The Auditory Valley as an umbrella for hearing research

The globally unique research and development network “Auditory Valley” has been bringing together experts on the topic of hearing since 2008. More than 400 scientists from basic and applied research are involved in Auditory Valley, which includes two collaborative research centres, an international research training group, a BMBF competence centre and several research institutions. The Auditory Valley fosters the transfer of know-how between research and industry by organizing the exchange of key players and scientists. This well-developed infrastructure facilitates a rapid, goal-oriented and holistic development of innovations in the field of hearing.

In 2012, a team from Auditory Valley won the Deutscher Zukunftspreis (German Future Award). The scientists had succeeded in transferring the decisive advantages of binaural hearing to hearing system technology – and thus significantly improving the technology of hearing systems. This development led to a rethink in the world of hearing systems.

The combination of audio system, hearing aid and cochlear implant technology has particular potential to improve the quality of life of many people in the long term.