Past Way Future
Projekte
FROM THE PAST
ON THE WAY
INTO THE FUTURE
ESPCI 2025 LEHNHARDT MEMORIAL
Round table of CI pioneers: How the multichannel Cochlear Implant came to Europe
Introduction: Prof. Dr. Thomas Lenarz
Moderation: Dr. Monika Lehnhardt-Goriany
FROM THE PAST
Round Table:
CI Focus Group and Pioneers:
How the multi-channel CI came to Europe ...
see recording Link
ON THE WAY
MHH Medizinische Hochschule Hannover:
largest centre for cochlear implantation
Head Prof.Dr.Thomas Lenarz
Lehnhardt Stiftung
Continuation of the life's work of Prof. Dr Ernst Lehnhardt
Founded in 1994
together with Dr Monika Lehnhardt-Goriany
INTO THE FUTURE
New projects:
Lehnhardt Lectures
> Lehnhardt Network of CICs
> Focus Groups targeting new challenges
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult Ernst Lehnhardt †
Prof. Dr. Dr. Ernst Lehnhardt (1924–2011) was a pioneering physician and a leading figure in otolaryngology, specializing in audiology and cochlear implants. Born in Crivitz, Mecklenburg, he studied medicine and dentistry in Kiel and Rostock, earning doctorates in 1950 and 1953, respectively, and habilitating in otolaryngology in 1959. His career included roles as senior physician in Rostock, Berlin (Charité), and Hamburg, before being appointed full professor in Hanover in 1968, where he served until his retirement in 1993.Lehnhardt held prominent positions, including president of the German Society for Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (1982/83) and the Working Group of German Audiologists (1969–73, 1991–95). He received numerous accolades, such as the Federal Cross of Merit (1995), the Grand Cross of Merit (2005), and honorary doctorates from Poznan University (2000) and Rostock University (2002). His research focused on middle ear physiology, psychoacoustic studies, occupational noise-induced hearing loss, and cochlear implant diagnostics. He authored over 250 publications, including the seminal textbook Praxis der Audiometrie, translated into Spanish and Japanese.
A pioneer in cochlear implantation, Lehnhardt fitted the first deaf adult patients with implants in 1984 and the first congenitally deaf child in 1988, performing over 500 implantations. In 1990, he founded the Cochlear Implant Center Hanover, which continues to support children today. In 1994, alongside Dr. Monika Lehnhardt, he established the Lehnhardt Foundation to promote the education of deaf children. In 1995, he initiated the European Cochlear Implant User Group (EURO-CIU). After retirement, he assisted clinics worldwide with cochlear implant surgeries until 2002. Lehnhardt passed away in 2011 in Hanover, leaving a lasting legacy in global hearing health.
What we have learned
Therapy
> is 90% of success, surgery 10%
> needs social environment, rather than hospital
CI using children are not sick
Surgery:
>Soft surgery
>...............................
Introducing new technology
>needs to be curious and brave
>best way of introducing:
focus group of talented experts
Round table with pioneers
Full Recording
Thomas Lenarz | Introduction
Jim Patrick | Australia
Bernard Fraysse | France
Sue Archbold | UK
Angel Ramos | Spain
Manuel Manrique | Spain
Eulalia Juan Pastor | Spain
Final Remarks
The Cochlear Pioneer
Prof. Graeme Clark | Australia
Barnplantorna 30 Year Celebration
Interviews with more pioneers
Prof. Birger Kollmeier | Germany
TBA | TBA
