Dr Priya Carling
On the 17 and 18 June 2024 at the BCEC in Birmingham, the BSA held their annual Scientific meeting. With such exciting new developments in the field of hearing loss and cell and gene therapies, one of the highlights was the presentation of the results of the CHORD Phase 1/2 Open Label trial by Thomas Mills. It was a highlight for me to see the pre and post therapy audiograms of the child that was so widely covered in the press, and to see subsequent patients results with similar results. This was followed by a discussion on the role of auditory neurons in hearing loss, and the correlation between auditory neuron loss and speech perception. Again very in keeping with recent international developments, research and headways in therapeutics for hearing loss.
And then down to the basics of audiology, the pure tone audiogram test procedure (love it or hate it) was addressed in an open forum by the incoming vice president of the BSA. This generated very good discussion and ideas for going forward with regards to recommended guidance for testing procedure.
The meeting covered a diverse range of topics from basic science to clinical procedures and practice, machine learning and translational research topics. The second day started with an APD focus, with updates on evidence-based approaches for assessment and management in children and adults. This was followed by presentations on research, especially beneficial for those wanting to get started and not knowing where to begin, including grants and funding.
This meeting was well organised, and its diversity in topics and speakers provided an opportunity to network and address a wide range of topics in Audiology regardless of the attendees’ levels of experience and interest.
