WS Audiology CEO Eric Bernard takes the reins of Europe’s associated hearing device manufacturers
manufacturers
Members of the European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (EHIMA) have unanimously voted to be led by new President, Eric Bernard, for the two-year period 2021 to 2022.
Standing down following his two-year term is Demant CEO Søren Nielsen. His successor, Bernard, is CEO of WS Audiology, the company formed from the merger between Sivantos and Widex in 2019.
“It is an honor to chair EHIMA for the next two years,” said the incoming leader. ˝The first president of this association was Widex cofounder Erik Westermann, back in 1985, and it has since played an important role in technology standardization and public awareness of treating hearing loss and tinnitus,” he continued, thanking his predecessor Søren Nielsen for his leadership.
Nielsen’s eventful presidency saw hearing implant manufacturer MED-EL and Amplifon join EHIMA, while EuroTrak, the Association’s international series of surveys on hearing loss prevalence and hearing aid uptake, was significantly expanded. It now covers 17 countries, the most recent additions being Spain, Korea, and the People’s Republic of China. Work between EHIMA members and the Bluetooth® special interest group led to a new wireless interface for hearing instruments, technology that will greatly enhance hearing devices in 2021.
Eric Bernard is the 21st President of EHIMA. Meetings of hearing aid manufacturers at the European level began in 1983. In 1985, EHIMA was founded legally as an association under Belgian law.
Source: EHIMA
