Dear colleagues and friends!

EFAS will soon be entering the 20th year of its existence. The idea underlying its foundation – forming a Federation of Audiological Societies in Europe to support and coordinate the activities of the national societies – is still important for future development of the field. Much has been achieved in the past years, but there are still many goals to pursue. A major EFAS objective is to identify and implement unified concepts for diagnostics and treatment of patients with hearing deficits. Another aim is the systematic organization of education and training of young people who wish to work in our field. In addition, EFAS will promote the implementation of new screening and diagnostic procedures, and define standards and policies in the field of audiology. Thus the vision for EFAS is broad and comprehensive.

The realization of these objectives, however, faces an imminent challenge. As a result of economic constraints in most European countries, the funding of health care systems is becoming increasingly difficult. The consequences are dramatic: services are scaled down, personnel are reduced and savings are required. Despite such limitations, professionals are committed to maintain the high standards of health care that have been achieved in the last decades. EFAS can, hopefully, assist them in fulfilling their commitment: by fostering communication and exchange of experience, by initiating networks and stimulating the building of synergies.

To achieve its wide range of goals and objectives, EFAS is lucky to count on a particular strength: multidisciplinarity. Audiology deals with all aspects of hearing and audiological expertise requires knowledge from a diverse group of scientific disciplines, ranging from Anatomy to Surgery, from Acoustics to Hearing Implant Technology, from Genetics to Psychology, from Molecular Biology to Educational Sciences, and more. No single person can be competent in all these fields, but as a community of experts, we have a chance. EFAS is proud to be the umbrella organization including a multidisciplinary community, whose various professionals work closely together in order to increase knowledge and improve services, and thereby serve the needs of the hearing-impaired people of our societies.

With these thoughts, I want to encourage all representatives of EFAS to contribute actively to forthcoming projects and initiatives. I look forward to meeting you for another exchange of information and ideas in Cernobbio, Italy, at the next General Assembly in June 2012.

With my best regards

Kurt Stephan
President EFAS