David Hawkins, PhD, professor of Audiology at the Mayo Medical Clinic and Head of the Audiology Department of the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, was presented with the prestigious Poul Erik Lyregaard Hearing Aid Research Award at a ceremony in Orlando attended by over 350 leading U.S. hearing care professionals. The special award, part of the 2005 Oticon Focus on People Awards, recognized Dr. Hawkins' 20 years of service to the field of Audiology as a respected clinician, teacher and researcher. The award is named for the late Poul Erik Lyregaard, former head of development for Oticon, who has been credited with helping to create the foundation for the way hearing aids are fit today.
"We honor Dr. Hawkins for his single-minded dedication to making a difference in the lives of people with hearing loss, " stated Oticon President Mikael Worning. "Like Poul Erik, Dr. Hawkins has worked ceaselessly over many years to develop the knowledge and technology that benefit hearing care professionals and their clients throughout the world."
Dr. Hawkins has long recognized that the effect of a hearing aid fitting is not solely determined by advances in hearing aid technology, but is significantly affected by the fitting process that the hearing care professional employs. In his roles as a researcher and educator, he has consistently endeavored to more precisely define this process and to provide clinicians with the tools and guidance needed to better serve patients.
"Beginning in the 1980's, Dr. Hawkins demonstrated through his words and work that the field of hearing aid fitting could and should be treated as a serious scientific endeavor," said Oticon Vice President of Audiology and Professional Relations Donald Schum, Ph.D./CCC-A at the awards ceremony. "He is among a select few professionals who ushered in a new level of focus on the importance of careful, evidence-based clinical service."
Now in its eighth year, the Oticon Focus on People Awards program is designed to focus attention on common misconceptions about hearing loss, correct negative stereotypes and motivate people with hearing loss to take advantage of the help that is available to them.
About Oticon
Oticon is one of the world's oldest and most respected hearing aid manufacturers. The company was founded in Copenhagen in 1904 by Hans Demant, inspired by a desire to help his hearing impaired wife and others like her. Today, Oticon is located in over 100 countries, providing quality, state-of-the-art hearing instruments to people worldwide. A pioneer in digital technology, Oticon continues to develop and manufacture the newest, most technologically advanced hearing instruments to help people with hearing loss "live the lives they want, with the hearing they have." The company's commitment to put People First in designing quality hearing care solutions is made stronger through partnership with dedicated and caring hearing care professionals in countries around the world.
For more information about the Oticon Focus on People Award and hearing health, log on to oticonusa.com.
