I 111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5203 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 4, 2010 Mr. Cole (for himself and Mr. Teague) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a center of excellence for the study of tinnitus, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Tinnitus Research for Military Health Improvement Act.

2.

Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1)Tinnitus, or the perception of sound where no external source of such sound exists, is the most prevalent disabling condition that affects members of the Armed Forces, most notably those members who have been exposed to blast injuries during combat, or other high noise level situations. (2)Tinnitus is the leading service-connected disability for returning members of the Armed Forces and the prevalence of tinnitus is continuing to increase at alarming rates. (3)An otologic, or ear, injury such as tinnitus has been shown to decrease performance and situational awareness during combat, seriously compromising the ability of a member of the Armed Forces to hear and execute commands properly, thereby jeopardizing not only the affected member but other members as well. (4)While certain types of sensory impairment in combat or other military activities may be readily apparent, otologic injuries such as tinnitus may not be easily noticeable, which necessitates the need for more rigorous screening for tinnitus before and after deployment, and for additional research to distinguish tinnitus from other forms of brain injury incurred during combat. (5)Medical evidence to date suggests a demonstrated link between tinnitus and post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, such that improved understanding of treatment of tinnitus may also directly advance research efforts to address post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. (6)Improving the treatment and prevention of tinnitus will benefit all members of the Armed Forces who are increasingly at risk of injury from high-decibel equipment or explosive devices.

3.

Center of Excellence for the Study of Tinnitus

(a)

Establishment

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Defense shall establish one or more Centers of Excellence (in this section referred to as a center) for the study of tinnitus. (2)

Location

The Secretary shall establish a center at a military installation in the United States where members of the Armed Forces perform activities involving high rates of sound, including artillery instruction and other basic combat training related activities. (b)

Responsibilities

A center shall have the responsibilities as follows: (1)To study and enhance existing treatment modalities for members of the Armed Forces with tinnitus, including diagnosed cases of recurrent, chronic, or severe tinnitus. (2)To conduct basic and clinical research to prevent, treat, and cure tinnitus, including studies on the neurological changes in the brain associated with tinnitus. (3)To coordinate research activities with the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury in order to establish a tinnitus data registry for members of the Armed Forces affected with tinnitus and other neurological conditions that will enhance scientific progress toward improvements in treatment for tinnitus and associated neurological combat related conditions. (c)

Reports

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the activities of the center. (d)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2016.

4.

Aural screenings for members of the Armed Forces

(a)

In general

Paragraph (2) of section 1074f(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (D)An aural screening, including an assessment of tinnitus. . (b)

Effective date

Section 1074f(b)(2) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of this section, shall apply to members of the Armed Forces who are deployed or return from deployment on or after the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

5.

Grant program to encourage tinnitus research

(a)

In general

Subject to the availability of appropriations provided for such purpose, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a program to award grants to institutions to assist such institutions in conducting research on recurrent, chronic, or severe tinnitus and peripheral neurological conditions, including research related to neurology, pharmacology, audiology, otolaryngology, and other disciplines that the Secretary determines appropriate according to newly discovered evidence-based findings. (b)

Eligibility

(1)

Teaching program

An institution eligible to receive a grant under this section is— (A)a hospital with a teaching program described in section 1861(b)(6) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x); or (B)an educational institution with demonstrated expertise in tinnitus research. (2)

Application

To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an institution shall submit an application to the Secretary of Defense at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. The Secretary shall ensure that such applications are peer-reviewed by multidisciplinary tinnitus experts from both the public and private sector. (c)

Grant amount

An institution awarded a grant under this section may not receive more than $2,500,000 per fiscal year under this section. (d)

Reports

Not later than December 31 of each year a grant may be awarded under this section, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the grant program, including a summary of the research related to tinnitus conducted by each grant recipient. (e)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2016.

6.

Improving aural protection for members of the Armed Forces

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Defense shall examine methods to improve the aural protection for members of the Armed Forces in combat. (b)

Report

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the methods to improve aural protection examined under subsection (a).

7.

Executive agent for tinnitus

(a)

Executive agent

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall designate a senior official of the Department of Defense to act as the executive agent for tinnitus. (b)

Roles, responsibilities, and authorities

(1)

In general

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and in accordance with Directive 5101.1, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe the roles, responsibilities, and authorities of the executive agent designated under subsection (a). (2)

Specification

The roles and responsibilities of the executive agent designated under subsection (a) shall include coordinating common functions related to tinnitus among the military departments. (c)

Support

In accordance with Directive 5101.1, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the military departments, Defense Agencies, and other components of the Department of Defense provide the executive agent designated under subsection (a) with the appropriate support and resources needed to perform the roles, responsibilities, and authorities of the executive agent. (d)

Definitions

In this section: (1)The term Directive 5101.1 means Department of Defense Directive 5101.1, or any successor directive relating to the responsibilities of an executive agent of the Department of Defense. (2)The term executive agent has the meaning given the term DoD Executive Agent in Directive 5101.1.