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Presentation of the European Academy of
 Otology and Neuro-Otology (EAONO)

 

I - The registered office of the EAONO is located in Antwerp Belgium. EAONO has been affiliated to IFOS since March 1997.
 

II - The goal of EAONO is to link otology and neuro-otology within the ENT field.
 

The main purposes of the EAONO are the followings:
 

- to bring together groups and experts in otology, neuro-otology and skull base surgery from all over Europe;

- to exchange and disseminate information about the ear. The sensoneural system of audition and equilibrium, trigeminal, facial, lower cranial nerves skull base and related disorders all of which requiring special knowledge border on ORL;

- to stimulate basic and clinical research;

- to encourage high quality training programmes, and exchange programmes;

- to support the foundation of a European associated section called “Neuro-otology“ within the speciality otorhinolaryngology cervicofacial surgery following the charter on training of medical specialists in the European community.
 

Above this last point is the long-term goal of the EAONO. This course will take several years, because the application of an associated section at European level requires two prior conditions:
 

- Firstly the general ENT programme at university must reach a duration of six years.

- Secondly the duration of six years must be catered for, in at least four countries within the European community
 

But in the meantime, certain things have to be accomplished:
 

- Firstly, to organize a European lobby to support the sub-speciality “otology and neuro-otology“ skull base surgery;

- Secondly, to organize the harmonisation of the training programme;

- Thirdly, to organize the meeting of the European Academy of otology and neuro-otology every two years;

- Fourthly, to set up an official and legal entity to defend our interests.
 

III - Membership:
 

- Full members are European ENT specialists engaged in the practice of otology, neuro-otology or skull base surgery.

- Associate members are medical doctors without ORL speciality, or scientists connected to otology and neuro-otology or ORL specialists outside European countries.

- Trainee members must have completed the training programme in otorhinolaryngology and want to specialize further in otology, neuro-otology. They must be recommended by the director of their department.
 

IV - The structure of the academy is:
 

- The General Assembly which consists of all the members.
 

- The Board consists of founder members and two to six full members for each participating country according the ORL population that means about 200 board members.
 

- The Board elects the steering committee.
 

- The steering committee consists of:

The president

The chairman of the Academic training programme

A general secretary

Regional secretaries

The treasurer
 

The period in office is two years in order to have a fast turnover and an effective representation.

- Standing committees are specialized technical committees set up for a period of 4 years.

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