When the ear gets tired, the brain gets confused.
The Science Bar is partnering with Brain Awareness Week to discuss deafness and neurocognitive disorders.
Against a backdrop of rapid global population aging, the prevention of neurocognitive disorders is a major public health issue. Identifying the levers for action that can delay their onset is now a priority.
Among modifiable risk factors, hearing loss appears to be the most significant. Numerous scientific publications, reported in the mainstream press, emphasize the importance of early detection of hearing loss and highlight the close links between hearing impairment and cognitive decline.
Come and chat over a drink with specialists in the field during this edition linked to Brain Awareness Week 2026 organized by the Society for Neuroscience.
To discuss this topic, five multidisciplinary experts will answer questions from the audience live:
- Germain Busto is a neuroscientist in the Department of Neurology at Montpellier University Hospital and at the Montpellier Institute of Neuroscience (INM – Inserm, Montpellier University Hospital, University of Montpellier). His research provides a better understanding of the mechanisms of memory and how they are altered by certain diseases such as Alzheimer's.
- François Dejean is an audiologist at Audilab and holds a master's degree in audiology and hearing disorders from the University of Montpellier. He is also secretary of the French Audiology Society.
- Jean-Luc Puel is a professor at the University of Montpellier, head of the hearing team, and former director of the Montpellier Institute of Neuroscience (INM – Inserm, University of Montpellier). He is also President of the National Hearing Association. His research focuses on the functioning of the inner ear in humans.
- Elodie Richard is an Inserm research fellow at the Molecular Mechanisms in Neurodegenerative Dementias Laboratory (MMDN – Inserm, University of Montpellier, EPHE). Her research focuses on the cellular determinants of neurodegenerative and neurosensory processes (hearing and vision).
- Cédric Turpinat is a hospital practitioner and neurologist at the Memory, Resources, and Research Center Research CMRR–Montpellier University Hospital). His research contributes to knowledge and detection of neurodegenerative diseases through access to diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
Free admission, subject to availability.
The Science Bar has become one of Montpellier's flagship scientific culture events, offering a monthly participatory public debate on all aspects of science from January to June. Throughout the season, scientists are invited to engage in dialogue where their knowledge and practices are shared and discussed.
Once again this year, the Science Bar is benefiting from the support of the University of Montpellier's Science with and for Society (SAPS) ministerial label. As part of this certification, the commitment to making scientific culture increasingly accessible continues. Special attention will be paid to the inclusion of deaf and hard-of-hearing people at each Bar des Sciences evening. This evening will therefore benefit from sign language interpretation provided by Des'L Interprétation.
The season is co-produced by the scientific culture departments of UM and its partners: INRAE, INSERM, IRD, the Faculty of Sciences of Montpellier, and Radio Aviva.
Upcoming program:
- April 16, Microplastics: From the Ocean to Your Plate. 7:30 p.m., Brasserie Le Dôme, Montpellier. Translated into French Sign Language.
- May 28, Agroforestry, pastoralism: a revolution in our territories. 7:30 p.m.,
Brasserie Le Dôme, Montpellier. Translated into French sign language. - June 11, Amateur Collections: From the Personal to Scientific Heritage. 7 p.m.,
Émile Zola Media Library, Montpellier. Translated into French Sign Language.
Program for Brain Awareness Week 2026, organized by the Society for Neuroscience, which you can find here.
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