The HHE steering committee unites clinicians with a particular interest and expertise in treating Chronic Otitis Media related hearing loss. The group first assembled in 2019 and the team currently includes the following members:
Dr Douglas Backous
Dr Douglas Backous is a neurotologist based at Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, United States, specializing in treating conditions of the ear and skull base. Doug is currently President-Elect for the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. His medical research interests focus on implantable hearing device program efficiency for improved patient access and program viability.
Dr Byung-Yoon Choi
Dr Byung-Yoon Choi is both a geneticist and otologic surgeon based at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, South Korea. He has expertise in genetic deafness and customized auditory rehabilitation. Particular research interests include the translation of scientific information from bench-side to clinic.
Professor Myrthe KS Hol
Professor Myrthe KS Hol is head of ENT and conducts ENT surgery at University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands. Prof. Hol’s main focus is otology, paying particular attention to titanium temporal bone implants and auricular reconstruction/prosthesis.
Dr Rafael Jaramillo
Dr Rafael Jaramillo is an otologist based at S.E.S. Hospital, Caldas, Colombia. He has published many papers in the field of bone conduction and is particularly interested in the clinical benefits of bilateral implantation.
Dr Kelvin Kong
Dr Kelvin Kong specialises in paediatric and adult otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at John Hunter Hospital and John Hunter Children’s Hospital, New South Wales, Australia. He has a diverse experience in ear, nose and throat surgery, initiating community clinics, primary health care, outreach and private practice.
Professor Thomas Lenarz
Professor Thomas Lenarz is the director of the German Hearing Centre and the Research Institute of Audio- and Neurotechnology in Hannover, Germany. His research interests are in auditory implants, biomaterials for medical implants, audiology and neurotology.
Professor Jaydip Ray
Professor Jaydip Ray is consultant ENT Surgeon at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and Professor of Otology/Neurotology at the University of Sheffield, UK. His main research interests include complex hearing loss, implantable hearing solutions and management of balance disorders.
Professor Alok Thakar
Professor Alok Thakar is professor of Otolaryngology & Head Neck Surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. Dr Thakar has a special interest in Head-Neck Oncology and the entire spectrum of Skull Base Surgery.
Healthy Hearing Ears 