The 14th annual conference of the German Society of Audiology (DGA) took place in Jena from 9 to 12 March 2011 with a comprehensive programme. P.p. of the DGA and in cooperation with the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, HörTech gGmbH from Oldenburg coordinated the interdisciplinary exchange of hearing experts for the eighth time. The organisers and the approximately 500 participants from Germany, Austria and Switzerland were satisfied with the course and results of the event on the topic of "Noise and Hearing".
At the centre of the event were the latest findings from noise impact research, preventive measures against noise and the latest trends and perspectives on hearing aids, cochlear implants, diagnostics and treatment options for hearing damage. At the accompanying industry exhibition - which set a record this year with 24 exhibitors - renowned companies and research institutions from the industry presented innovative products and solutions for better hearing.
Once again, this year's annual conference showed that the topic of "noise and hearing" is becoming increasingly topical and complex in all areas of our daily lives: "In addition to ENT doctors, phoniatrists, hearing researchers, hearing aid acousticians and developers, we are seeing an increasing number of participants from the natural and engineering sciences, psychology and education through to experts in room acoustics. They all deal with the causes and effects of noise in different ways and are working on solutions to counteract the negative consequences of noise and hearing impairment," says Stephan Albani, Managing Director of HörTech gGmbH, summarising the meeting.
"Jena - commonly known as the city of optics - also presented itself as a very attractive and impressive venue for the annual conference for audiologists," said Lars Krause from the HörTech organisation team. In return, the conference president Dr Thomas Braunschweig from Jena University Hospital thanked HörTech for the "perfect organisation and smooth cooperation in the run-up to the event and during the conference on site".