IHI 2026 brings together 121 participants to explore the future of hearing technologies
The first edition of the Innovations in Hearing Implants (IHI 2026) conference brought together 121 participants from academia, clinical practice, research institutes, and industry from around the world.
The event fostered interdisciplinary discussions on the future of hearing health, auditory prostheses, and emerging hearing technologies, highlighting the role of innovation and collaboration in improving hearing outcomes worldwide.
The conference took place in the coastal town of Sant Feliu de Guíxols, with a pre-event hosted at Hospital de Sant Pau and the Sant Pau Research Institute in Barcelona. IHI 2026 provided an international forum for scientific exchange, collaboration, and innovation in hearing health and auditory technology.
The conference was organized by Waldo Nogueira, Debi Vickers, Olivier Macherey, Stefan Zirn, and Bernhard Laback, with the shared aim of accelerating innovation and maximizing its impact on hearing health, audiology, and hearing technology.
The scientific programme covered a broad spectrum of hearing restoration technologies, ranging from non-invasive approaches to central auditory implants, and from electrical and mechanical stimulation to emerging optogenetic implant technologies. Discussions addressed technological innovation, clinical translation, patient outcomes, accessibility, and the broader societal impact of hearing loss and its treatment.
The event was made possible thanks to the support of its sponsors, MED-EL, Cochlear, Advanced Bionics, and Blackrock Neurotech. Early support for the launch of IHI 2026 was also provided through the Neuro-Hear project, funded by the ATRA E programme of the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI), the READIHEAR ERC Consolidator Grant, and the University of Cambridge.
Several institutions contributed to the organization and success of the conference, including the Institut de Recerca Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Hannover Medical School, the Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, the University of Cambridge, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, CNRS, and the Austrian Academy of Sciences.
The organizers also acknowledged the technical and organizational support provided by staff members of the Hearing and Neurotechnology Group, the Auditory Prosthetic Group, the UAB Institut de Neurociències, and the Department of Microelectronics and Systems Electronics.
The success of this inaugural edition was further supported by the contributions of speakers, participants, exhibitors, and other supporters, whose engagement helped create a dynamic and collaborative environment throughout the meeting. The multidisciplinary exchange of knowledge and ideas highlighted the potential of the international hearing research community to advance innovation and shape the future of hearing healthcare.