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.

Ruth Litovsky PhD has been selected to deliver the annual Niparko Memorial Lecture on “Successful Pathways to Outcomes in Bilateral Cochlear Implantation.”

Dr. Litovsky is the Oros Family chair in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She has a joint appointment in the Division of Otolaryngology in the Department of Surgery, and serves as the Academic Associate Dean for the Division of Natural, Physical & Mathematical Sciences in the College of Letters & Science.

Dr. Jill B. Firszt is Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and Director of the Cochlear Implant Program at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She is also Adjunct Professor in the Program in Audiology and Communication Sciences at Central Institute for the Deaf at Washington University.

Keynote address: Cochlear Implantation of Individuals with Asymmetric Hearing Loss and Single Sided Deafness: Results, Expectations and Gaps in Knowledge.

Registration opens January 26, 2024. This camp promotes CI families sharing connection, friendship, and education in a fun filled 4-day weekends hosted at the YMCA of the Rockies - Estes Park, CO.

June 27-30, 2024 for CI Recipients Entering 5th Grade - 2024 High School Graduates along with their parents & siblings.

As of January 1, 2024, South Carolina Medicaid has extended coverage of cochlear implants to include adults. ACI Alliance State Champions have worked hard on this issue in South Carolina and a number of other states as well.  Please visit our website for more information.

Jumpstart 2024 with Genetics and Hearing Loss

Don’t miss this two-part, 8-week-long learning series focused on genetics. This intermediate-level course offers comprehensive coverage of genetics and hearing loss. Part one navigates through the fundamental concepts of cell and molecular biology and human genetics with an emphasis on the genetic underpinning of hearing loss. Part two will look at the genetic basis of hearing loss with a particular focus on pediatric populations.

Interested in state-of-the-art clinical knowledge that facilitates gold standard pediatric audiology services necessary for children with hearing loss to achieve optimal LSL outcomes? Courses from Hearing First are designed to meet an intermediate to advanced learning level and provide takeaways that will elevate the standards of care. Stay on the forefront of innovation and research with evidence-based courses and access to some top thought leaders in their field.

Learning is offered at no cost, with CE credits from AAA, ASHA, and AG Bell available. With self-study options and live online courses, there’s no limit to the learning possibilities.  

Read Veterans' Stories 

Veterans receive a FREE lifetime membership to ACI Alliance.

As part of its mission of expanding access to cochlear implantation for individuals who may benefit, American Cochlear Implant Alliance CI clinicians are collaborating with the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase awareness about CI candidacy in the general population as well as benefits for veterans receiving hearing services within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Your email should include the following information about the survey that you wish for us to publish:

1. Survey title
2. Brief paragraph about the survey
3. Audience if there is a specific audience (i.e., audiologist, surgeon, speech pathologist, educator, psychologist, researcher, etc.).
4. Link to the completed survey (allowing us to review the survey in advance)

Twice every year—in February and in August—we solicit and electronically distribute surveys that have been submitted by members. This has resulted in valuable publications, presentations at our meetings, and improvements in clinic services.

If you wish to take advantage of this opportunity for February 2024, send an email with the following information no later than Friday, January 27th, to our executive director Donna Sorkin;  dsorkin@acialliance.org. 

The study investigated the reasons CI candidates sometimes decline surgery. While demographic factors were included, a patient's race might be more of a factor on whether or not the patients decide to get implanted.