The German Foundation for Tinnitus and Hearing Charité is recognized as serving tax-privileged purposes due to the promotion of science and research (§ 52 para. 2 sentence 1 no.(n) 1 AO) as well as the promotion of public health and health care (§ 52 para. 2 sentence 1 no.(n) 3 AO) by the certificate of the Tax Office for Corporations I Berlin. It is confirmed that the donation will only be used for the promotion of science and research (§ 52 para. 2 sentence 1 no.(n) 1 AO) and the promotion of public health and health care (§ 52 para. 2 sentence 1 no.(n) 3 AO).

Many young people don’t realize how much they can damage their hearing by listening to music or other noise sources for too long and too loudly. Together with the communications agency united communications, the foundation develops a campaign to protect hearing in order to encourage young people to take responsibility for their own health and to reduce the number of new cases in the long term.

The prevention campaign kicks off on July 21, 2012 at one of Germany’s biggest techno events: the Berlin Summer Rave at Tempelhof Airport: prevention and education where young people are.

In 2014, the Foundation funds the first research project on “Tinnitus and Stress” thanks to the support of the HEINZ UND HEIDE DÜRR STIFTUNG.

Start developing informational materials on the relationship between stress and tinnitus so that ear health becomes an issue in the workplace.

In 2014, the German Foundation Tinnitus and Hearing Charité organizes the world congress “International Tinnitus Seminar 2014” together with the Tinnitus Center Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin under the presidency of Prof. Dr. Birgit Mazurek. 550 of the world’s leading researchers, scientists and physicians from 53 countries participate and exchange new findings in research, diagnostics and therapy of tinnitus. The congress is under the patronage of the Governing Mayor of Berlin.

In September 2018, the Foundation, together with the Tinnitus Center of the Charité, stages the Inner Ear Biology Congress (IEB) under the presidency of Prof. Dr. Birgit Mazurek. Scientists from all over the world who are specialized in the inner ear or inner ear biochemistry meet for a lively exchange. The special significance of these conferences lies in the bringing together of research results and research hypotheses from two scientific fields that otherwise work in parallel. The IEB is therefore an important platform also for tinnitus research and therapy. An accompanying open patients day is offered on September 7, 2018.

The aim of all prevention activities at major music and sports events between 2012-2019 is to sensitize young festival and concert visitors to the issue of noise protection – without pointing fingers, of course. This prevention idea has had an impact: more and more festivals throughout Germany, as well as sports organizers, have since cooperated with the foundation. What we achieved: more than 75 volunteers distributed 128,000 pairs of earplugs and realized several thousand health talks.

More and more young people suffer from hearing disorders, often for life. With our picture book for daycare centers, children discover their sense of hearing through play and learn how important it is to pay attention to their hearing. So that tinnitus does not arise in the first place.

In 2019, the concrete development and design of a learning picture book for kindergartens begins, supported by several companies, including terzo institut. Delayed by Corona, the first prototypes can finally be produced in spring 2023 thanks to a crowdfunding campaign by Berliner Volksbank and are used in some Berlin daycare centers as part of project weeks. To prepare and raise awareness, children, educators and parents are asked in separate surveys about their own and their children’s hearing ability and about noise pollution. The final step is an evaluation, on the basis of which the project will be further developed.

With its “Research Prize Tinnitus & Hearing”, the foundation awards an outstanding scientific work in the field of causal research, early detection and therapy of tinnitus and hearing impairments for the first time in 2019. The award is endowed with 10,000.00 euros and is sponsored by restructuring partner RSP GmbH & Co KG in 2019-2022, and by PMS AG in 2023.

Start developing information material on the connection between stress & tinnitus so that ear health becomes an issue in the workplace as well.

Launch of the educational campaign “Tinnitus, Social Isolation & Dementia”: Through targeted information, explanatory videos and counseling services, the foundation wants to encourage those affected to talk about their hearing impairment and to have it treated at an early stage.