Warrington, March 8, 2007 - Phonak announced as of February 27, 2007 that it will support the creation of a Research Chair in Amplification and Rehabilitative Audiology at the University of Manchester. Phonak will fund the Chair over the next three years in the first instance.
The goal of the University of Manchester and Phonak is to establish a first-class, world-leading research team in the area of amplification and rehabilitation for those with hearing impairment. The aim is to gain insight into the needs of individuals with hearing impairment and to further our understanding of the fitting process and performance of amplification devices. The University of Manchester as well as Phonak expect the team to make an outstanding contribution to theoretical and practical knowledge in hearing health care for people with hearing loss. The Chair appointment will be the first step towards achieving this goal, which is in keeping with the University's ambitious Manchester 2015 strategy.
"World Health Organisation figures show that adult hearing loss is the world's biggest disability, in terms of both numbers and impact, and the problem will only grow as the population gets older," said Professor John Bamford, Group Leader from the University of Manchester. "There have been huge advances in digital technologies to address the problem and large numbers of hearing instruments are in use worldwide, but this is the first time academics and industry have come together to develop specialist research capacity. We are most grateful for Phonak's support in our endeavours to build a world-leading team."
"Phonak is proud to support the University of Manchester's Research Chair in Amplification and Rehabilitative Audiology," commented Dr. Valentin Chapero, CEO of the Phonak Group. "The combination of expertise in hearing technology and a strong cooperation with hearing healthcare professionals worldwide allows us to make a substantial improvement in the quality of life of individuals with hearing impairment. Through this Research Chair, we want to further add to this mission."
The agreement between Phonak and the University of Manchester was signed officially at Phonak headquarters in Switzerland on 22nd February 2007. Present at the ceremony were Dr. Valentin Chapero Rueda, CEO of the Phonak Group, and Professor John Bamford, Dr. Kevin Munro and Professor Colette McKay (all from the University of Manchester).
About Phonak
The Phonak Group (SWX: PHBN), headquartered in Stäfa, Switzerland, specializes in the design, development, production and global distribution of technologically advanced wireless and hearing systems. As one of the top technology companies in the industry worldwide and with a global staff of over 3,700 employees, Phonak is a major player in the hearing health care market. By combining its expertise in hearing technology with a strong distribution network in over 70 countries, Phonak, along with its customers and business partners, contributes significantly to the quality of life of many people worldwide.
Visit www.phonak.com for more information or the Ear Works Web Channel on Audiology Online at www.audiologyonline.com/channels/phonak.asp
The University of Manchester (www.manchester.ac.uk) is the largest higher education institution in the UK, with 24 academic schools and over 36,000 students.
Its Faculty of Medical & Human Sciences (www.mhs.manchester.ac.uk) is one of the largest faculties of clinical and health sciences in Europe, with a research income of around £51 million (almost a third of the University's total research income).
The School of Psychological Sciences (www.psych-sci.manchester.ac.uk) was founded in 2004, and comprises the oldest Psychology department in the UK together with Human Communication and Deafness and Clinical Psychology divisions. All were rated 5/5 in the last higher education Research Assessment Exercise.
