Prof. Dr. B.Vinck
Head of Dept. Audiology
University Hospital Ghent Belgium
President of the Hearing Academy
 

The Hearing Academy was founded in February 2005. It is a non-profit organization aiming to bring together representatives from the key decision making groups in the field of 'Prevention of Hearing Damage' – scientists, policymakers, health and safety professionals, employers and workers' organizations-.

Activities and events are organized in the EU Member States.

ORGANIZATION

The Hearing Academy is managed on a daily basis by the members of the Executive Committee and has a multidisciplinary comprised Advisory Board which is made up of European representatives of the academic world, law and legislation, health and safety societies, employers and workers.

MISSION

The mission of the Hearing Academy is to bring together the vast pool of knowledge on “preventing hearing damage” and share this information with all professionals confronted with the risk on hearing defects.

OBJECTIVES

The Hearing Academy's work program focuses on:

Developing Information and Education Platforms;
Raising the Awareness and Availability of “Good Preventive Practices”;
Stimulating Research projects and Pilot Studies.

Major initiatives in 2005 will include:

The First European Congress - Hearing@Work - 3 and 4 October, Amsterdam.

The focus will be on the health, social and financial risks of excessive noise at work and the corresponding 'Good Preventive Practices'. The subject and timing of Hearing@Work is fully in line with the priority set out by the 'European Agency for Health and Safety at Work', culminating in the European Week for Safety and Health at Work, 24-28 October 2005;

Call for membership of the Advisory Board.

A large assembly and broad mix of disciplines in the Advisory Board is felt to be the best ways to assure reasonable decisions and work programs;

The Training Course - Hearing Conservationist.

Aim is to enhance the quality of Occupational Hearing Conservation Programs;

Pilot study 'Oto Acoustic Emissions'.

Aim of the study is to evaluate the use of Oto Acoustic Emissions for early detection and follow up of Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss (ONIHL);

Tinnitus campaign.

Preparation of the Tinnitus campaign in 2006.

WHAT DO WE OFFER YOU?

1. Certification of the “Hearing Conservationist” by the Expert University Teams (EU Teams);
2. European and/or national congresses, seminars and workshops;
3. Guidance and updates on “Good Preventive Practices”;
4. Internet based scientific forum.