20 March 2018

Study Update: Hearing Center of Excellence

The Hearing Center of Excellence (HCE) was created in 2009 under a directive by the Department of Defense (DoD) to optimize the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, mitigation and rehabilitation of hearing loss and auditory injury in U.S. service members and veterans.

As of 2012, there are nearly two million veterans whose tinnitus and hearing loss, the two most prevalent auditory system disabilities, are directly connected to their military service. Combat-related auditory injuries from the current conflicts alone total nearly 400,000. A warrior’s ability to hear and communicate is essential. The capacity to discriminate critical signals enhances personal and unit safety and is crucial to successful military operations and communications. Although the DoD has prioritized hearing conservation, hearing loss and auditory injuries are still on the rise.

To enhance readiness and overcome these health threats, the HCE has developed comprehensive Hearing Health Programs to augment hearing conservation programs focusing on prevention (Readiness), and Care (Population Health) as primary measures of effectiveness. In addition, the HCE has developed a Collaborative Research Network, bringing together technical experts in acoustic laboratories, medical treatment facilities, and operational communities to analyze operational needs and improve primary outcomes.

The HCE approached Geneva in 2010 to serve as a research facilitator in this Collaborative Research Network. Geneva provides research support to the HCE’s Research Network locations by hiring highly trained research personnel and allowing them access to Geneva’s proven systems developed specifically for conducting research in the military environment. Geneva also connects the HCE to our existing strategic partnerships within the military and other research collaborators. This synergistic partnership has provided an opportunity for both the HCE and Geneva to work together towards the fulfillment of parallel missions.

At Geneva, we recognize that collaboration with entities such as the HCE is necessary to support innovation in military medical research. Geneva is honored to partner with the HCE and its research endeavors and looks forward to continuing this mutually beneficial collaboration in the future.