Pioneer Award in Basic Science for Andrej Kral

22 February 2024

Prof. Andrej Kral, MD, PhD, Professor of Auditory Neuroscience at Hannover Medical School and Princicpal Investigator (PI) in the Hearing4all Cluster of Excellence, has been awarded the “Pioneer Award in Basic Science” by the Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO), USA, together with Prof. Dr Stephen G. Lomber from McGill University, Canada.

The ARO is the world’s largest organization of hearing and balance researchers. The “Pioneer Award in Basic Science” recognizes a body of work representing a significant advance in hearing, vestibular or related science. Kral received the award for his fundamental findings on the plasticity of the brain after hearing loss – i.e. the brain’s potential to adapt to auditory experiences. His team provided evidence that hearing loss in childhood can only be effectively treated within early “critical periods” and has far-reaching consequences for the brain if not treated.

Kral is a member of the Hearing4all cluster board. In addition to his professorship in auditory neurophysiology, he is Director of the Institute of AudioNeuroTechnology (VIANNA) at the Hannover Medical School and Professor of Systems Neuroscience at the Macquarie University, Sydney, Australien. He is also a member of national and international scientific societies and committees.