In our ideas4ears children’s invention contest we asked the next generation of inventors to use their creativity to come up with solutions for people living with hearing loss. The contest is organized by MED-EL (Global innovation leader in hearing loss solutions).
Watch this video to meet Sophie & Eva-Maria, ideas4ears winners from Germany!
In unserem Erfinderwettbewerb ideas4ears haben wir die nächste Generation von Erfindern gebeten ihre Kreativität zu nutzen und Erfindungen einzureichen, welche die Lebensqualität von Menschen mit Cochlea-Implantat bzw. Hörverlust verbessert. Der Wettbewerb wird von MED-EL(führender Hersteller von implantierbaren Hörlösungen) organisiert.
Overall, 341 children worldwide participated from 19 different countries and from these entries the top 9 invention ideas were chosen.
Sophie and Eva-Maria (8) are classmate friends who created a special bed where the hair cells in the cochlea are restored by laser treatment during sleep. The bed must be slept in twice a week for optimal hair cell restoration. Sophie came to MED-EL with mother Wiebke and Eva-Maria was accompanied by her mother Natalie.
ideas4ears, which searches for the next generation of inventors of hearing technology, grand prize included a two-day winners’ trip to Innsbruck, Austria to provide the children and their families with the unique opportunity to tour the production facility and meet MED-EL’s many inventors.
Impressions from the trip of a lifetime!
Sophie and Eva-Maria with their laser bed invention idea.
Sophie and Eva-Maria pictured with their school friend Sarah wearing the traditional Bavarian German Dirndl dresses.
Eva-Maria playing with some interactive games during the winners event.
Having fun pretending to be surgeons in the training lab.
Innovation – the basis for cochlear implant progress
Innovation is essential when exploring ways to improve the lives of those with hearing loss and the ideas4ears competition has raised awareness of the benefits of hearing technology.
Whilst celebrating children’s creativity, ideas4ears aimed to engage parents to participate in an interactive activity with their children to improve the whole family’s understanding of the challenges associated with hearing loss and deafness as well as the benefits of treatment.
If you are worried about the hearing loss of a family member or for your own hearing loss, take the free hearing test here or contact ideas4ears@medel.com to receive a free information package on hearing and the solutions available.
Alternatively, you can contact your local MED-EL clinic to speak with our caring staff who can advise you about the hearing services available in your area.
For more information on the contest, visit: www.ideas4ears.org/meet-the-inventors/ and www.facebook.com/ideas4ears.
All images ©2019 MED-EL. Please contact ideas4ears@medel.com for permission to use.
