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We were at the IMRF 2026,
Genoa, Italy
From June 24-27, 2026
Happy to share that two of our doctoral researchers, Pouriya Hassani and Lisa Lever, had the pleasure of presenting their work as part of the CherISH team at IMRF 2026 in Genoa.
Pouriya presented his work on “Visual context and auditory ambiance shape sound localization and head-movement behavior in immersive VR”, while Lisa presented her research on “The impact of tactile stimulation in sound source localization.”
It was a great opportunity to share our research, discuss ideas around multisensory integration, spatial hearing, and rehabilitation, and connect with researchers working across perception, cognition, neuroscience, and clinical applications.
A big thank you to the IMRF organizers for such an inspiring meeting, and to the CherISH network for the continued support and collaboration.
We were at the 37th world Congress of Audiology (WCA 2026)
The CherISH Network was in Seoul!
It was a pleasure for Christoph Braun, Sangyeob Baek, Juan-Daniel Galeano-Otálvaro and Martin Deligny members of the CherISH – Cochlear Implants and Spatial Hearing Doctoral Network from the University of Tübingen and ExpORL to participate in the WCA Seoul – World Congress of Audiology 2026.
Last week, we had the opportunity to engage with researchers, clinicians, and industry partners from around the world, discuss the latest developments in hearing science, and explore new perspectives in audiology, cochlear implants, auditory neuroscience, and hearing rehabilitation.
Conferences like WCA are not only about sharing research—they are also about building connections, exchanging ideas, and strengthening collaborations across disciplines and countries.
As part of the CherISH network, we are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this international community and to bring back new ideas that will help advance research and innovation in hearing healthcare.
A big thank you to the organizers and everyone who made WCA 2026 such an inspiring event.
CI2026
18th international Conference on Cochlear Implants and other Implantable Technologies.
Warsaw, Poland, May 10 – 13, 2026
Recently, Gianpaolo Palo (DC9) had the opportunity to attend the CI2026 – 18th International Conference on Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Technologies in Warsaw 🇵🇱.
During the conference, he presented his research in a scientific poster session 📊, offering a valuable opportunity to share findings and engage in meaningful discussions with the international CI community 🤝🏻
The conference served as a vibrant hub for innovation in hearing research 🔬, bringing together researchers and clinicians from around the world 🌍 and covering a wide range of key topics, including cochlear implant outcomes, hearing preservation, genetics, rehabilitation, and emerging technologies such as robotic surgery and artificial intelligence 🤖.
Beyond the scientific program, CI2026 was an inspiring opportunity to connect, collaborate, and gain fresh perspectives that will help shape future work in the field of hearing research 💡.
We were at the ARO 2026
Petra represented CherISH at the 49th ARO Annual Midwinter Meeting in Puerto Rico! She presented her poster titled “Auditory peripersonal space and the looming bias in normal hearing adults”, a study that will soon be extended to CI users.
“I engaged in the usual conference activities such as posing in front of my poster like a security guard, talking to interesting people about their projects, and learning new things through great talks”, she reports. “I also moderated a session on Psychoacoustics.”
Overall, the conference featured a wide range of topics from auditory cognition to genetics, so it was a good place to spread the mission of CherISH.
We presented at CIAA
Prof. Francesco Pavani (UNITN), Chairman of our Communication Dissemination & Explotation Board (CDE) will be presenting the EU-founded CherISH Doctoral Network at the CI Advocacy in Action (CIAA2025) in Brussels, Belgium
MAPS 2025 (Metacognition, Aging and Perception Symposium) was held on September 23–24, 2025. Hosted by the Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC) in Rovereto, Italy,
Last September multiple members of the CherISH network had the opportunity to meet during their participation at the MAPS 2025 (Metacognition, Aging and Perception Symposium), organized in Rovereto (Italy) by the CAtS lab of CIMeC, lead by professor Francesco Pavani.
🎉 3 different posters were presented by our group: what a great chance for our PhD student to meet up in person!
🔬 It was a brilliant meeting to learn more on metacognition and the importance of it in their research topic.
Moreover, it allows them to connect with experts and students from different fields and nationalities, expanding their scientific network.
🇪🇺 This research was funded by the EU’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network CHERISH (Cochlear Implant Rehabilitation through Spatial Hearing), which supports innovative research on spatial hearing and auditory rehabilitation across Europe.
We presented there
Professor Christoph Braun (UT), coordinator of CherISH (EU-funded CherISH doctoral network) and two doctoral students Sangyeob Baek (DC1, UT) and Nicola La Magna (DC12, ICL) presented their projects at the International Hearing Symposium 2025 (ISH2025) in Vienna, Austria.
June 01-06, 2025
We presented there !
Prof. Francesco Pavani (UNITN), Chairman of our Communication Dissemination & Explotation Board (CDE) and Lisa Lever (DC4, UCBL) presented the EU-founded CherISH project at the EFHOH Conference in Tallin, Estonia.
We presented there !
Nicola La Magna (DC12) and Ludovic Pirard (DC11), had the chance to present their initial research projects, receiving valuable feedback from experts in spatial hearing.
Speakers:
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Prof. Christoph Braun, CherISH Coordinator (University of Tübingen)
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Lisa Lever, PhD student CherISH, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1
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Prof. Francesco Pavani, PhD, CherISH Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation Board, University of Trento
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Darja Pajk, CherISH External Advisory Board, European Federation for the Hard of Hearing (EFHOH)
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Dr. Obaid Qazi, Senior research engineer, Cochlear Technology Centre (Belgium)
24-27.06.26 | IMRF 2026
DC4: Lisa Lever presented her research on “The impact of tactile stimulation in sound source localization”
DC5: Pouriya Hassani presented his work on “Visual context and auditory ambiance shape sound localization and head-movement behavior in immersive VR”
24-27.05.26 | Orals &Poster – WCA2026
DC1: Sangyoeb Baek presented orally the CherISH project 1
DC3 Martin Deligny presented orally the CherISH project 3
DC8: Juan-Daniel Galeano-Otálvaro presented a poster of his CherISH project 8
10-13.05.26 | Poster – CI2026
DC9: he presented his research in a scientific poster session, offering a valuable opportunity to share findings and engage in meaningful discussions with the international CI community
7-11.02.26 | Poster – ARO2026
DC6: Petra Kovács & Robert Baumgartner (10.02.2026) “Auditory Peripersonal Space and the Looming Bias in Normal-Hearing Adults”
DC6: Present results of DC6 WP1 to hearing researchers: EEG and reaction time results showed the presence of auditory looming bias, but this was not specific to the peripersonal space
06-07.10.25 | Poster – Tübingen System Neuroscience Conference
DC2: Poster on early findings of DNN model for spatial hearing in CI at the Tübingen computational neuroscience community. “Modeling Spatial Hearing with CI Using deep neural network”
17-20.10.25 | Round table – SIOP2025
Pavani (UNITN). presentation & Round table on results on spatial hearing with cochlear implants to HNT clinicians/researchers
29.09-02.10.25 | Poster – NNCN2025
DC2: NNCN: National Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience. Presented poster on early findings of DNN model for spatial hearing in CI at the computational neuroscience conference
23-24.09.25 | Poster – MAPS25
DC4: Present & discuss results of a study on response modalities in sound localization, linking them to multisensory integration and metacognition in rehabilitation, with perspectives from scientists
DC1: Disseminated the full CIS-RP1 project roadmap (Study 01–03), addressing Objectives 1–3: spatial learning, EEG markers of multisensory integration, and ecological/real-world rehabilitation
14-18.09.25 | Poster – ICAC2025
DC8: Presentation of the preliminary results of the first study to a scientific community working on auditory cortex and hearing neuroscience
08.09.25 | Participation – AES 2025
DC11: Participation and interaction with Artificial Intelligence specialist respect to AI application for spatial hearing
20-22.08.25 | Poster – ISAAR2025
DC5: Presenting and Discussion of the pilot study regarding the effect of context visual cues and sound localization performance in healthy participants to Scientists
DC4:Presentation and discussion the preliminary results of the 1st study with the scientific community working on auditory and audiological research
13-18.07.25 | Poster – CIAP2025
DC8: Presentation of the preliminary results on pilot study related to the first PhD study to a scientific community working on implantable auditory prosthesis
23-26.06.25 | Poster – Forum Acusticum 2025
DC11uk: Present and discuss with a poster the preliminary results of the pilot study with a scientific community working in acoustics. project 11uk
19.06.25 | Oral – NSCO Doctoral school Lyon
DC5: Presenting the project 5 and CherISH to PhD graduate school
10-06.06.25 | Poster-Forum Acusticum Eurnoise2025
DC12: Present and discuss with a poster the preliminary results of the first study with the scientific community working on auditory and audiological research
03.06.25 | Poster – ISH2025
DC1uk: Present and discuss with a poster the preliminary results of Porject 12 and the first study with the scientific community working on auditory and audiological research
10-13.05.26 | Poster CIA2026
DC9: Presentation of the preliminary results on bench testing related to the second PhD objective to a scientific community working on cochlear implants and other implantable technologies
16.04.26 | Poster – IMPRS Tübingen
DC2: Presented poster on latest findings on DNN model for spatial hearing in CI at International Max Planck Research School at Tübingen
17-18.02.25 | Poster – AABBA
DC12: Presention and Discussion the PhD project exploring the transferability of Spatial hearing skills from virtual reality to real life to scientific community
- External events
EFHOH annual conference (25.04.25), Distribution of CherISH leaflet presenting CherISH EU Project, 3 days, Tallin, Estonia Research communities Citizens Specific end user communities
Print materials (brochure, leaflet)
Estimated 100 attendees
- Public engagement
Podcast on RTS [CH] – Podcast on the project “kidtrain”, rehabilitation of spatial hearing in bicochlear implanted children https://www.rts.ch/emissions/cqfd/
Research communities Citizens Specific end user communities Civil society
Media article
RTS Public service media
- Digital plateforms
Each Doctoral candidates have recorded a short video presenting their CherISH individual project. Published on the CherSIH website, Linked in and Instagram. 12 videos
Research communities Citizens Specific end user communities Civil society
Video
CherISh followers : 96
- Digital platforms
Video – Educational LinkedIN A series of video is creatied regularly the Doctoral students to explain specific topics related to CherISH. Such as – Women in science – Have you ever seen a cochlear implant up close? – What does a cochlear implant actually sound like? – Ever wondered how a cochlear implant turns sound into electrical signals to help people hear? – Why Spatial Hearing Matters More Than You Think
Research communities Citizens Other Specific end user communities Civil society
Social media
Impression between 150 to 400 impressions
- Digital platforms
Implementation of CherISH website
Research communities Citizens Other Specific end user communities International organisation (UN body, OECD, etc.)
Civil society
Website
Open to the public.
- External events
One day meeting on cochlear implants progresses (title in Italian: “Progressi nella tecnologia degli impianti cocleari nelle tecnologie assistive e nella riabilitazione”; in english: Advances in Cochlear Implant Technology in Assistive Technology and Rehabilitation), Milan 30/11/2024. Organizers: Associazione Lombarda Famiglie Audiolesi (ALFA) and Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico. Invited speaker: Prof. Francesco Pavani (UNITN)
Citizens Other Specific end user communities Local authorities Civil society
Event (conference, meeting, workshop, round table, group discussion, etc.)
Number of attendees: 80 persons including clinicians and CI users (hard of hearing)
- External events
EFHOH2025 – 25-26.04.25. F. Pavani (UNITN). Oral presentation. Present to the general public and CI users the issue of hearing loss and hearing assistive device with a focus on metacognition and strategies.
Citizens Industry, business partners Specific end user communities International organisation (UN body, OECD, etc.)
Event (conference, meeting, workshop, round table)
Around 100 attendees
- External events
CIICA 2025 (16-17.10.25). F. Pavani, Invited Speaker: Presentation of the CherISH project and the importance of bilateral hearing for spatial hearing with CI.
Research communities Citizens Industry, business partners Specific end user communities
Event : conference, meeting, round table, group discussion
100-150 attendees
- External Events
SIAF Conference, Present results on spatial hearing with cochlear implants to HNT clinicians/researchers
Research communities Other Specific end user communities
Event : conference, meeting, round table, group discussion
50 attendees
- External events
5th Cognitive Science Forum – Lyon (11.03.26). Lecture: Space hearing : understanding, assessing, and retraining using virtual reality.
Civil society
Event : conference, meeting, round table, group discussion
Estimate 80-100 attendees
- External events
CI Advocacy In Action 2025 (16-17.10.2025). F. Pavani (UNITN): Presentation of the CherISH project and the importance of bilateral hearing for spatial hearing with CI. PrInvited Oral presenation (Pleanary lecture)
Research communities Citizens Industry, business partners Specific end user communities Investors
Event : conference, meeting, round table, group discussion
120 Attendees
- Public engagement
Press relaase on CherISH “Millions in funding for Tübingen research projects to combat social isolation” by the department of Kommunikation und Medien of the University of Tübingen
Research communities Citizens Specific end user communities Local authorities Regional authorities
Media article
University: 7 000 employers supporting around 18 000 Students
- Public engagement
Festival della Scienza (25.10.25). F. Pavani (UNITN) Round Table. Transfer of results and perspectives on assisted hearing for the purpose of policy-making
Research communities Citizens Industry, business partners Specific end user communities Local authorities Regional authorities
Event (conference, meeting, round table, group discussion)
Roughly 200,000 visitors, making it one of Europe’s largest science festivals
- Public engagement
Udito Italia ETS Days (16-27.02.26). Presentation and round table. Transfer of results and perspectives on assisted hearing for the purpose of policy-making
Citizens Other National authorities Civil society
Event (meeting, workshop, round table, group discussion)
Italian Parliament – 400 deputies
- Public engagement Udito Italia ETS Days (27-28.02.26). Round Table and presentation. Transfer of results and perspectives on assisted hearing for the purpose of policy-making.
Citizens Other National authorities Civil society
Event (meeting, workshop, round table, group discussion)
Italian Parliamant – 400 Deputies
- Public engagement Festival Osvaldo (26.06.25). F. Pavani (UNITN). Oral Plenary presentation. Present to the general public the issue of hearing loss and hearing assistive device with a focus on metacognition and strategies
Citizens Local authorities Regional authorities
Other
Event open to the public and scientific community.
Estimate: 50 attendees. - Public engagement Mai smettere di ascoltare (Never stop listening). F. Pavani (UNITN) Oral presentation: Present to the general public the issue of hearing loss and hearing assistive device with a focus on metacognition and strategies
Research communities Citizens Industry, business partners Specific end user communities Local authorities
Event (conference, meeting, group discussion)
50 attendees
- Public engagement
Podcast on the project “Cochlear implant: train the brain to locate sounds using virtual reality»- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZcS_Q6NSuY
Other
Media article - 985 views
- Public engagement
Article on CherISH in Tübingen Newspaper “Bessere Ohr-Implantate” Tübingen Chronik.
Citizens Local authorities
Press release Local press organ in the Tübingen district.
28 000 Subcriptions
