The HörTech Center of Competence dates back to the contest "Centers of Competence for Medical Technology", which was initiated by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) in 1999. A total of 56 applications were received and 14 outlines were chosen after a meticulous, two-day interview process. In the end, 8 centers were chosen and granted with a total of 7.5 million DM over a five-year period. One of these successful centers was Center of Competence for Hearing Aid System Technology in Oldenburg, HörTech gGmbH for short. HörTech gGmbH is run by a non-profit company with limited liability and it came into existence on November 15, 2001. In its legal form, HörTech gGmbH aims to create a common platform for precompetitive research and development projects sponsored by the industry while fulfilling aspects of public interest at the same time. Since April 2002, HörTech gGmbH takes care of the center's business, coordinates projects and continues to develop the ideas connected to HörTech gGmbH. The partners in this business are the University of Oldenburg with 51% and the Hörzentrum Oldenburg with 49%. Since this is a non-profit company, all proceeds (e.g. from traing courses or equipment sales) are directly reinvested in HörTech gGmbH projects and activities which support hearing resarch.
Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4all"
The aim of the Hearing4all cluster of excellence is literally "hearing for all". By improving individualised hearing diagnostics and the provision of personal hearing aids adapted to them, the scientists want to decisively improve the communication situation of those affected - whether at work, in traffic or at home.
The main research areas of Hearing4all:
Better diagnosis for better individual treatment
Better hearing aids
Basic Research for Assistive Audio Technology
