09-13, 09:30–10:00 (Europe/Istanbul), Pediatric Otolaryngology 2
Newborn Hearing Screening Programs (NHSP) represent a major scientific advancement that has made significant contributions to society — not only in the fields of otologic and pediatric health, but also in education and psychosocial development. Although NHSPs were first introduced in developed countries in Europe and the United States, their greatest impact may now be emerging in other parts of the world.
Therefore, I propose that the Scientific Board of IFOS consider organizing a scientific Round Table or International Symposium that brings together international experts — particularly from developing and least developed countries — who have practical experience in implementing national hearing screening programs.
The expected outcomes of this meeting include identifying best practices adaptable to different healthcare infrastructures, developing recommendations for policymakers, and strengthening international cooperation within the IFOS framework.
The Round Table or International Symposium could be organized as part of the upcoming IFOS Congress, featuring concise presentations followed by open discussions among multidisciplinary experts, including otologists, audiologists, pediatricians, and public health specialists.
I am confident that this initiative will create a valuable platform for sharing global experiences and further strengthen IFOS’s leadership in preventive otology. I would be pleased to collaborate with the Scientific Board in refining this concept and identifying potential contributors.
Reference: Y. K. Kemaloğlu, " Newborn Hearing Screening," In Otology Update , Basel: Springer Nature Switzerland Ag, 2025, pp.719-742.
The aim of this proposed ‘International Symposium/Round Table’ is to enable the sharing of experiences, challenges and successful models from various regions within the IFOS framework, encouraging collaboration and knowledge transfer not only on the early diagnosis and management of childhood hearing loss, but also on its educational and psychosocial impacts.
Education & Academic Background
Medical Degree: Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine (1987).
Residency: Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Otorhinolaryngology (1993).
Research Fellowship: Niigata University, Japan (1991–1993). Conducted the research project “Relationship between craniofacial development and middle ear functions in cleft palate patients” under the MONBUSHO Scholarship.
ORL-postgraduate Thesis: “Investigation of the Craniofacial Skeleton in Cases of Adenoid Vegetation and Secretory Otitis Media” (Advisor: Prof. N. Akyıldız).
Academic Appointments
Professor: Gazi University (GU) Faculty of Medicine (2003–Present).
Associate Professor: GU Faculty of Medicine (1997–2003).
Head of the Division of Audiology: GU (2004–Present).
Chairman of the ORL-HNS Department: GU (2013–2021).
Institutional Leadership & Founded Programs
Dr. Kemaloğlu has been a pioneer in establishing audiological infrastructure in Turkey, having founded:
The Prof. Dr. N. Akyıldız Hearing, Speech, Voice, and Balance Disorders Diagnosis and Treatment Center (2002).
MSc Program in Audiology, Voice, and Speech Disorders (GU, 2002).
Division of Audiology at GU (2004).
Research & Projects
International Collaboration: Researcher for "Core B-Project 4" in the “Middle Ear Pressure Regulation in Health and Disease NIDCD P50” project at the University of Pittsburgh (2010–Present).
Sign Language & Education: Principal Investigator for two World Bank-funded projects regarding “Educational Problems of the Hearing Impaired and Turkish Sign Language (TID).”
Grant Projects: Led numerous scientific research projects supported by the EU, TUBITAK, and university funds.
Supervision: Mentored approximately 20 Master’s theses and ORL-HNS residency dissertations.
Advisory & Public Service
National Hearing Screening: Served on the founding scientific advisory team for the National Newborn Hearing Screening (NNHS) Pilot Project in Türkiye; currently serves as a consultant for the Ministry of Health’s NNHS program.
Governmental Commissions: Member of the Ministry of Health and Social Security Institution (SGK) commissions regarding hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Turkish Sign Language (TID):
Member of the TID Scientific Approval Board (Turkish Language Association, 2010–2013).
Chairman of the TID Dictionary Commission.
Member of the TID Interpreter Examination Commission.
Professional Societies & Congress Presidency
President: Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (2018–2021); Vice President (2016–2018).
Board Member: Society of Otology and Neurotology; Center for the Development of the Hearing Impaired; Association of Hearing and Speech Scientists.
Congress Leadership:
President of the 14th International Congress of ORL & Head and Neck Surgery (2021).
Co-organizer of SIGN5: 5th International Conference on Sign Languages and Deaf Studies with the University of Central Lancashire (2011).
Scientific Secretary for the 1st and 2nd Neuro-Otology Conferences (EAONO & GU).
Publications & Innovations
· Publications: Over 120 scientific articles (approx. 70 in international peer-reviewed journals) mainly focusing on otology, audiology, NHS, and voice.
Books: Co-author of the textbook “Otitis Media” (with Prof. Akyıldız).
Intellectual Property:
Patent: Holds a patent for a unique method of analyzing snoring sounds for the diagnosis and treatment of OSA.
Software: Developed trademarked voice analysis software (with Prof. Mengü).
· Reports: Authored the "E-İşit Project Report" regarding electronic materials for higher education for the hearing impaired.
Personal
Languages: English, Japanese (Limited).