Greeting from the President

Dear Members of the Korean Audiological Society,

I am Lee Kyu-yeob, the 31st President of the Korean Audiological Society (KAS). It is a great honor to take on this role, carrying the long history and tradition of our society. Since its founding in 1966, KAS has led the field of audiology in Korea for nearly 60 years, tirelessly working to promote the hearing health of our citizens. This journey has been made possible by the outstanding leadership of our former presidents and board members, and by the unwavering dedication of all our members. I am deeply grateful.

The 31st Executive Board is committed to honoring our traditions while preparing for a new leap toward the future. We will focus on the following key priorities:

First, we will continue to advocate for national attention and policy support for early diagnosis and rehabilitation of hearing loss. We aim to build a comprehensive hearing healthcare system that spans the entire life cycle — from infants and children to adults and the elderly — and will work to ensure that every citizen has access to appropriate hearing medical services at every stage of life. We will expand the role of early hearing screening and rehabilitation programs, and maintain ongoing communication with patients, local communities, and policymakers.

Second, we will strengthen the research capacity of our society and expand member participation in research. We will establish systematic frameworks for society-led research and enhance platforms for sharing findings. Our goal is to achieve SCIE indexing for our journal, the Journal of Audiology & Otology, and we will provide multifaceted support for improving the journal's quality and global standing. We will work closely with the Korean Medical Association to develop joint strategies and pursue collaborative campaigns and academic networking to elevate our journal's international profile.

Third, we will nurture the next generation of audiology professionals. We will create an environment where students and trainees in audiology-related fields can naturally engage in society activities and grow as practitioners. We will enhance hearing screening seminars and workshops to be more practical and systematic, strengthen theoretical and clinical education for audiometric testing, and offer new educational programs that are directly applicable in real clinical settings.

Fourth, we will continue to promote the internationalization of our academic activities and build a society that communicates with the world. By expanding online and in-person academic events in the post-COVID era, we aim to increase member participation. Most importantly, we will do our utmost to successfully host the 37th World Congress of Audiology (WCA) in Seoul in 2026 — an achievement that will establish KAS as a truly global society.

Dear members,
Although the environment is challenging, KAS stands on your participation and dedication, and the future will also be made together with you. I will always listen with an open heart to the voices of our members. I believe that with our collective expertise and passion, we can advance the society and make a meaningful contribution to the hearing health of the nation. I look forward to your continued interest, guidance, and warm encouragement.

May 11, 2025
Kyu-Yup Lee
31st President, Korean Audiological Society