2021 in Review

In the summer, we organised the advanced training course for audio therapists in cooperation with the Federal Guild of Hearing Aid Acousticians (biha) – it was held as a face-to-face event, under pandemic conditions, and with a reduced number of participants. The EUHA is planning for a hybrid format for 2022 so that everyone interested will have a chance to take part.

The 65th EUHA Congress was held as an in-person event in Hanover. That took a lot of courage which was worth it after all! 5,200 participants attended the Congress and enjoyed it. Being able to meet again, in a singular atmosphere, as well as attending lectures and tutorials and visiting the industrial exhibition were something very special this year. All those who were unable to take part, or wish to watch the lectures again without in peace and quiet, can use EUHA TV (www.euha.tv). All lectures can be found on the video portal in the original language, including the speakers‘ charts.

Elections for the Executive Committee of the European Union of Hearing Aid Acousticians were held on 15 September 2021. EUHA President Beate Gromke and EUHA Vice President Eva Keil-Becker will remain in office and continue to lead the association and its successful course in a second term. Peter Möckel was elected from the existing ranks of the executive committee as the new Vice President and Treasurer, replacing Jürgen Matthies after thirteen years of successful work. Peter Möckel has been active in the executive committee since 2019. He is committed, for instance, to expanding the EUHA’s social media and online marketing activities.

In addition to her position as President, Beate Gromke heads the Audiology Expert Group; Eva Keil-Becker is in charge of the EUHA Communities, and chairs the judging panel for the EUHA Sponsorship Award.

Marc Osswald, who, together with Peter Möckel, is campaigning for a new EUHA learning platform and who supports media relations, was confirmed as a member of the executive committee, as was Wolfgang Luber who is involved in publishing the EUHA Guidelines as well as in media work. Dirk Köttgen was also re-elected. His responsibilities include association politics, the EUHA Spring Conference, and liaising with the Research Association of German Hearing Aid Acousticians; he is also responsible for the EUHA’s participation in the ENT Congress. Tom Aerts was re-elected. Above all, he takes care of matters relating to foreign countries, and is in contact with various organisations such as UNSAF, BAA, and AAA. He also supports international media relations.

Marc Osswald, who, together with Peter Möckel, is campaigning for a new EUHA learning platform and who supports media relations, was confirmed as a member of the executive committee, as was Wolfgang Luber who is involved in publishing the EUHA Guidelines as well as in media work. Dirk Köttgen was also re-elected. His responsibilities include association politics, the EUHA Spring Conference, and liaising with the Research Association of German Hearing Aid Acousticians; he is also responsible for the EUHA’s participation in the ENT Congress. Tom Aerts was re-elected. Above all, he takes care of matters relating to foreign countries, and is in contact with various organisations such as UNSAF, BAA, and AAA. He also supports international media relations.

Nicole Meyer and André Fiedler were unanimously elected as new members to the executive committee. André Fiedler is a master craftsman of hearing aid acoustics, audio therapist, hearing therapist, and hearing trainer. He is also a CI acoustician and business economist. His company, Hörspectrum Fiedler, has two branches in Fürth, Franconia. He loves soccer and is a real family man. André Fiedler appreciates commitment, social projects are also close to his heart. As an entrepreneur, he sees it as his duty to act in a sustainable and future-oriented manner outside the daily routine. Within the EUHA, he is responsible for the field of social commitment. He checks whether the locations proposed for the “Help for Little Ears” relief project are suitable to ensure professional care with hearing systems.

Nicole Meyer is a master craftswoman of hearing aid acoustics. She took over the business Hörgeräte Meyer in Mönchengladbach from her parents, Bernhard and Margit Meyer, who opened the company in 1963. Nicole Meyer is a woman who loves to accept responsibility and show commitment. In the early 1990s, she was one of the youngest delegates of the Federal Guild of Hearing Aid Acousticians (biha) in the West region. Since the early 1990s, she has been a member of the journeyman’s examination committee. She has been a EUHA member since 2016 and a guest on the executive committee since 2017. In this role, she has taken on various tasks, for example, as a member of the jury of the EUHA Sponsorship Award. She has acted as a presenter of lectures at the Congress, and, with Eva Keil-Becker, campaigned for the EUHA’s Women Network to be launched on Facebook. She is working to ensure that the EUHA can offer new training courses.

The new chairman of the Council of Honour is Jürgen Matthies from Nienburg. Horst Geuter from Coburg and Peter Denkert from Kassel were elected assessors of the Council of Honour, Reinhard Dageförde and Lothar Claußen, both from Duisburg, act as their deputies.

At the end of October 2021, the EUHA was represented with a stand at the 54th training event for ENT specialists in Mannheim. At the event, the EUHA Hörcafé was set up to promote a dialogue between ear, nose and throat specialists and hearing aid acousticians as well as to offer expert talks on topics related to hearing aid acoustics. The EUHA’s information flyers were also available. “Tumult im Ohr” is the name of a new flyer which provides information on tinnitus. EUHA members can order it free of charge.

Social Media

Social media has now become an integral part of communication. In its channels, the EUHA provides information about current events, exciting facts from the industry, news from our association, and many other things.

The EUHA used stimulating articles, pictures, and videos on its social media channels to promote the first Digital EUHA Spring Conference. Speakers and sponsors presented their topics using teasers. For World Hearing Day, the EUHA launched a campaign under the hashtag #HörakustikerausLeidenschaft where members were invited to make their own personal statement and explain why they are passionate about hearing aid acoustics. Further social media campaigns were held to mark the Day Against Noise and the International Children’s Day.

The EUHA Women Network was launched right on time for International Women’s Day. A platform where women in the industry can network, and strengthen one another.

@EUHAeV is excited about having 1,300 subscribers on Facebook now. There are already around seven hundred followers on Instagram. The community uses these channels to network and exchange ideas. The EUHA Congress offered proof that using the hashtag #EUHA2021, the EUHA and dozens of visitors, speakers, and exhibitors shared their personal highlights of the event with the community posting their stories and other contributions.

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Jürgen Kießling left the EUHA’s scientific advisory board after twenty years of active commitment. From 2022, Prof. Dr. med. Annette Limberger will take his place.

The EUHA wishes to thank everyone for their excellent support and solidarity during this special year!