As part of the competence network ‘Hearing acoustics and Audiology by the Belt’ (HABelt), an ‘Online Service Centre for heAring caRe’ (OSCAR) will be developed. This work is supported by the EU Interreg-6a funding scheme for Germany and Denmark. The project has a duration of 3 years (2026-2029) and a budget of 1.7 mill. EUR.
Vision
The overall vision of OSCAR is an innovative digital platform that makes hearing care more accessible, integrated, and user-friendly. Importantly, OSCAR is not intended to replace hearing-care professionals, but to complement and enhance their services in a seamless way. The aim is to bridge the gap between self-help and professional support.
Developed as a user-driven solution, OSCAR will combine various services into an intuitive platform accessible via smartphones, tablets, and other devices. Its design will be guided by insights from focus groups with target users to ensure their needs are met.
OSCAR will support people with untreated hearing problems, hearing aid candidates, and experienced hearing aid users. Unlike product-driven platforms, it will offer neutral advice—empowering users to make informed decisions without pressure or sales tactics.
Project and network partners
The following project partners are involved in OSCAR:
- Dept. of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark (Profs. Tobias Neher & Michal Fereczkowski)
- German Institute of Hearing Aids GmbH (PD Dr. Hendrik Husstedt & Dr. Florian Denk)
- (Clinical Prof. Jesper Hvass Schmidt)
- (Maurice Horn)
In addition, there are five affiliated network partners:
- (Prof. Tim Jürgens)
- (Dr. Daniela Hollfelder)
- (Dr. Søren Laugesen)
- (Dr. Sébastien Santurette)
- (Majbritt Garbul Tobberup)
A key aim of OSCAR is to widen the competence network, e.g., with relevant special interest groups and political stakeholders.
Work packages
OSCAR includes five work packages:
- Project management and public relations (lead: University of Southern Denmark)
- Implementation of platform (lead: hear-concept)
- Information services and user-driven design (lead: Odense University Hospital)
- Hearing screening and needs assessment (lead: University of Southern Denmark)
- Audiological recommendations and aftercare (lead: German Institute of Hearing Aids)
