123 St Stephen's Green
Dublin
Ireland
Priya Achar, Consultant Neurotologist, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK.
Stalwarts in the field of implantation otology, including surgeons and audiovestibular scientists from the UK, Europe and the USA, attended this academic feast. Organised by Professor Laura Viani (below left), President of Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and funded by Cochlear UK, the meeting featured brainstorming projects and presentations on newer technologies such as the use of robotics and optical coherence tomography in CI surgery; advances in vestibular implants; the role of regenerative medicine in otology; and a synchrotron tour of the inner ear, to quote a few.
The keynote lectures by Professor Nikolas Blevins on deep learning and radiographic analysis in cochlear implantation and by Professor Jay Rubinstein on hearing without a cochlear amplifier kept the audience glued to their seats, yearning to learn more. Professor Fedir Yurochko from Ukraine shared his beautiful experience in setting up a cochlear implant programme out of the warzone in Ukraine during the country’s current hardships. An update on the ongoing COACH trial provided by Catherine Killan holds promises for possible future extended indications for cochlear implantation.
The highlight of day one was the Grand Inquisition held with some banter by Professor Quentin Summerfield questioning Professors Gerard O’Donoghue and Erwin Offeciers (right). They discussed the historical threats to the culture and community of the Deaf world by introduction of cochlear implants as well as current training trends in field of implantation otology. Delegates were truly enthralled listening to their shared experiences.
Three well-moderated deep-dive sessions were well positioned in between lectures, keeping the delegates deeply interested. Highlights were discussions about how hearing research is poorly funded compared with other health conditions; the ‘importance of growing well, hearing well and ageing well’ (Kevin Munro from Manchester); the importance of research in large international multicentre trials in the hearing research community; and the role of CI database and combining datasets with national registry collecting key outcome data. In the final presentation of day two, Professor Thomas Lenarz discussed the role of self-fitting and self-assessment with the use of smart phones, making good use of available technology and ease of data sharing.
Dinner following day one was held in RCSI College Hall with beautiful heart-warming speeches by Professors Hartley, Dan Jiang, Andrzej Zarowski and many more paying tribute to the contribution of Profs O’Donoghue and Offeciers in the field of implantation otology. A post-dinner walk to the local pub for a pint of Guinness whilst in Dublin was also an informal networking event for everyone.
