Portland, OR - Aug. 24, 2004 - The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) recently installed W.F. Samuel (Sam) Hopmeier as chair of the organization's Board of Directors. The all-volunteer board guides strategic and financial planning. The ATA is the only national nonprofit dedicated to helping people live with tinnitus, a condition that is frequently associated with ringing in the ears. The organization also funds basic research that increases scientific knowledge vital to the development of medical treatment and cures for tinnitus.
ATA Executive Director Cheryl D. McGinnis said Hopmeier brings a wonderful breadth of experience to the board position.
"Sam has been a Hearing Instrument Specialist for over 37 years, helping his patients deal with hearing loss and tinnitus. He is certified by the National Board of Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences," said McGinnis.
"Sam is known for his compassion as much as for his professional skill. Among his peers, he has long been regarded as a leader whose involvement on boards and projects helps ensure success," she said.
"The ATA is fortunate to have Sam Hopmeier as its new chair of the board. We enthusiastically welcome him," said McGinnis.
Hopmeier will serve a two-year term. He has been an ATA member for 15 years. He and his wife live in Chesterfield, Mo., near St. Louis.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a medical condition that causes people to hear ringing in the ears or noise in the head when no external source is present. Approximately one of every six Americans, or 50 million people, experience tinnitus. Roughly 12 million of those people seek medical help to manage extreme symptoms, such as depression, loss of sleep and difficulty concentrating. Tinnitus can have a variety of causes, but exposure to loud noise is the most commonly reported trigger event. For many, the condition can be relieved by a variety of approaches. However, tinnitus currently has no medical cure.
About The American Tinnitus Association
The American Tinnitus Association is a national nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to advancing tinnitus research, and to helping tinnitus patients and the professionals who treat them. The ATA is headquartered in Portland, Ore. Its web site is located at www.ata.org.
Hearing Instrument Specialist is a registered trademark of the International Hearing Society.
