2014
Maris Kruusmaa, a special education student in her third year of studies at the University of Tartu, has been awarded an Audiere scholarship to study audiology at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. The scholarship, which was established on the initiative of the NGO Audiere and with the support of the Association of Estonian Ear, Nose and Throat Doctors and the Head and Neck Surgeons Society, supports the training of audiologists in Manchester.
Hearing science is not taught in Estonia and no specialists in the field have emerged in the last twenty years. However, the need for modern audiologists in the country is constantly increasing, because the number of patients suffering from early deafness is on the rise. Audiologists also deal with the care and rehabilitation of the deaf and patients with cochlear implants.
Maris Kruusmaa begins her studies in Manchester as the second Audiere scholar in autumn 2014. Master’s programmes in audiology at the University of Manchester are led by Dr Kai Uus.
One of the major contributors to the Audiere scholarship fund of 2014 is state operated Archimedes Foundation. Generous support from pharmaceutical company Linus Medical as well as other donations made to Audiere form the remainder of the amount. The scholarship was presented by the minister of social affairs Helmen Kütt at a special ceremony held on 25 April at the Mustpeade Maja in Tallinn.
