Thomas Lenarz
Otorhinolaryngology and Chair-person of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Hannover
Thomas Lenarz is distinguished by numerous contributions to hearing research, particularly in the field of auditory implants and audiology, the majority of which were developed at the Hannover Medical School (MHH), Department of Otolaryngology, which he has directed since 1993 and led to a world-class institution. He is known for important research in the fields of cochlear implants, newborn hearing screening, implantable hearing aids, biomaterials for medical implants, and audiobionics. Pioneering work was also done in the field of electroacoustic stimulation, local drug delivery in the cochlea, and central auditory prostheses. Lenarz developed the cochlear implant program in Hannover into the world’s leading center. In 2003, the German Hearing Center Hannover was founded for integrated care of patients with hearing loss and for clinical research. In 2009, he opened the Collaborative Institute for Audio-Neurotechnology and Nano-Biomaterials Hannover (VIANNA). He is deputy speaker of the Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all”. Thomas Lenarz has authored more than 400 scientific publications and raised several million euros for projects. His activities have been recognized by prizes and numerous presidencies in various societies.