Listening @ ACI Alliance | March 2025
Listening @ ACI Alliance

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.

CI2025 Boston | Early Bird Registration Closes March 12

Early Bird rates will be available through March 12, 2025. Don't miss these cost-saving rates by waiting to register.

CI2025 Boston will be held In-Person. Registration includes:

  • Access to the Scientific Program Sessions
  • Access to CEU/CME Credit Claiming
  • Symposia Materials
  • Thursday and Friday Lunches
  • Thursday Welcome Reception
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Visit the Amazon booth at CI2025 Boston to learn more about their hearing accessibility efforts! The Amazon Fire TV Cube supports audio streaming for select compatible Bluetooth hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other devices for a private listening experience.

Learn more about Amazon accessibility efforts including captioning, dialogue boost, and more.

Scientific Program Released
The CI2025 Boston Program Committee has released the scientific program. Plan your sessions below. 
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Keynote Speaker Paul H Van De Heyning MD, PhD

Talk Title: Single-Sided Deafness and Frequency Allocation in Cochlear Implantation

Paul Van de Heyning is emeritus professor and former dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of the University of Antwerp and consultant and former chairman of the University dept. of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery of the Antwerp University Hospital (UZA). 
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Awareness

Do you have a question for an audiologist? Ask here!
Submit your Question
Ask the Audiologist | Blog
Our question this month is "Will I be able to understand speech in different environments after getting a cochlear implant?" Find out the answer to this and other questions answered by our audiologists by clicking below.
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Wednesday April 30, 2025 | Omni Boston Seaport Hotel | 450 Summer St, Boston
Supporting Children Who are Deaf & Hard of Hearing to Maximize Language Learning with 21st Century Hearing Technology

This workshop is designed for education and early intervention professionals with limited knowledge about the differences between cochlear implants and hearing aids, how to support children with hearing to maximize language learning with technology, and transitioning children from early intervention or preschool to the mainstream. CEUs will be offered and attendees will receive a complimentary membership in ACI Alliance.

Register Here
2025 AudiologyOnline Webinars presented in partnership with ACI Alliance
Registration is open for the March AudiologyOnline and ACI Alliance Webinars
Early Hearing Detection & Intervention 101 Wednesday, March 19 @ 12PM
Barriers to Enrolling Children with Hearing Loss in Early Intervention Wednesday, March 26 @ 12PM
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Cochlear Implants in Infants and Young Children | FAQs
Children FAQs – Visit this page to learn about candidacy and pediatric therapy for infants and children.
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Career Center | Find or Post a Job

Have a position to fill at your organization? Post your job and reach qualified candidates who are seeking employment in a field associated with cochlear implants. To post a job, you must either be an organizational member, or you can purchase a posting.

Explore some of the job opportunities in the field of cochlear implants that are available now and use this system to apply for an open position. This resource is open access.  

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Cordelia and Me by Kallyn Long

Almost three years ago 16 year-old Kallyn Long faced an unexpected challenge—a roller coaster journey that ultimately led to her losing hearing in her left ear. She was diagnosed with Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct (EVA) and received a cochlear implant. Kallyn has continued to be active in dancing, singing, running, and recently won the title of Miss South Carolina High School America. Kallyn is also an author—she recently wrote and published, Cordelia and Me, a book that carries the powerful message: “Don’t judge a book by its cover—there’s ability in every disability.” 

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Read All Accomplishments
2024 ACI Alliance Accomplishments Highlights

We are excited to publish a listing of our major 2024 Organizational Accomplishments. Our membership, Board of Directors, and hard-working staff were critical to our work and our successes. Of special note are the individuals who serve as ACI Alliance State Champions and step up to address issues at the state and national levels. We wish to thank and acknowledge support from our industry partners who have steadfastly backed our work to advance CI awareness, research, and advocacy. We are proud that you have chosen to be part of our organization. After reviewing our progress, please let us know if you would like to get more involved in ACI Alliance. 

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CIICA’S 4th Birthday & International CI Day: Young Adults with Cochlear Implants Launch their Agenda
This new stakeholders’ group, the first to receive hearing through cochlear implants as children, are now entering higher education and the world of work. See their recommendations for the provision of lifelong services, increased accessibility and public awareness.
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International Cochlear Implant Day February 25
Cochlear implants are a life-changing intervention for babies, children, and adults. ACI Alliance's mission is to increase access and decrease barriers to CIs for everyone who may benefit.

For CIDay2025 we are sharing some of our most popular resources, click below.
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Advocacy

Action Alert | Protect Medicaid

There are proposals to severely cut funding for Medicaid. Such cuts would have a detrimental impact on many in the cochlear implant community. The below Action Alert will allow you to send an email, tweet at, and/or call your Members of Congress to ask them to protect Medicaid.

Action Alert
Missouri House Passed Medicaid Expansion Bill 

The Missouri House passed legislation on February 26 to expand CI Coverage to adult Medicaid beneficiaries. The bill passed with strong bipartisan support. A concurrent bill is also moving through the Senate. ACI Alliance submitted comments in support of the legislation. 

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Comments and Testimony
ACI Alliance submits comments to federal agencies and testimony to state legislatures and Congress relating to issues surrounding access to cochlear implants. We most recently wrote to support SB317 which restores coverage for cochlear implants and hearing aids for adults under Missouri Medicaid. With passage of the bill, Missouri would join the majority of States that offer this life-changing intervention for adults. ACI Alliance Supports Missouri Efforts to Expand Medicaid CI Coverage to Adults 
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Coalition for Global Hearing Health (CGHH)

15th Coalition for Global Hearing Health Conference takes place on October 24 & 25, 2025 (pre-conference sessions 23rd) at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Charlestown/Boston, Massachusetts, USA with the theme – Working For Global Access for ALL. Abstract submission and registration for this event will open in April.

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Research

MUSC to lead way in trial involving totally under-the-skin cochlear implants
The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) will be the first clinical trial site in the country to test a new kind of cochlear implant for adults with hearing loss. Teddy McRackan, MD, medical director of the MUSC Health Cochlear Implant Program is leading MUSC’s part of the trial.
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Like what you’ve seen? There is no obligation to join to continue receiving Listening but if you wish to be more involved in ACI Alliance, explore the opportunities for membership.
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Sponsors

P.O. Box 103 | McLean, VA 22101-0103 | Phone: 703.534.6146
Website: https://www.acialliance.org 
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.