The participants were very enthusiastic about the first ARCHES working meeting in Oldenburg at the beginning of December. ARCHES stands for an association of the leading audiological research centres in Europe. The aim of the meeting was to exchange information and coordinate future projects. It was particularly important for the participating scientists to realise that they have a lot in common. And this despite all the differences in their respective research focuses. At the end of the meeting, all participants were in favour of continuing the network.
Specifically, it was agreed during the two-day meeting at The Haus des Hörens to meet regularly and to intensify the exchange of information. A joint website is to be created for this purpose. The website will present the goals and background of ARCHES and the participating research centres to the public. It will also serve as an information platform for the consortium. Prof. Dr. Dr. Birger Kollmeier, who organised and chaired the meeting, was very pleased with the successful start of ARCHES and the great motivation of the researchers involved. The next meeting was agreed for mid-2008 in the context of the ASA in Paris.