The 14th Annual Conference of the German Society for Audiology (DGA) took place in Jena from 9 to 12 March 2011, featuring a comprehensive programme. P.p. on behalf of the DGA and in collaboration with Friedrich Schiller University Jena, HörTech gGmbH from Oldenburg coordinated this interdisciplinary exchange of hearing experts for the eighth time. The organisers and the approximately 500 participants from Germany, Austria and Switzerland expressed their satisfaction with the course and outcomes of the event, which focused on the theme of ‘Noise and Hearing’.
The centre of the event was occupied by the latest findings from research into the effects of noise, preventive measures against noise, and the latest trends and perspectives relating to hearing aids, cochlear implants, diagnostics and treatment options for hearing loss. At the accompanying trade exhibition – which set a new record this year with 24 exhibitors – leading companies and research institutions in the sector presented innovative products and solutions for better hearing.
Once again, this year’s annual conference demonstrated that the topic of ‘noise and hearing’ is becoming increasingly relevant and complex across all areas of our daily lives: “Alongside ENT specialists, phoniatrists, hearing researchers, hearing aid acousticians and developers, we are seeing an increasing number of participants from the natural sciences and engineering, psychology and education, right through to experts in room acoustics. They all address the causes and effects of noise in different ways and are working on solutions to counteract the negative consequences of noise and hearing impairments,” says Stephan Albani, Managing Director of HörTech gGmbH, summarising the event.
“Jena – commonly known as the city of optics – also proved to be a very attractive and lasting impression-making venue for the annual conference for the audiologists,” said Lars Krause from the HörTech organising team. The conference chair, Dr Thomas Braunschweig from Jena University Hospital, in turn thanked HörTech for the “perfect organisation and seamless cooperation in the run-up to the event and during the conference itself”.