Ear and Hearing

The otology-audiology group has built up expertise in the field of hearing loss, with focus on genetic research of deafness, (re)habilitation of hearing loss and balance. Congenital cytomegalovirusinfection as a cause of deafness is a major research domain. 

Our cochlear implant center has over the recent years evolved to one of the most important CI centers in Belgium with research in the field of outcome after implantation, hearing preservation and academic achievement of implanted children. 

We are one of the founding members of The Ghent Auditory Science Platform – GASP- a collaboration between several research groups from the faculties of Medicine, Engineering, and Psychology at Ghent University conducting joint research in auditory science. Our topics range from precision hearing diagnostics to developing (wearable) technologies for hearing loss and tinnitus prevention, as well as cochlear implantation, signal-processing for hearing aids and the impact of the acoustic environment in humans. Key to all our projects is our interdisciplinary approach in which otolaryngology & audiology, numerical, and psychophysical and engineering techniques are combined to tackle open challenges in hearing science.

University of Nijmegen 

Since many years our research group has a strong scientific collaboration with the Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands. This has resulted in a number of shared publications and PhD dissertations. 

University of Leuven 

Over the years we have collaborated in a number of scientific projects with the team of Exp-ORL, Leuven. A current collaboration with the Trellis Research Group (Leuven) studies the optimisation of gene therapy for otoferlin-related deafness. Scientific Research Network about innovative therapies and biomarker research for hearing loss: Our researchers contribute to the FWO-funded scientific research network about innovative therapies and biomarker research for hearing loss. This network aims to foster national and international collaboration on innovative therapies to cure hearing loss. Researchers from Antwerp University, Ghent University, Leuven University, Nijmegen University, Liège University, Hannover Medical School and Institut Pasteur in Paris actively participate in the network. 

Defended PhDs (last 5 years)

Platinum-induced ototoxicity in adults : toward better monitoring practices

Heleen Van Der Biest (2025)

The AVC²-I project : auditory, visual and cognitive abilities in relation to cochlear implant benefit

Dorien Ceuleers (2024)

Exploring the effects of noise exposure : insights from young adults and children

Nele De Poortere (2024)

Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection - Hearing Prospects and Antiviral Strategies - Dreamscapes of Clarity

Elise De Cuyper (2024)

Congenital Cytomegalovirus infection in Flanders : demography, management and outcome

Annelies Keymeulen (2022)