From Idea to Impact: MED-EL Celebrates Global Winners of IDEASforEARS Contest
June 18, 2025 – (Innsbruck, Austria): What happens when you bring together young inventors from around the world, each with a powerful idea to make life better for people with hearing loss? You get the global IDEASforEARS 2025 winners event, hosted by hearing implant leader MED-EL in Innsbruck, Austria – two inspiring days filled with creativity, innovation, unforgettable moments, and the audacity to dream big.
- Global Recognition: Children from around the world were celebrated for their inventions to support people with hearing loss
- Enriching Exchange: A two-day journey of innovation, creativity, and cross-cultural connection at MED-EL headquarters in Innsbruck, Austria
- Continued Collaboration: Partnership with Microsoft supports young inventors and strengthens inclusive communication globally
Initiated by MED-EL, the IDEASforEARS contest is an annual global competition that invites children to submit their inventive ideas to improve the lives of people with hearing loss. This year’s edition set new records: 355 children from 24 countries submitted original inventions to help people with hearing loss — the highest number of participants in the contest’s history. And for the first time ever, winners from Nigeria and China joined the global line-up, marking a powerful step forward for diversity and inclusion in hearing innovation.
Celebrating the IDEASforEARS 2025 winners:
- Amanda Cunha de Mello, 10 – Brazil
- Arabella Lillian Romsa, 12 – United States
- Camila Marelli, 10 – Argentina
- Ian Froilan Alarcón Suárez, 11 – Colombia
- Joshua Obadin, 12 – Nigeria
- Aurora Schiazza, 9 – Italy
- María Mattos Santisteban, 8 – Spain
- Mathilde Santuber Sinnig, 9 – Germany
- Pola Binienda, 8 – Poland
- Yintao Fan, 12 – China
Where Ideas Meet Impact
For the young inventors, the IDEASforEARS event was more than just a prize — it was a journey of discovery, connection, and confidence. Alongside their families, the winners explored MED-EL’s global headquarters, met engineers, took part in creative workshops, and shared their inventions with hearing experts. Just as memorable? Meeting kids from other countries, learning about different cultures, and realizing that big ideas know no borders. The event also featured heartfelt and entertaining talent performances by some of some children— from piano and violin to dancing and electric guitar — showcasing not only their creativity in innovation, but also their passion and individuality.
“Coming to MED-EL’s headquarters was very special,” says Yintao Fan from China, one of this year’s winners. “I got to share my invention, and performing the violin there really boosted my confidence. But the best part? Meeting the persons who made my implant and having lunch with them – that was fantastic. Thanks to their work and my implants, I can hear so well now. I can take listening exams at school and get better marks. That means a lot to me.”“The friendships and bonds we have built through IDEASforEARS have been absolutely incredible,” shares Sarah Romsa, mother of Arabella, a winner from the USA. “We are forever grateful for this opportunity. From touring the MED-EL headquarters to meeting the people behind the implants – every detail was so thoughtfully planned and filled with kindness. For Arabella, getting to know other young inventors with hearing loss was powerful. She found a connection she does not get anywhere else.”
For MED-EL, inspiring the next generation of innovators is at the heart of the event’s mission. “The IDEASforEARS contest gives children a voice in innovation. They bring fresh perspectives to real-life challenges – and their ideas truly inspire us,” says Jennifer Robinson, Corporate Director of Product Management Hearing Solutions at MED-EL. “We are proud to support and celebrate these young changemakers who are already thinking about how to make the world more inclusive.”
“This event is not just about inventions – it is about empowering children to see themselves as problem-solvers, creators, and future engineers,” adds Dr. Patrick D’Haese, MED-EL’s Corporate Director of Awareness and Public Affairs. “IDEASforEARS is a celebration of creativity – and a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful ideas come from the smallest voices. It also gives children the chance to meet and connect with peers from around the world who share similar experiences and dreams.”
Building Connections: Microsoft & MED-EL
For the second consecutive year, Microsoft joined IDEASforEARS as the official Technology Partner, helping to make the 2024 event truly inclusive and collaborative. Ahead of the event, an online workshop introduced the young inventors to Microsoft AI tools that can bring their ideas to life – showing how accessibility and innovation go hand in hand. At the event itself, young inventors were equipped with Microsoft Surface Copilot Edition tablets featuring AI-powered live translation and built-in accessibility features, allowing them to collaborate seamlessly across languages and hearing abilities. More than just devices, the accessible tech continues to empower participants beyond the event, enabling them to develop and refine their ideas while embedding inclusivity into their everyday lives. Microsoft’s commitment to accessible innovation sets a new benchmark for designing technology that amplifies diverse voices and removes barriers to connection.
IDEASforEARS continues to inspire a new generation of young innovators. The next round of the contest will launch in November 2025 – once again giving children around the world the chance to share their bright ideas for making hearing more accessible for everyone.
For more information, please visit the IDEASforEARS website as well as the IDEASforEARS Facebook page.
About IDEASforEARS
The yearly IDEASforEARS children's invention contest challenges children aged 6-12 years to develop a creative idea to improve the lives of people with hearing loss. Since its first edition in 2017, IDEASforEARS has seen over 1,700 entries spanning more than 45 countries, showcasing its global reach and popularity. The grand prize for the winners includes a trip to Innsbruck, Austria, where MED-EL is headquartered. The children have the unique opportunity to connect with fellow creative minds from around the world, fostering a global exchange of ideas and innovation.
About MED-EL
MED-EL Medical Electronics, a leader in implantable hearing solutions, is driven by a mission to overcome hearing loss as a barrier to communication and quality of life. The Austrian-based, privately owned business was co-founded by industry pioneers Ingeborg and Erwin Hochmair, whose ground-breaking research led to the development of the world’s first micro-electronic multi-channel cochlear implant (CI), which was successfully implanted in 1977 and was the basis for what is known as the modern CI today. This laid the foundation for the successful growth of the company in 1990, when they hired their first employees. To date, MED-EL has more than 2,900 employees from around 90 nations and 30 locations worldwide.
The company offers the widest range of implantable and non-implantable solutions to treat all types of hearing loss, enabling people in 137 countries enjoy the gift of hearing with the help of a MED-EL device. MED-EL’s hearing solutions include cochlear and middle ear implant systems, a combined electric acoustic stimulation hearing implant system, auditory brainstem implants as well as surgical and non-surgical bone conduction devices. www.medel.com
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