Naerum, DK April 2 - At the 2012 AudiologyNOW! conference in Boston, the Oticon Foundation and the non-profit Ida Institute launched a worldwide open call for ideas that have the potential to generate better understanding of hearing loss, change public perception and encourage people to take action. Ideas, Speak up - Action and Awareness for Hearing Loss is an open innovation competition, funded by the Oticon Foundation and facilitated by the Ida Institute. Individuals and groups are invited to submit their original ideas online for awareness projects that have the potential to affect change locally and/or globally, are simple and cost-effective and inspire people to action.
"The Ida Institute has consistently demonstrated that collaborating with others can lead to answers, solutions and breakthroughs that result in positive change," says Niels Boserup, Chairman of the Oticon Foundation. "Ida Institute will apply its unique approach to innovation and collaboration to collect, process and evaluate ideas for future awareness-building projects that will benefit people with hearing loss."
Ida Institute Managing Director Lise Lotte Bundesen joins Oticon Foundation Chairman Niels Boserup for the launch of the Ideas, Speak up - Action and Awareness for Hearing Loss open innovation competition at 2012 AudiologyNOW!
The unique idea-generating competition calls upon the strengths of individuals in the private and public sector as well as universities, associations, manufacturers, people with hearing loss and their families and the general public.
"The collaborative process will enable us to engage the collective intelligence of our Ida network and the general public to build awareness of hearing loss and its impact," states Ida Institute Managing Director Lise Lotte Bundesen. " Everybody is invited to share their best ideas through our online platform."
The open call for ideas runs through September. During this time, ideas will be shared online at www.awarenessforhearingloss.com and commenting and voting will take place. From October through February 2013, implementation plans for the top-ten ideas will be developed. In February, an expert panel of judges, made up of thought leaders in a variety of hearing and health care, innovation and communication disciplines, will select three winning ideas that will be announced at the 2013 AudiologyNOW! conference.
"If your idea is selected, you will have the satisfaction of seeing your idea turned into reality and possibly help change public perception of hearing loss and inspire people to take positive action to address hearing loss," explains Bundesen.
Participation in the online competition is free of charge and open to all. Visit www.awarenessforhearingloss.com to register.
About the Oticon Foundation
Founded in 1957, the Oticon Foundation funds social and educational programs, publications, conferences, cultural activities and campaigns - both for researchers, hearing care professionals and the general public. The Foundation's statutes mandate that income be used to support the needs of hearing-impaired individuals as well as organizations that serve people with hearing loss.
About the Ida Institute
Established in 2007 with a grant from the Oticon Foundation, the Ida Institute is a non-profit independent educational institute located in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Institute seeks to foster a better understanding of the human dynamics associated with hearing loss. By serving as a catalyst for knowledge sharing and the development of innovative and practical tools, the Institute assists hearing care professionals in helping hearing impaired people address the physical, psychological and social challenges of hearing loss. For more information, visit www.idainstitute.com.
