Welcome Message from the
Organising President

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

I am pleased to announce that the Centre for Hearing and Ear Implants, Singapore General Hospital (SGH) will be presenting the 7th APSCI on 1-4 December 2009. SGH is part of the Outram Campus, which is being transformed into an Academic Medical Center. Being a leading cochlear implant center in this Region, SGH is proud to host this event with the theme when East meets West; from Past to Future.

Singapore has been considered a gateway from the West to the Far East. Our heterogeneous, multi-racial, multi-lingual and multi-cultural society reflects Asia-Pacific's diverse patterns and practices in the field of hearing loss. An APSCI in Singapore would be the ideal occasion for colleagues from the Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world to come together and share their different experiences in this exciting field.

Many professionals contribute to the holistic management of hearing loss. To name a few, scientists unravel the cellular and molecular processes involved in hearing loss and pave the way for medical advances. Bioengineers design and produce effective hearing devices. Surgeons perform cochlear and other implant surgeries, with audiologists and rehabilitationists playing major roles thereafter. Psychologists and medical social workers address the psycho-social issues which commonly exist. Educationists are intimately involved in the downstream education process for the children.

The 7th APSCI will therefore, provide a platform for all professionals involved to come together and learn from each other. To make it even more enjoyable for all, an exciting social program is being planned. The Symposium aims to facilitate not only creation of the best cochlear implants and other implantable hearing devices but also adoption of the best medical practices in managing hearing loss. Ultimately, we want the best possible treatment outcomes, for now and for the future.

For these reasons and more, you would want to make Singapore your destination in December 2009.

See you then.

Christopher Wong-Kein LOW
MBBS, PhD, FRCS
President, Organizing Committee