Some milestones are more than just a celebration.
They are moments of pride, reflection, and forward vision. This was certainly true for Cochlear, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year with an inspiring event in Mechelen, Belgium. Under the theme “Beyond Hearing”, Cochlear brought together professionals, experts, and partners around one shared mission: improving lives through hearing technology that pushes boundaries.
A day filled with insights and inspiration
The day was hosted by Fadoua Amraoui, Governmental Affairs Manager at beMedTech Belgium, and featured an impressive line-up of speakers from across Europe. The morning session opened with welcoming words from Bart Somers, Mayor of Mechelen, and Anthony Bishop, President Cochlear EMEA, who set the tone: innovation in the MedTech industry is not only a technological challenge, but also a societal responsibility.
Next came an empowering keynote from Joyce de Ruiter, inspirational speaker, author, and coach, titled “Change is constant. Agility is a choice!” Her story about resilience and adaptability resonated deeply with the audience.
The morning continued with Jan Janssen, Chief Technology Officer at Cochlear, who explored “The future of hearing & beyond hearing.” A thought-provoking panel discussion followed — “Where does technology meet care?” — bringing together professionals and patients alike, including Dr. Wendy Huinck (Radboudumc Nijmegen), Prof. Dr. Andrzej Zarowski (European Institute ORL-HNS Antwerp), and Catherine Picard (Vice President Advanced Innovation, Cochlear). The exchange between patient experience, clinical expertise, and technological innovation perfectly embodied Cochlear’s core philosophy: collaboration and progress in service of people.
From technology to societal impact
After an inspiring networking lunch and visit to the Tech Expo, the afternoon programme, hosted by Carl Van Himbeeck and Niels van Druten, shifted focus toward customer-centric innovation and the societal value of hearing technology.
Stefan Gijssels (President, Patient Expert Center Belgium) and Dr. Leo De Raeve (Director ONICI & Chair CIICA) opened the session with a discussion on creating value through the eyes of the user. They were followed by Prof. Dr. Vincent Van Rompaey (UZ Antwerpen), who explored the lifetime of hearing and the broader consequences of hearing loss over time — highlighting the importance of prevention and early intervention.
The programme concluded with sessions from Dr. Angel Ramos de Miguel (BionicVest) and Dr. Lasse Jagschies (Precisis), who presented the latest breakthroughs in hearing technology and their impact on society worldwide.
Looking ahead – 25 years of innovation and beyond
The day was wrapped up by Peter Van Gerwen, Vice President Commercial Cochlear EMEA, who reflected on the day’s key insights, followed by closing remarks from the Australian Ambassador, General Angus Campbell.
The event ended with a festive reception and a collective toast — not only to 25 years of Cochlear, but to the exciting future ahead, where technology and humanity continue to move forward hand in hand.