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.

Get ready for an action-packed four-day event that you won’t want to miss! From cutting-edge research sessions, rehabilitation connect forum, to special interest lunches and a field trip to MEEI Lab, plus exploring the vibrant culture of the city, there’s something for everyone.

(Re)Habilitation Connect Forum at CI2025 Boston | Guiding Intervention in Cochlear Implant Care for Children and Adults

Topics:

▪ Cochlear Implants in single-sided deafness and asymmetric hearing loss

▪ Cochlear Implants when deafness exists with one or more concomitant conditions

Student Scholarship Recipients

This year’s scholarship recipients are certain to contribute importantly at the conference and throughout their careers, and we look forward to welcoming them to CI2025 Boston. Click here for a full list of scholarship winners.

ACI Alliance will continue our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to provide support and networking opportunities for four groups. Sign up for one (or more!) here. 

A Workshop for Early Intervention and Educational Professionals
Offered by American Cochlear Implant Alliance in Collaboration with Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech

Matthew Bush MD, PhD, MBA, Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Kentucky, was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award. This award was established in 1996 and is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers early in their careers. Dr. Bush serves on the Board of Directors of the American Cochlear Implant Alliance. Congratulations!

Dr. Bruce Gantz will receive the ACI Alliance 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Opening Session of CI2025 Boston. The Lifetime Achievement award recognizes the contributions over the whole of a career and for the work and accomplishments of the individual being recognized.

Cochlear has been named the #1 Most Trustworthy Healthcare Company in the World by Newsweek. The list of World's Most Trustworthy Companies recognizes companies in 23 different industries from 20 different countries. Click below to see the full listing. 

EHDI practices (PEP) materials have been developed and are available. PEP materials are short, digestible overviews or checklists for providers and parents based on the 2019 Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) statement. 

The new materials include:
• A parent page on “hearing devices”
• A parent page on “family support”
• A video for parents about “hearing devices”
• A video for parents about “risk factors” for hearing loss

A bill that could limit family choice and add additional, conflicting steps to early intervention programs for children has been introduced in Oregon. ACI Alliance will continue to track this bill and support efforts to educate state legislators. 

Legislation to expand hearing technology for adults beneficiaries of Medicaid has been reintroduced in Missouri. Last year, efforts came very close to passing but time ran out. Bills have been introduced in both Chambers, and the House Committee on Health recently held a successful hearing. ACI Alliance will continue to track these bills and encourage our Missouri members to consider joining the efforts. If you are interested in participating in Advocacy Day on February 4th, please RSVP via the link.

In January, Governor DeWine, in Ohio, held a ceremonial signing of Madeline’s Law. Madeline's Law, which was first introduced by then-Representative Weinstein and Representative Allison Russo in 2019, will require insurance companies to cover hearing aids for minors under 21 years of age. We are excited to highlight the remarkable involvement of our very own state champion, Carrier Spangler, in this fantastic effort.

This second edition text will provide updated information to professionals and students in fields relevant to cochlear implantation. The main objective of this book is to provide the latest information about pediatric candidacy evaluation, medical and vestibular evaluation, surgery, language and literacy outcomes, habilitation, spatial hearing, influence of family dynamics and educational needs. 

Extended frequency pure tones resulted in greater sensitivity in predicting CI candidates compared with the traditionally used low frequency pure tone average. Screening with wider frequency values will lead to a greater number of patients being identified for a cochlear implant evaluation.

Sage publishes practical clinical articles highlighting scientific research relevant to clinical care, and case reports that describe unusual entities or innovative approaches to treatment and case management of ENT. 

Featured Articles:

▶ Adult Simultaneous Cochlear Implantation: Local Anesthesia 

▶ A Literature Review on Cochlear Implant Activation: From Weeks to Hours 

▶ Retrospective Analysis of Cerebrospinal Gushers in Cochlear Implant Surgery: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes—A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis