International symposium puts children's hearing on the agenda
9 March 2010
National charity Deafness Research UK is sponsoring the Recent Advances in Paediatric Audiology (RAPA) symposium, to be held on 15th March 2010 to coincide with the National Knowledge Week for Hearing.
The meeting will be held in the El-Alamein Room at the Victory Services Club, Marble Arch London with the aim of increasing the interaction and knowledge sharing between clinic and laboratory and is open to both clinicians and researchers.
“The RAPA symposium is a key event in our calendar of events for the National Knowledge Week for Hearing” said Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK. “By bringing together clinicians and researchers we are aiming to improve communication and knowledge of recent advances in paediatric audiology. We want to increase understanding of the benefits and challenges in the translation of auditory science – how clinical need drives research and how research advances clinical practice – and contribute to a culture change in auditory science.”
The meeting will be chaired by Professor David Moore (Director of the MRC Institute of Hearing Research, Nottingham) and the three sessions of the day will cover three core topics: ‘Followup after early detection of deafness', ‘The critical period for cochlear implantation' and ‘Advances in brainstem physiology', with presentations delivered by experts from both the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
Doctor Deborah Jones from the National Biomedical Research Unit in Hearing, (UK) will be talking on the followup after early detection of deafness, followed by Dr Josephine Marriage of the UCL Ear Institute (UK).
The first speaker in the session on the critical period for cochlear implantation will be Professor Anu Sharma of Colorado University (USA), followed by Dr Helen Cullington from ISVR, Southampton. The final session on advances in brainstem physiology will see Professor Nina Kraus from Northwestern University, (USA) speak, with the final presentation being delivered by Doctor Andrew Phillips of the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University.
“We are fortunate to have so many prestigious specialists available to contribute to this year's symposium,” said Dr Rachel Macdonald, Research Development Manager for Deafness Research UK. “The first symposium last year was a great success and we are looking forward to another positive and informative sharing of ideas at this year's meeting too, which will make a significant contribution to the dissemination of knowledge in paediatric audiology.”
Further information on the RAPA symposium can be gained by contacting Dr Macdonald at:
Notes to editors
About Deafness Research UK
- Deafness Research UK is the country's only charity dedicated to finding new cures, treatments and technologies for deaf, hard of hearing and other hearing impaired people.
- The charity supports high quality medical research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all forms of hearing impairment including tinnitus.
- Deafness Research UK is entirely dependent on voluntary donations, gifts and personal legacies. You can donate online at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk , or call 0207 7833 1733 for further information on how to support the charity.
- The Deafness Research UK Information Service provides free information and advice based on the latest scientific evidence and informed by leading experts. The Information Service can be contacted on Freephone 0808 808 2222.
- For more information on research into deafness, tinnitus and other hearing conditions, log on to the website at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk where you can access a wide range of information. Alternatively you can email Deafness Research UK at
- One in seven people in the UK – almost nine million people - suffer hearing loss.
- Deafness Research UK was founded in 1985 by Lord (Jack) and Lady Ashley of Stoke.
- In January 2008, Action for Tinnitus Research (ATR) was linked with Deafness Research UK under a uniting direction order under section 96(6) of the Charities Act 1993
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Ref: DR-UK0207 – RAPA Release 2010
