Listening is a vehicle for us to share information on cochlear implants and hearing loss with hearing healthcare providers, adult CI recipients (and those exploring CI), parents and family members interested in CI, educators who work with deaf and hard of hearing children, and anyone wanting to learn more about cochlear implants. 

ACI Alliance is a not-for-profit organization created with the purpose of eliminating barriers to cochlear implantation by sponsoring research, driving heightened awareness and advocating for improved access to cochlear implants for people of all ages. There is a wealth of information on our website. 

Our work at ACI Alliance follows our mission encompassing research, advocacy, and awareness. Accordingly, Listening covers all three.

We encourage you to share sign-up details for this free e-newsletter with patients, family members, colleagues or anyone who may be interested.

Dr. Nancy Young

ACI Alliance is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Nancy M. Young to deliver the annual Niparko Memorial Lecture at CI2025 Boston, on “Language Prediction to Improve Outcomes for Children with Cochlear Implants.” The Niparko lecture was established to recognize Dr. John K. Niparko’s enduring commitment to cochlear implant research and clinical care and honor his significant contributions to the field.

ACI Alliance recently launched a new blog, Ask the Audiologist. Drs. Melissa Hall and Cache Pitt answer questions from individuals with cochlear implants, parents of children with cochlear implants, and people with hearing loss wondering how the cochlear implant process works. Please share the blog and submit a question.

The Listeningè Languageè Literacy initiative resulted in the development of an infographic designed to be widely used in supporting families of children who are deaf and hard of hearing and the professionals who serve them. This Japanese translation joins the English and Spanish versions of this important infographic that is being used around the world.

Sarah Mowry, MD, is the first physician to hold the Cliff A. Megerian, MD, Chair. Dr. Mowry is Vice Chair of Education and Residency Program Director for the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at UH Cleveland Medical Center. She holds the title of Professor of Otolaryngology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. During her tenure, she has expanded and strengthened the renowned UH Otolaryngology training program, added CME symposiums, added fellowships, clinical research fellow infrastructure and evolved faculty development. Dr. Mowry was one of ACI Alliance's first State Champions.

The 2025 Listen CI Camp Scholarship Application is currently available through November 15. Registration opens January 24, 2025, at 10:00am (MST).

Event Details:

Register for the launch of the Ear and Hearing Care (EHC) Status Report at the African Summit on Hearing Impairment (ASHI) 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The WHO Regional Office for Africa conducted a regional-level situation analysis using an abbreviated digital WHO EHC situational analysis tool in 2022-23. The status report provides a comprehensive view of the EHC situation in the region and includes recommended actions as per the World Report on Hearing.

The launch will:
• highlight the findings of the situation analysis conducted in the African region;
• emphasize the urgent need to strengthen health systems for Ear and Hearing Care (EHC) in the region; and
• raise awareness of the challenges facing EHC and possible solutions

Young Jordy heads to summer camp and develops a deep bond with Lucas, a deaf boy who recently had cochlear implant surgery; their friendship becomes the driving force as the pitcher-catcher duo leads their baseball team to the championship game.

January 16, 2025 – January 18, 2025
8:00 AM-6:00 PM

Victoria University of Wellington Pipitea Campus
Wellington, New Zealand

The purpose of the Coalition for Global Hearing Health is to improve ear and hearing health and the lives of people who are deaf or hard of hearing, especially those in low- and middle- income communities.

Last week ACI Alliance submitted a formal request to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to expand the Medicare program’s coverage policy on cochlear implantation for individuals with post-linguistic sensorineural hearing loss. The organization submitted a formal Request for Reconsideration of Medicare coverage (a National Coverage Determination or NCD) based on the clinical presentation of the ear to be implanted. 

Our Take Action Alert page is how you can share your voice on issues that impact the cochlear implant and hearing loss community. As critical issues arise on the Federal and state level, you can click on each banner to swiftly share your concerns to the key policy makers.

As the population in the U.S. becomes more diverse, health care professionals have a responsibility to adapt their services to meet the needs of the diverse populations they serve. However, many providers lack access to the appropriate resources to provide high quality care to their Spanish-speaking patients. Audiology Services in Diverse Communities is a professional resource designed to decrease language barriers, improve patient-clinician interactions, and create more culturally competent hearing services.

A genetic diagnosis can empower families and individuals to make informed choices, foster connection with others in the community, and may provide valuable insights into medical management. Click below to see if you are eligible.

All articles published in JEHDI can also be downloaded for free at www.jehdi.usu.edu. The Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention is a scholarly, peer-reviewed, online publication dedicated to advancing Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) by publishing articles that describe current research, evidence-based practice, and standards of care.

Invited Commentary from JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery

Authored by Karen A. Gordon, PhD, CCC-A, Reg CASLPO; Blake C. Papsin, MD, MSc; Sharon L. Cushing, MD, MSc

This article is in response to Cochlear Implantation and Educational and Quality-of-Life Outcomes in Adolescence, by Ivette Cejas, PhD and colleagues. This type of clinical research is challenging because of the longtime course of follow-up and multiple measures required but is essential to document the influence that CIs have had on children throughout their development. There is reason to be optimistic about long-term outcome data still to come.