NAERUM, DENMARK–Do you have an idea, a plan, or a concept that you think might inspire more people to address their hearing loss? If so, the Ida Institute wants to know about it.
The Danish-based, non-profit educational organization and the Oticon Foundation, which funds the institute, have issued a worldwide call for ideas that have the potential to generate better understanding of hearing loss, change public perception, and encourage people to take action.
Their project, named “Ideas: Speak up – Action and Awareness for Hearing Loss,” was launched March 28 in Boston at AudiologyNOW! 2012, the American Academy of Audiology’s annual convention. It’s a competition open to individuals and groups from around the world. They are invited to come up with simple, cost-effective ideas that create heightened public awareness of hearing and inspire people, locally and/or globally, to act.
A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
This project builds on the collaborative approach that Ida uses in a wide variety of programs designed to assist hearing care professionals in helping people address the physical, psychological, and social challenges of hearing loss.
The Ida Institute seeks to foster a better understanding of the human dynamics associated with hearing loss. By serving as a catalyst for knowledge sharing and the development of innovative and practical tools, the institute assists hearing care professionals in helping hearing-impaired people address the physical, psychological and social challenges of hearing loss.
Lise Lotte Bundesen of Ida Institute joined Niels Boserup, chairman of the Oticon Foundation, for the launch of an open innovation competition at AudiologyNOW! 2012 in Boston.
“The Ida Institute has consistently demonstrated that collaborating with others can lead to answers, solutions, and breakthroughs that result in positive change,” said Niels Boserup, chairman of the Oticon Foundation, in announcing the ideas project. He added, “Ida Institute will apply its unique approach to innovation and collaboration to collect, process and evaluate ideas for future awareness-building projects that will benefit people with hearing loss.”
The unique competition will tap into the knowledge and ingenuity of individuals in the private and public sector as well as drawing on universities, associations, manufacturers, people with hearing loss and their families ,and the general public.
“The collaborative process will enable us to engage the collective intelligence of our Ida network and the general public to build awareness of hearing loss and its impact,” said Lise Lotte Bundesen, the institute’s managing director. “Everybody is invited to share their best ideas through our online platform.”
HOW TO ENTER
From now through September 30, anyone with an idea to submit is invited to share it online. During this period, commenting and voting will also take place.
Starting in October, plans for implementing the top 10 ideas will be developed. Next February, a panel of judges, made up of thought leaders from a variety of hearing, health care, innovation, and communication disciplines, will select three winning ideas. These will be announced April 2 at AudiologyNOW! 2013 in Anaheim, CA.
“If your idea is selected,” Bundesen told prospective entrants, “you will have the satisfaction of seeing it turned into reality and possibly changing public perception of hearing loss and inspiring people to take positive action to address hearing loss.”
To participate in the competition, visit its web site and register.
