The Ida Institute is pleased announce our partnerships with the University of Pretoria in South Africa and the Canadian Academy of Audiology.
“These partnerships are part of Ida’s commitment to increasing the presence of person-centered care in academic and professional networks,” says Ida Managing Director Lise Lotte Bundesen. “We aim to support practicing hearing care professionals in their efforts to be person-centered, as well as supporting the training of the next generation.”
University of Pretoria
The Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa is the largest audiology program of its kind in Africa, with a strong focus on research, collaboration, and service. The University of Pretoria has a history of international partnerships and is also in process to becoming an official WHO collaborating center on the continent.
“Our philosophy is driven by the fundamental belief that professional care and support is most effective and valuable when it occurs in partnership with and active participation by our clients at every step along the patient journey,” says De Wet Swanepoel of the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. “Ida has become synonymous with person-centered care in audiology around the globe. The open access tools offered by Ida have been invaluable to our teaching and practice towards more person-centered care. This partnership solidifies an existing relationship that we trust will support the dissemination and growth of person-centered care in audiology across South Africa and into Africa.”
The Canadian Academy of Audiology
The Canadian Academy of Audiology (CAA) is a professional organization working to enhance the role of audiologists. Research funded by CAA includes measuring the effects of tinnitus on temporal processing and the effectiveness of smart phone hearing aid apps. CAA also strives to be the main source of hearing care information for the public and are advocates for policy change.
“I believe that Canadian audiologists are taking a holistic approach, considering the multiple touchpoints of hearing loss, and its impact to the overall wellness of the patient,” says Dave Gordey, President of CAA. “This perspective aligns well with the Ida Institute and their model of person-centered care. The Ida Institute is well known as experts in the development of habilitation and rehabilitation tools for children and adults with hearing loss and I believe our partnership will enhance Canadian audiologists’ knowledge on supporting person-centered care.”
Visit our partner page for a full overview of our professional organization, patient organization, and university partners.