Cochlear Implant Clinical Research Symposia (Three Years) Covering the Years 2024 through 2026

Project Summary/Abstract This application seeks partial funding for three years of cochlear implant (CI) clinical research conferences to be convened by the American Cochlear Implant Alliance in July 2024 (Vancouver, Canada), April 2025 (Boston) and May 2026 (Washington, DC). The CI meetings provide a unique opportunity for CI clinicians from across the continuum of care (i.e., ENTs, audiologists, speech pathologists, psychologists), educators, and scientists to learn together. With the rapid rate of change in the field and concerns on how to manage the growing number of new recipients with expanded indications, alongside of an installed base of patients who must be cared for over their lifetime, conference interests have expanded to include research to practice topics on serving this population in a challenging and changing healthcare environment. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore current and emerging topics that significantly impact CI outcomes and delivery mechanisms for patients across the lifespan. Podium presentations, panel discussions, featured talks, and posters will highlight clinical research on: team approach to patient management including expanded indications of special needs populations; cognitive impacts of CI in older adults; managing bilingual patients and families; innovative models of service delivery for CI programs (including telehealth); roles of therapy, education, and family engagement in the CI process for adults and children; advances in CI technology and surgical techniques; hearing preservation; CI in single sided deafness, role of vestibular assessment in the CI process; and gene therapy, genetics, and alternative methods of managing hearing loss. The impact of the whole team in the CI process will be examined. This aim is unique to this conference and will provide an in-depth critical assessment of the various factors that impact on outcomes for patients across the lifespan. As adults of all ages have become a larger proportion of the cochlear implant population, our focus will address the diversity and needs of the adult population, alongside of children. Students may apply for waived registration and financial support and may enter a student poster competition with interviews conducted by an interdisciplinary committee. An afternoon symposium for (re)habilitation professionals and others on CI teams providing clinical or educational services to children and their families will be offered. Among the pediatric topics to be explored are listening and literacy and provision of CI in single sided deafness. Adult rehabilitation post CI will address adults’ specific needs. Research and clinical practice will be explored for both populations.