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Assoc. Prof. Piotr Henryk Skarżyński, MD, PhD, MSc received the Superlider Award in the category of “health” in the contest organised by the editorial team of the “Echo Dnia” magazine. The contest jury honoured the contribution Prof. P.H. Skarżyński has made into the propagation of pro-health attitudes and improvement of detection of hearing and speech disorders among the youngest local inhabitants in particular.

The Leader of the Region award is granted to the fathers of economic success in multiple fields and areas of market activities. This year the awards were presented for the twelfth time. The contest jury honoured individuals, enterprises and local governments that could boast outstanding achievements, compared with their competitors on the market. The laureates of the contest comprised well-known large enterprises as well as small-sized business entities which stand out on the local market. The “Superlider” Award is the highest possible distinction granted in recognition of distinguished contributions to the regional development and improving the standard of living of its inhabitants. The Grand Finale ceremony during which winners of the twelfth edition of the contest were announced took place on 21 November in the Concert Hall of the Radom School of Music.

Thanking for the award, Prof. Piotr H. Skarżyński emphasised the importance of social participation in prophylactic and screening programmes which play the key role not only in the detection of potential health disorders but also in the collection of population data which are indispensable to plan both regional and national health policies. Prof. Skarżyński also thanked the entire team participating in the programme of hearing screening tests for first grade primary school students in the Mazowieckie Voivodeship for their engagement and efforts made in order to provide children with an opportunity of early diagnosis and dissemination of knowledge pertaining to hearing impairments.

Honorary members of the contest jury included Adam Bielan, Deputy Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, Zbigniew Kuźmiuk, a Member of the European Parliament, as well as Rafał Rajkowski, Deputy Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship. Honorary patrons of the Award were Wojciech Skurkiewicz, Deputy Minister of National Defence, Radosław Witkowski, President of the City of Radom, as well as Anna Maria Białkowska, Anna Kwiecień, Andrzej Kosztowniak and Leszek Ruszczyk, Members of Parliament of the Republic of Poland.

In July the World Health Organisation (WHO) held at its domicile in Geneva the third global meeting on programme on prevention of deafness and hearing loss treatment programme.

The World Health Organisation announced the establishment of the World Hearing Forum (WHF), an alliance between the UN agencies, governments, scientists, NGOs and private entrepreneurs aimed at intensification of actions aimed at hearing care promotion. This international organisational and scientific support of unprecedented scale and range is highly important for devising subsequent actions, programmes and projects aimed at global health promotion in cooperation with with various continental, regional and local institutions.

According to the WHO’s estimates, ca. 466 million people all over the world suffer from major hearing loss, while ca. 500 million experience other types of hearing impairments affecting their daily lives. In the coming years these numbers are likely to increase substantially. In keeping with the WHO’s calculations the total global costs generated by the still unsolved problem of hearing loss amount to USD 750 billion per year. Hence, some preventive measures need be taken, not only globally, but mostly at continental, national and local levels.

The WHO focuses on the prevalence of hearing impairments and consequences of the lack of treatment, indicating solutions that could help to minimise such problems and encouraging governments and competent institution to take actions aimed at improving diagnostics and treatment of hearing impairments for e.g. by implementing effective and economically viable screening tests and using state-of-the art technologies and e-health tools. At the same time, the WHO also highlights the importance of education, prevention, monitoring and active commitment of patients.

Members of the alliance have also pointed out to the social aspects of communication disorders and their impact on the proper intellectual and emotional development, which may, in turn, affect one’s social and economic situation.

Hearing impairments are nowadays regarded as civilization-related diseases. It is widely acknowledged that the properly functioning organ of hearing is an indispensable element of interpersonal communication and a pillar of contemporary information society. Therefore, hearing impairments are regarded as major development barriers, hindering the process of acquisition of linguistic skills and active participation in social life. Bearing in mind the enormous scale of the problem, actions focused on early diagnostics, therapy and rehabilitation of the aforementioned disabilities are indispensable.

– It is highly important for us to reach the patients, especially the senior ones aged 75 and more, out of whom three-quarters experience some kind of hearing loss, in order to help them stay capable of maintaining good communication with their surroundings for longer – says Professor Skarżyński.

The consensus around screening tests, hearing loss prevention and treatment of deafness forged among international representatives of the World Hearing Forum is an event of a great topical value. Such actions are also very significant for Poland. Professor Skarżyński quoted an example of a unique multi-specialist programme intended for prevention of civilization-related diseases”Health Comes First” implemented during the summer season across Poland. – Such large-scale preventive measures are one of the ways to promote healthy attitudes – explains Professor Skarżyński.

The idea of hearing screening tests is promoted by the members of the World Hearing Center’s Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing not only all over Europe, but also overseas. This applies, in particular, to developing countries with generally less developed healthcare and disease prevention systems, which can be the major beneficiaries of the knowledge, experience and best practices shared by the Polish specialists.

As a result of the cooperation with local institutions and healthcare centres, a number of hearing screening tests were carried out in such countries and regions as for e.g. in Moldova, Romania, Western Siberia, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Senegal, Nigeria, Rwanda and Ivory Coast.

Assoc. Prof. Piotr Henryk Skarżyński, MD, PhD, MSc was qualified as the Member of the prestigious Hearing Committee, operating within the American scientific society – American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Only those with the most outstanding scientific achievements and developments in the field of otolaryngology are selected from those applying to the Committee. Assoc. Prof. Piotr Henryk Skarżyński, MD, PhD, MSc is the only representative of Poland in this Committee, as well as its youngest foreign member.

The Hearing Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, consisting of only 24 members from various countries, gathers and promotes scientific reports and particularly important information in the field of otolaryngology – head and neck surgery. This activity is carried out through lectures and presentations, scientific and research programs, and the publication of various materials.

Additionally, members of the Hearing Committee are undertaking numerous activities in the field of research, education, including specialist training and setting new standards and emerging trends. The Committee also performs an advisory function, supporting scientific organisations and providing information and answers to international inquiries on current issues in otolaryngology.

On 24 October 2017, in the World Hearing Center of the Institute of Physiology and Pathology in Kajetany, took place the first in CEE cochlear implant surgery with the newest thin, straight electrode HiFocus SlimJ.  Dr Piotr H. Skarzynski assisted in the operation conducted by prof. Henryk Skarzynski.

HiFocus SlimJ is a straight electrode of small diameter. Such electrode build facilitates preservation of functional hearing and inner ear structures during its insertion. Use of such electrode in combination with a minimally traumatic insertion method through the round window developed by H. Skarżyński, made it possible to extend the criteria of qualification for cochlear implant to patients with partial deafness, which means people with good, or slightly weakened hearing in low frequencies and significant hearing loss in high frequency range. Using the H. Skarżyński method, insertion of an electrode into a cochlea does not damage its normally functioning segments.

Skarżynski’s method, so called ‘Round Window Approach’, is the topic of the training course ‘Window Approach Workshop WAW’, organized in Kajetany since 10 years ago, with participation of ear surgeons from the whole world. The first in CEE cochlear implantation with the HiFocus SlimJ electrode was one of eight demonstration surgeries performed on 24 Oct. in the World Hearing Center during the WAW workshop. It has been observed by 18 workshop participants – surgeons from the Czech Republic, Italy, Belgium, United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Romania and Russia, as well as several doctors and residents from the Institute.

Ass. Prof. Dr. Piotr Henryk Skarżyński, M.D., Ph.D., Msc. presented his lecture, titled: Hearing screening of school-age children, with the inclusion of auditory processing disorder issues.

CAPD without secrets. Diagnoses and therapy of central auditory processing disorders in children and young adults conference took place on 20 October 2017 in Rzeszów. Physicians, speech therapists, psychologists and teachers were learning about nature of the issue and shared their experience, in order to provide specialized therapy to more children, that need help.

Central Hearing Disorders (CAPD) is a group of symptoms for a variety of disorders. which are caused by irregularietes of the central nervous system.  In other words: child hears (hearing tests do not show any problems), but does not listen – behaves and functions like other children with hearing loss. Such a child may be compared to someone who is in a foreign country and do not understand the local language. Such a person hears surrounding talks, but does not understand them.

Effect of such disorders are difficulties in learning, that occurs despite proper intelligence development. Quick diagnosis of alarming symptoms and sending child for a specialized tests (and if it is required, also on rehabilitation and therapy) is the key to proper help.

Cantral Auditory Processing Disorder is a problem, that affects mostly early school-age children. Hearing screening, that we conducted on the area of rural districts from all over Poland, shows that even 15% of all children may require an in-depth diagnosis and speech therapy. Fortunately there are already proper devices, which help in therapy, on the market, and leading medical facilities are ready to help those in need – says Ass. Prof. Dr. Piotr Henryk Skarżyński, M.D.

Conference participants, not only listened to the lectures about the CAPD diagnosis and therapy, but also took part in the workshops, where they could learn about practical aspects of the work with students, programming speech therapy, and how to conduct behavioral and electrophysiological tests.

The aim of this conference was to share the knowledge and experience, and to create a space, where physicians, diagnostic workers, speech therapists, teachers, psychologists and other specialists could exchange information, in order to learn about their individual needs, and to improve communication with each other – says Dorota Szuber, MD, head of Podkarpackie Centre of Hearing and Speech.

Conference was co-organised by Podkarpackie Centre of Hearing and Speech Medincus, Institute of Sensory Organs and Society of Polish Otorhinolaryngologists, Phoniatrists and Audiologists. President of the Rzeszów City has assumed honorary patronage overthis conference.

During the conference, speakers also gave interviews on the topic:„When child hears, but not listening…”.

Interview with the Ass. Prof.Dr. Piotr Henryk Skarżyński, M.D. is available in the following link: http://supernowosci24.pl/gdy-dziecko-slyszy-a-nie-slucha/.

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Ass. Prof. Dr. Piotr Henryk Skarżyński, M.D., Ph.D., Msc.- member of the CSiM Medincus board, has received the “Lider Regionu” (Leader of the Region) award, as representative of the Radom facility of Center of Hearing and Speech MEDINCUS. The competition is an annual event organized by the editorial office of “Echo Dnia”. During the Grand Final Gala, that took place on 22 September in Concert Hall of the Music School Complex in Radom, were announced winners of the 11 edition of economic awards.

During the reception of award, Prof. Dr. Piotr Henryk Skarżyński emphasized the importance of the Radom facility in creation of National Network of Teleaudiology and development of teleaudiology, which is currently one of the flagships, that represents Polish science in the world. Later on he thanked patients and National Health Fund for their trust and faith in the Radom facility of the Center of Hearing and Speech MEDINCUS, that it had through out the years, and also facility team, that constantly work on the development and improvement of the quality of facility’s services.

Leader of the Region is a honorary award dedicated to creators of an economic success in different areas of market activities. The Jury awards companies and  local governments, which achieved an outstanding results, in comparison to their competitors. Among the winners are well known, large companies as well as smaller businesses, which stand out in the local market.

Among the honorary members of the jury were: Deputy Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland Adam Bielan, Member of the European Parliament Zbigniew Kuźmiuk and Deputy Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship Rafał Rajkowski. Among the honorary patrons were: Marcin Ruta, Anna Białkowska, Ewa Kopacz, Anna Kwiecień, Andrzej Kosztowniak, Wojciech Skurkiewicz, Leszek Ruszczyk, Radosław Witkowski, Wiesław Wędzonka, Robert Składowski, Dariusz Gizka, Dariusz Wołczyński, Łukasz Białczak, Katarzyna Wielocha and Jerzy Kowal.

More information and full video coverage of the gala at:

http://www.echodnia.eu/radomskie/wiadomosci/region/a/oto-liderzy-regionu-2017-firmy-instytucje-i-samorzady-z-nagroda-gospodarcza-redakcji-echa-dnia,12511388/

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On Tuesday, May 12, 2017, the 12th edition of the world’s most popular LION training video conference – Life International Otology Network was held under the slogan “The 12th Global Otology-Neurotology Live Surgical Broadcast”. The program included 41 live operations from 18 operating rooms around the world connected via the HUB: UTRECHT network. This year, ass. prof. Piotr Henryk Skarżyński assisted at both demonstrations in real time:

• implantation of a cochlear implant (Med-El Flex electrode)
• ossiculoplasty using glass cement.

The LION Foundation aims at continuous improvement of qualifications of otosurgeons and neurootologists through regular videoconferences, during which demonstration activities are performed by the best specialists in the field.

More information: http://www.lion-web.org

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The Finnish National Conference on Telemedicine and eHealth (Suomen telelääketieeteen ja eHealth seura ry XXII Kansallinen telelääketieteen ja eHealth seminaari) was held on 20-21 April 2017 in southwest Finland, in Turku, under the motto „Win-Win-Win, Can citizens, professionals and society all win? “

Ass. prof. Piotr Henryk Skarżyński, MD presented what has so far been achieved in eHealth and what actions are being taken now and what are the plans for the future. The speech was related to presentations of Polish achievements and experience of the World Hearing Center in the development of the National Network of Teleaudiology and further plans connected with the development and improvement of this system. Ass. prof. Piotr Henryk Skarżyński explained how the system for telefitting, telediagnosis, teleconsultations and telerehabilitation affects the quality of patient care.

The speech by ass. prof. Piotr H. Skarżyński, MD, was delivered in the opening session of the conference. It was a lecture devoted to the memory of Dr. Ilk Winblad, the founder and first editor-in-chief of the Finnish Journal of eHealth and eWelfare, who died of sudden illness in November 2011. Since 2012, during this conference, recurring lectures are being held. Each year, the Finnish Telemedicine and e-Health Association selects one outstanding specialist to present an honorary lecture summarizing the experience of one’s own professional field.

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