CI2021

               CI2021 Cochlear Implants in

Children and Adults

April 28-May 1, 2021 | Virtually

Scientific Program Committee: American Cochlear Implant Alliance

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VIEW THE pOSTER lISTING

continuing education

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The issues we experienced for those verifying and downloading certificates for CEU and CME credits from the virtual platform have been resolved. All previously-completed assessment data is available on the platform. You may also continue to view on-demand sessions and complete assessments.

Extensions for CEU or CME credit claiming have also been confirmed by AAA, AG Bell, ASHA, and ACS. Claimants may do so until July 1, 2021. The virtual platform will remain open until July 1, giving CI2021 Registrants extended access to the On-Demand sessions there.

CI2021 Cochlear Implants in Children and Adults is scheduled for April 28 - May 1, 2021 “Cochlear Implantation: It takes a village” will emphasize the importance of a team approach in the management of adult and pediatric CI patients and provide attendees with opportunities to explore current and emerging topics that impact CI outcomes for patients across the lifespan. Expanded indications and management of special needs populations (adults and children) will be explored.  Cognition, vestibular assessment, surgical approaches, and therapy are also to be emphasized.

With this conference, we are transitioning to a new process utilizing a national Scientific Program Committee of CI clinicians, researchers, and educators to lead development of the program.  The committee has already begun their work. At their suggestion, we encourage abstracts addressing how cochlear implantation can continue to be provided during the COVID pandemic timeframe without sacrificing care.  We are especially interested in scientific papers on telehealth.

VIEW the agenda for ACI Alliance Organizational updateS


Virtual Exhibit Hall

VIEW THE CUrrent exhibitors and industry partners

CI2021 will include a virtual exhibit hall for attendees to visit throughout the conference. Virtual exhibit booths will include graphics, videos, text descriptions, links to external webpages, and the ability to chat with exhibitors and ask questions.
 
Attendees will visit virtual booths by clicking each exhibiting company’s logo in a virtual exhibit hall via the virtual conference platform. Each exhibitor’s booth will contain unique information on their company and products.  We encourage attendees to show their support and visit as many as they can.


 

 

How the past shapes the future and what to do about it


Moderator: Howard W. Francis, MD, MBA, FACS; Richard Hall Chaney, Sr. Distinguished Professor of Otolaryngology Chair, Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Duke University Health System Dr. Howard Francis will lead a roundtable discussion amongst an interdisciplinary group of thought leaders about contemporary challenges to cochlear implant delivery and access. The group will then be challenged to suggest what strategies might be advanced to address healthcare vulnerabilities and societal attitudes.

 

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND HEARING HEALTH CARE: ADDRESSING EQUITY IN COCHLEAR IMPLANTATION

 Panel Moderator and Introduction: Matthew Bush MD/PhD

Panelists:

  • Sheree Sims: CI Coordinator/Outreach to African American Community, University of Cincinnati
  • Nicole Marrone PhD: Healthcare disparities in AZ Hispanic population
  • Jacob Hunter MD: Hearing Health Disparities, University of TX Southwestern
  • Carrie Nieman MD/MPH: Hearing Health in Older Americans, Johns Hopkins

 

IMPROVING CI ACCESS WITH SPANISH TEST BATTERY/KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Alejandro Rivas, MD /Case Western Reserve, University School of Medicine

 

NIPARKO MEMORIAL LECTURE: DEGENERATION AND REGENERATION OF THE INNER EAR

Konstantina Stankovic, MD/PhD, Harvard University Medical School

Nearly half a billion people in the world suffer from disabling hearing loss. The annual cost of unaddressed hearing loss is $790 billion globally. Most of this burden is due to sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) that typically originates from defects in the inner ear. Despite these staggering statistics, the cellular basis of human SNHL is unclear; consequently, available therapies are severely limited. First, we will discuss emerging imaging modalities that will accelerate our understanding of the cellular origins of human deafness. Next, we will outline how routine liquid biopsy of the inner ear will improve diagnosis and therapy of SNHL. Finally, we will demonstrate the promise of targeting specific molecular pathways to improve hearing.

 

(RE)HABILITATION CONNECT FORUM: FROM DATA TO DELIVERY: IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH-BASED INTERVENTION

Forum Coordinating Committee: Amy Birath AuD, LSLS Cert AVEd; Hannah Eskridge MSP, LSLS Cert AVT; Amy McConkey Robbins MS, LSLS Cert AVT

Click here for brochure

  • Segment One: The Complexities of Family-Centered Intervention: The Essential Need for Trauma-Informed Practice Carrie Neff MS, LPC-S, IMH-E; Darcy Stowe MS, LSLS Cert AVT
  • Segment Two: Maximizing Reading Potential: The Roles of Segmental and Suprasegmental Speech Perception for Successful Literacy Outcomes for Children Who Have Cochlear Implants Lisa Davidson PhD; Heather Grantham PhD
  • Segment Three: The Challenge of Transitioning to Life Beyond High School for Students who use Cochlear Implants Terry Zwolan PhD; Jennifer Still MHS, LSLS Cert. AVT

   

CLIMBING THE LADDER TO SUCCESS: AUDIOLOGY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT


Meredith Holcomb AuD (Moderator) with panelists Gabrielle Cager AuD, Rene Gifford PhD, Alejandra Ullauri AuD, William Shapiro AuD, and Terry Zwolan PhD

Audiologists often have limited mentorship throughout their career which can make the process of navigating the professional climb seem daunting and impossible. This session will address the need for mentorship in audiology and will outline potential challenges for achieving academic success. A panel of CI audiology experts will tell their stories of professional development and will answer questions from the audience. This is a unique opportunity for audiologists to learn from one another and develop potential mentor / mentee relationships.

 

SOCIAL HOUR WITH MUSICIAN AND CI RECIPIENT RICHARD REED

 
  After the close of Thursday afternoon sessions (May 29) at 5:30, grab your family for an entertaining intermezzo with Rhode Island Music Hall of Famer Richard Reed: Embracing Your Inner Distortion: A CI Musician Plays and Demonstrates. Richard will share his experiences and play, demonstrating how getting a CI changed the way he played and listened to music. His music career included playing Hammond organ with Junior Walker & the All Stars and many other R&B, Blues, and Rock and Roll artists.

 

Hearing Aid Specialists Workshop

Saturday May 1; 1:00 PM EST

Do you know of hearing aid specialists who may wish to learn more about when to refer patients for a CI evaluation? This 2-hour virtual workshop includes access to the CI2021 Virtual exhibit area and is designed for hearing aid specialists. We will share and engage on up-to-date clinical practice that attendees may immediately apply to improve services provided to patients. Attendees will be able to pose questions via text messaging on the conference platform.

Click here for a brochure with more information.

Click here to register today!

 


Saturday May 1; 12:30 PM EST

Join us for a Virtual Workshop and Exhibit Area for Parents, Adults and Family Members who have, or are exploring, Cochlear Implants. The workshop is offered by American Cochlear Implant Alliance, a unique national organization devoted to cochlear implant access through research, advocacy and awareness. Attend the live virtual event on May 1, 2021 at 1230 PM EST. Questions from attendees for presenters to be submitted through chat.

Click here for a brochure with more information.

Click here to register today!

 

 

Student Scholarships are offered annually by the American Cochlear Implant Alliance for these meetings. Scholarships are intended for full-time students, fellows and postdoctoral scholars who have a clinical or research interest in cochlear implants. Awards will include registration to the virtual meeting and a one-year student membership in ACI Alliance.

Thank you to all that participated. We had an overwhelming response, with amazing applicants. Click here to see the list of recipients.

 


Why Virtual? 

Due to the continuing spread of the COVID virus and the impossibility of providing a safe in-person venue for our attendees, the ACI Alliance Board of Directors was forced to make the decision to hold our annual cochlear implant meeting in an entirely virtual format. While we will miss the excitement of meeting in person with colleagues and friends from around the US and beyond, we believe that this is the only viable option for us at this time. Please plan now to attend the conference virtually during the same dates when you would have been in Dallas for CI2021 (April 28-May 1, 2021). We will publish the final schedule for the conference when it is available. This year’s conference will cover cochlear implantation in adults and children. The theme is "Cochlear Implantation: It takes a village."

Where Can I See Program Details? 

The full scientific program can be viewed here. Topics include: telehealth, surgical issues, (re)habilitation across the lifespan, psychosocial considerations, hearing preservation, cognition effects, CI in the future and much more.

When are Abstract Submissions for Podium & Poster Presentations Due? 

Letters regarding submission will go out late January. To remain on the program, presenters need to register for the conference in the appropriate category within two weeks of when the letters are sent. We will have a poster component and will be using an ePoster format.

This year, for the first time, our program will be determined by the newly-formed CI Conferences Program Committee. They are excited about moving forward with their work and planning the usual cutting-edge content we offer at our CI meetings. We are grateful to them for their commitment and flexibility in this uncertain time. You can view their membe rship here: https://www.acialliance.org/page/CommitteeDescription

Will Student Scholarships Be Offered? 

Student scholarship recipients will be announced the last week of January.

Will the Student ePoster Competition Continue?

We will continue to have a student ePoster competition.

Where/How Do I Register?

The conference registration site is open. Registration fees are less than that for the in-person meetings we have had in the recent past. Members of ACI Alliance receive a significant discount. Early bird rates will end March 24th. Ensure that your membership is current and let our membership staff know if you need help. Jessica Houk: jhouk@acialliance.org or Laura Odato: lodato@acialliance.org. The conference website is open and is here: www.CI2021.org

Will CEUs Be Offered?

We will offer CEU and CME from the same providers that have been offered in the past and the opportunity for CEUs will be similar or even greater. The sessions will be available for 30 days to view at your leisure.

 

The mission of the American Cochlear Implant (ACI) Alliance is to advance access to the gift of hearing provided by cochlear implantation through research, advocacy and awareness.