International training at the Academy of Hearing Acoustics: professionals from five countries took part
Professionals working in the hearing health branch from Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Slovenia came to the Academy of Hearing Acoustics from 20 to 24 July 2026 for further training, in order to be able to support people with hearing loss in their home countries more effectively. This year’s International Summer Academy at Campus Hearing Acoustic in Lübeck focused on the fundamentals of hearing system provision.
The longest journey to this year’s international training week at the Academy of Hearing Acoustics was undertaken by Pae Natwilai Utoomprurkporn from Thailand. She travelled more than 8,500 kilometres to take part in the International Summer Academy at Campus Hearing Acoustic in Lübeck.
Why come to Lübeck for further training?
Practice-oriented knowledge transfer was ensured by the team of experienced lecturers at the Academy of Hearing Acoustics. Practical sessions with test subjects enabled participants to apply the theoretical knowledge in realistic simulated situations. The laboratories, seminar rooms and fitting rooms at Campus Hearing Acoustic, all equipped with modern technology, provided an optimal learning environment.
What do you learn at the International Summer Academy?
Alongside hearing system fitting, central topics included the creation and interpretation of audiograms. Participants were shown how to determine hearing thresholds precisely and how to use the results for individual hearing aid provision. The fitting process for hearing systems – from the initial consultation and needs analysis, through individual selection, to the fine-tuning of the hearing aids – was explained clearly step by step and, under the guidance of lecturers from the Academy of Hearing Acoustics, practised with test subjects.
In the laboratory, the international group of participants practised how earmoulds are custom-made and processed. Participants themselves took ear impressions and milled earpieces. The practical maintenance and servicing of hearing aids were also part of the course. Here the aim was to learn to identify and correct common faults and to carry out comprehensive maintenance exercises. By gaining an overview of hearing assistance systems, course participants were able to expand their knowledge of modern home installations and accessories. All participants completed the training with a certificate. During lesson breaks, shared meals and activities, the international participants had plenty of time for professional and personal exchange during the International Summer Academy.
How does international exchange in Lübeck help people with hearing loss worldwide?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than five per cent of the world’s population live with hearing loss. This means that around 430 million people are affected by a hearing impairment, including 34 million children. And the trend is rising: estimates suggest that by 2050 more than 700 million people – or one in ten people – will be affected.
“People with hearing loss need trained hearing aid professionals who provide them with hearing systems in a professional manner. Specialist knowledge is required in order to compensate for hearing loss. The opportunities to acquire this expertise are not equally available everywhere in the world,” explains Eberhard Schmidt, President of the German Federal Guild of Hearing Aid Professionals (biha). “As a WHO partner, we promote global exchange of knowledge through further training programmes for hearing aid professionals.”
The training courses at the Academy of Hearing Acoustics at Campus Hearing Acoustic in Lübeck are recognised worldwide. For more than 15 years, English-language advanced training courses for international professionals have been held at the Lübeck Campus Hearing Acoustic. This year too, the International Summer Academy formed part of the global training and professional development programme of the Swiss International Hearing Academy (SIHA) of the Sonova Group, which has been a long-standing cooperation partner of the Academy of Hearing Acoustics.
The next International Summer Academy is scheduled for July 2027. You can find out more here. Please direct any enquiries and registrations to International@afh-luebeck.de.