KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian branch of Austrian medical technology company MED-EL recently organised the industry's first Academic Excellence Award to support the global event of World Hearing Day.

The award encouraged hearing-impaired or deaf students from as early as pre-school up to university to show their individual skills made possible by their MED-EL hearing implants, with Malaysian deaf university student Lavinia, 20, as among the winners.

Lavinia, detected with hearing loss at age four, is now using the Cochlear Implants.

According to a statement, more than 60 contestants took part presenting activities unique to their capability including giving speeches, singing, dancing and playing musical instrument.

Twelve of them will be awarded as winners of four award categories (pre-school, primary school, secondary school, and tertiary level), and be invited to the Austrian Ambassador's residence to personally receive trophies and cash prizes from him.

The award aimed to shed light on achievements of hearing implant users in their academic, co-curriculum involvement, and overall performance.

Each year, World Hearing Day is held to raise global awareness on the widespread topics of hearing loss and deafness. Themed 'Hearing Care for All', this year's event called for action to address not only hearing loss but also ear diseases across the life course.

MED-EL Medical Electronics, a leader in implantable hearing solutions, is driven by the mission to overcome hearing loss as a barrier to communication.

-- BERNAMA