José Juan Barajas de Prat, MD, PhD

Dr. Barajas was awarded his degree in medicine and surgery from the University of Navarra in Spain in 1970, before attaining his diploma in the specialism of laryngology and otology in London and becoming an otolaryngology specialist in 1977. His doctoral of medicine was awarded in 1985 on the, “Evoked Auditory Action Potential of the Brainstem in Neurological Diagnosis.” He has had appointments in the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, as well as the Canary Islands.

As an otolaryngologist and audiological physician, he ran a busy clinical practice that provided opportunities for many students to be involved in activities related to the theory and practice of electrophysiology and the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of the disorders of voice, language, and hearing. The clinic also provided opportunities for hands-on service through surgical and audiologic management of patients with an otologic disease, hearing loss, and vestibular disorders. These included amplification and cochlear implants for infants and children identified with hearing loss.

In addition to his substantial clinical activities, Dr. Barajas has been committed to research on hearing impairment, assessment techniques, electrophysiology, and rehabilitation of people with hearing loss. This is evidenced by a full curriculum vitae that include 66 publication in peer-reviewed journals, nine book chapters, 157 presentations at seminars and invited lectures, and 94 conference presentations. His publications have been on the leading edge of professional knowledge, beginning with impedance measurements in the early days, through electrophysiology and cochlear implants. Many of his publications have been on basic science topics related to audition. A review of Citation Index indicates that his work is well recognized and frequently cited in the world literature. In addition to his personal publications, Dr. Barajas has served on many editorial boards as reviewer and editor. Finally, he has organized and hosted major audiology and hearing science meetings in Tenerife, Canary Islands, that include meetings of the European Federation of Audiological Societies and the International Evoked Response Audiometry Study Group. He has had university appointments in Spain, Brazil, and Columbia.

Dr. Barajas has made numerous contributions to the audiology profession through founding organizations, volunteering on scientific committees, and serving in leadership roles. He served as the president of the International Association of Physicians in Audiology in 2004, and president of the International Society of Audiology from 2010-2012.

Humanitarian activities have also been championed by Dr. Barajas. He has been the director for Spain’s Special Olympics Health Hearing movement that is based in Washington, D.C. He has also worked in several International Olympic Games including Japan, Italy, and Greece. In 1985, he founded The Canarian Foundation Dr. Barajas, a non-profit organization for prevention and investigation of deafness.

Dr. Barajas has served his profession with genuine enthusiasm and is considered a warm and friendly ambassador among professionals from around the world. It is for these attributes and a truly outstanding service to the profession of audiology in all aspects of clinical, academic, research, and professional pursuits that Dr. José Juan Barajas de Prat will receive the International Award in Hearing.