Belgium: Kennisland, Medical Innovations and Visions for the Future in ENT News Article | October 17, 2023

At ConsultAssistent, we are constantly working to identify the latest innovations and share the possibilities offered by our digital, autonomous product. For example, one of our founders, Henk Blom, was in Belgium last weekend to discuss the latest innovations in otolaryngology (ENT). On Saturday, a research day took place, organized by Antwerp University Hospital in collaboration with the University of Antwerp. Various topics were covered, with a focus on: research studies, ideas, results, and communication about these studies. Topics discussed included real-time measurement of inner ear health in people with hearing loss, the upper respiratory tract microbiome, a virtual reality game for tinnitus, the possibilities of digital self-assessment, and how to make research results accessible and communicate science to children. A young but well-deserved tradition.

On Sunday, a meeting of the Association for Assistants NKO took place at the still impressive Atomium in Brussels. In this futuristic setting, some very nice futures and innovations in the ENT field were highlighted. Ben Somer spoke about real-time tuning and adjustment of a cochlear implant with brainwaves. Vedat Topsakal spoke about the autonomous surgery for placing a cochlear implant (robotic surgery) with less noise load on the inner ear, less tissue damage and a more predictable course and outcome, Raymond van de Berg spoke about the vestibular implant in people with bilateral balance organ failure.

Henk himself had the opportunity to talk about getting better as a doctor and delivering improved patient care through the use of digital auto-anamnesis calls. Something we at ConsultAssistant are working hard on!