Gathering of Associations for People Affected by Hearing and Speech Disorders - Dialogue and Sharing

On November 5, 2025, the reConnect Institute welcomed representatives from associations for people affected by hearing and speech disorders. It was a day full of discussions, experience sharing, and discoveries around health research and innovation.

The purpose of this meeting was to present the missions and projects of the reConnect Institute through presentations and roundtables, and to gather testimonials from the members of the participating associations. As Yann Griset, representative of patient associations on the reConnect Institute’s management committee and President of SurdiFrance, noted: “The idea behind our meeting is to exchange ideas and find solutions so that we can advance our understanding and care of hearing and speech disorders.”

Strengthening the link between the Institute and these associations is essential for advancing health research and innovation together. 

The day highlighted a very promising dynamic, with 92% of participants indicating that the meeting helped them better understand our missions. We therefore aim to reinforce this connection with associations by keeping them informed of scientific advances and engaging in discussions about the needs of those affected. One in five participants expressed a desire to actively participate in research, reflecting both their enthusiasm and genuine commitment to moving forward together.

At the conclusion of the afternoon, Anne-Lise Giraud, Director of the reConnect Institute, emphasized the Institute’s pivotal role: “At the reConnect Institute, there are scientific working groups, but there are also missions of information, training, and education. [...] The goal today is to establish this contact; it is a starting point. We can reach out to you, but you can also reach out to us.” 

Big thanks Fondation pour l’Audition, l’Association Nationale des Implantés Cochléaires (ANIC), Association Audition Partage Implant (API), association de Réadaptation et Défense des Devenus Sourds (ARDDS), Fédération Française des aphasiques de France (FNAF), France Acouphènes, le Réseau National des SourdAveugles (RNSA), Surdi Info Service, AccesVisuel, la Fédération SurdiFrance, l’association Nationale de Parents d’Enfants Déficiens Auditifs (ANPEDA), l’Association Nationale pour les Personnes SourdAveugles, Quintette Association, à l’Institut Francilien d’implantation Cochléaire (IFIC), l’Eloquence de la Différence, Association des Fabricants Importateurs Distributeurs Européens d’implants Orthopédiques & traumatologiques (AFIDEO), l'Union des Associations Nationales pour l'Inclusion des Malentendants et des Sourds (UNANIMES) pour their attendance !