On February 5th, Texas Roadhouse restaurants across the country will host a special fundraising event to support the American Tinnitus Association (ATA) and raise awareness for tinnitus.
The event, held on the first day of Tinnitus Awareness Week, invites guests to dine at their local Texas Roadhouse or Bubba’s 33. All profits for the day will be donated to the ATA. This marks the third year the restaurant chains have hosted the nationwide fundraiser.
Tinnitus, characterized by persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears, affects around 26 million adults in the U.S. The condition can severely impact quality of life for some, with 20% of cases considered moderate to severe. The fundraising event aims to raise both money and awareness for this little-understood health problem.
“Texas Roadhouse is honored to once again partner with the American Tinnitus Association. The tinnitus fundraiser is an opportunity for our employees and guests to come together to help raise awareness of tinnitus, its prevention, and hopefully help find a cure for this debilitating condition one day.”
–Jerry Morgan, Texas Roadhouse CEO
The cause is personal for Texas Roadhouse. Their late founder, Kent Taylor, struggled with tinnitus himself before passing away in 2021. To further honor Taylor, Texas Roadhouse is selling American Tinnitus Association branded gift cards online through March 31st, with 10% of sales going to the non-profit.
“Everyone wants a cure for tinnitus, but it’s moderate to severe tinnitus that really worries us,” said Sara K. Downs, ATA’s interim executive director. “Without awareness and meaningful support, people often suffer in ways that are difficult for a person without the condition to understand.”
Downs wants to spread understanding of tinnitus, its various causes, and available treatments. Noise exposure is the most common trigger, but head injuries, stress, and medical conditions like diabetes can also spark tinnitus. In some cases addressing an underlying condition can eliminate the ringing sensation. But a lack of education means many tinnitus sufferers do not receive proper support.
Raising Awareness
The fundraiser provides an opportunity to reach new audiences and share guidance. Downs noted temporary tinnitus after loud events like concerts indicates permanent damage to the auditory system. Learning to protect hearing early is key to prevention.
“Almost everyone has experienced temporary tinnitus—typically, ringing or buzzing—following a loud concert, sporting event, or evening at a noisy venue. It’s there, then it fades. We think nothing of it. What’s not commonly known is that tinnitus, in such cases, means you’ve injured your auditory system. Once damaged, the injury is permanent. Over time, those injuries impact your hearing and can lead to permanent tinnitus, which can be highly disruptive to a person’s quality of life.”
–Sara K. Downs, AuD,
Last year Texas Roadhouse raised over $800,000, which ATA allocated to support services for individuals and families impacted by the condition, educational initiatives, and funding of its Innovative Research Grants Program, which includes the Kent Taylor Research Grant.
“As we pursue our mission to promote relief, prevent, and find cures for tinnitus, we are profoundly grateful for the ongoing support of Texas Roadhouse and Bubba’s 33 and the countless individuals who make this event successful,” said ATA Board Chair Jinsheng Zhang.
About Participating Organizations
Founded in 1971, the American Tinnitus Association is a nonprofit dedicated to people living with tinnitus. ATA helps individuals and families cope, provides guidance on finding qualified healthcare providers to assist in tinnitus management, funds research, advocates for better care, and provides trustworthy information to thousands of people every day. If you or a loved one need information or help managing tinnitus, contact ATA at 800-634-8978 or visit ata.org.
Based in Louisville, Ky., Texas Roadhouse opened its doors in 1993 and has more than 720 locations in 49 states and 10 foreign countries. The family-friendly restaurant is famous for hand-cut steaks, made-from-scratch sides, fresh baked bread, and a lively atmosphere. In 2020, Texas Roadhouse was named one of America’s Best Employers for Veterans by Forbes. Texas Roadhouse also ranked sixth on FSR magazine’s Top 50 list of Full-Service Restaurants within the U.S. For more information, visit www.texasroadhouse.com. Its franchise includes 43 Bubba’s 33 restaurants and eight Jaggers restaurants.
Bubba’s 33 serves a variety of menu options, such as handcrafted pizza, bold burgers, and ice-cold beer. The first Bubba’s 33 opened in Fayetteville, N.C., in 2013 and has grown to 45 locations in 15 states. Bubba’s 33 staff is dedicated to providing the best service in town and having fun. In 2021, Bubba’s 33 was named the Best Burger in Charlotte, N.C. For more information, visit www.bubbas33.com.
About Tinnitus
Tinnitus affects approximately one in 10 individuals worldwide. Despite its prevalence, there is no cure for most types of chronic tinnitus, and most physicians receive little training in its management. The most common causes of tinnitus, which can present as buzzing, ringing, whooshing, and a range of other sounds, are exposure to loud noise, age-related hearing loss, earwax blockage, head and neck trauma, cardiovascular disorders, neurological conditions, and stress and anxiety.
Even though most cases of chronic tinnitus cannot be cured, a range of interventions can often help manage its negative impact. Because each individual experiences tinnitus differently and the causes of tinnitus are so varied, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for its management.
If you need guidance on tinnitus or finding an appropriate healthcare provider, contact the American Tinnitus Association at 800-634-8978 or email [email protected].
Source: ATA
