Advertise on podcast: Beyond the Decibels

In this episode of Beyond the Decibels, Bob Hendry and new co-host Ginger Grant are joined by Dr. Lisa Park, Dr. Jourdan Holder and Dr. Andrea Warner-Czyz to discuss CI 360, a pediatric cochlear implant referral guideline designed to support more consistent, confident identification of children who may benefit from a cochlear implant evaluation. The conversation explores why timely referrals matter, how clinicians can use objective referral triggers in practice and ways to counsel families using an audibility-focused, hope-filled approach. For more information and resources, check out the links below:  Pediatric CI 3-60 Guideline: When to Refer Children for a Cochlear Implant  Candidacy Evaluation CI:Path Website Jourdan Holder, AuD, PhD, is the Senior Director of Audiology and Research at Hearts for Hearing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In this role, she provides clinical and research leadership across audiology services with a focus on advancing evidence-based care and improving outcomes for children and adults with hearing loss. Prior to joining Hearts for Hearing, Dr. Holder served as Director of the Cochlear Implant Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she provided cochlear implant care, taught graduate-level audiology courses, and led a comprehensive clinical and research program. Dr. Holder’s research focuses on improving speech perception and quality-of-life outcomes for cochlear implant recipients with particular attention to expanding access to cochlear implant technology for non-traditional pediatric candidates. Her work has contributed to more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and has been presented at national and international scientific meetings. She is also a faculty member for the Institute for Cochlear Implant Training Advanced Audiology Course and serves as a Section Editor for the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology. Dr. Lisa Park is an Associate Professor and Division Chief of the Children's Cochlear Implant Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a Master of Science in Speech and Hearing from Washington University in St. Louis and a Doctorate in Audiology from The University of Florida. Her clinical research focuses on expanding cochlear implant indications for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and optimizing outcomes for non-traditional pediatric cochlear implant recipients. Dr. Andrea Warner-Czyz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas. Her research centers on how young children who are deaf or hard of hearing using cochlear implants develop, from speech and language to perception to quality of life. She focuses on early markers of performance and employs a multifactorial approach incorporating both audiological and non-audiological factors to identify children at risk for poorer outcomes in communication or quality of life. Additionally, she has published several papers outlining criteria for referral for cochlear implant candidacy evaluation to support improved outcomes in children who are deaf or hard of hearing. If you enjoyed this episode, please press the subscribe button, give us a rating and a review. We’d love to hear from you. Beyond the Decibels is a podcast brought to you by Cochlear North America. Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, offering innovative products like cochlear implants and bone conduction systems. Cochlear technology helps people of all ages reconnect with sound and live fuller, more connected lives. Learn more at www.cochlear.com The views of the interviewees in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily represent the view of Cochlear North America and Cochlear Limited. This material is meant for health professionals – if you’re a consumer please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss.  Outcomes may vary and a health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome.

Welcome to Beyond the Decibels, brought to you by Cochlear North America. Today we’re joined by Dr. Lisa Goldin, Senior Audiologist at NYU Langone Health. She shares key considerations for clinics and applicants in the fellowship process, and the qualities her team looks for in strong candidates - including what they call the “hangability factor." You'll also hear her perspective on how the fellowship experience is evolving.  Click here to learn more about ACEN (Audiology Clinical Education Network) Lisa Goldin, Ph.D., is the Supervising Audiologist at the NYU Cochlear Implant Center, where she works with both pediatric and adult cochlear implant recipients. With nearly 24 years of experience as a cochlear implant audiologist, she brings extensive clinical expertise and a long-standing commitment to helping patients benefit from auditory technologies. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Goldin is an adjunct professor in the Doctor of Audiology program at the City University of New York, where she teaches a course focused on cochlear implants.  She also serveson the CI Conference Program Committee for the American Cochlear Implant Alliance (ACIA). In her spare time, she enjoys teaching mahjong, attending live music events, and traveling with her family. If you enjoyed this episode, please press the subscribe button, give us a rating and a review. We’d love to hear from you. Beyond the Decibels is a podcast brought to you by Cochlear North America. Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, offering innovative products like cochlear implants and bone conduction systems. Cochlear technology helps people of all ages reconnect with sound and live fuller, more connected lives. Learn more at www.cochlear.com The views of the interviewees in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily represent the view of Cochlear North America and Cochlear Limited. This material is meant for health professionals – if you’re a consumer please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss.  Outcomes may vary and a health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome.

In this episode, Bob Hendry and Wendy Potts reconnect with Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and Listening & Spoken Language Specialist Jamy Claire Archer to explore how auditory-verbal therapy helps children and adults with hearing loss build listening and spoken-language skills. They share memorable therapy moments, explain what comprehensive care looks like (from device checks to family coaching), and discuss how strong audiology–SLP collaboration can expand access—especially in rural communities. *Jamy Claire Archer is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of South Carolina; she received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Purdue University.  Jamy Claire is an internationally Certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialist, Clinical Voice Specialist, and LSVT and SpeakOut! Trained. Jamy Claire uses this expertise to direct and perform in award-winning acapella choruses and serve on the international faculty for Sweet Adelines International promoting vocal education for singers around the world. If you enjoyed this episode, please press the subscribe button, give us a rating and a review. We’d love to hear from you. Beyond the Decibels is a podcast brought to you by Cochlear North America. Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, offering innovative products like cochlear implants and bone conduction systems. Cochlear technology helps people of all ages reconnect with sound and live fuller, more connected lives. Learn more at www.cochlear.com The views of the interviewees in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily represent the view of Cochlear North America and Cochlear Limited. This material is meant for health professionals – if you’re a consumer please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss.  Outcomes may vary and a health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome.

Welcome to Beyond the Decibels, sponsored by Cochlear North America. Today we’re chatting with Dr. René Gifford about how cochlear implant care is changing and why the new Cochlear Care Consensus was developed. She discusses why this collaborative effort is important, what it means for clinical decision‑making and how it can help patients achieve their full hearing potential. For more information on the Cochlear Care Consensus, visit ProNews. *René Gifford, PhD, is Chief of Audiology and Research at Hearts for Hearing in Oklahoma City as well as co-CEO of the clinical board of directors for the Institute for Cochlear Implant Training (ICIT), and Director of the ICIT Advanced Audiology Course (AAC). Her research has been NIH funded for over 20 years and focuses on combined electric and acoustic stimulation (EAS) with particular emphasis on speech & music perception, spatial hearing, and development of speech, language, and literacy for children with hearing loss. She has authored over 170 peer-reviewed publications, two books, and multiple book chapters in the field of cochlear implants and auditory (re)habilitation. **Remote Check for Nucleus Sound Processors is approved for all ages, however certain tests are not suitable for ages below 6. Remote Check does not replace clinical care and does not involve remote programming of the sound processor. Remote Assist for Nucleus sound processors is approved for ages 6 and older. Remote Check and Remote Assist features are only visible and accessible if they are enabled by a clinician. Clinicians should consider the suitability of the feature before enabling Remote Check and Remote Assist. Only available at clinics that have enrolled in Remote Care. If you enjoyed this episode, please press the subscribe button, give us a rating and a review. We’d love to hear from you. Beyond the Decibels is a podcast brought to you by Cochlear North America. Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, offering innovative products like cochlear implants and bone conduction systems. Cochlear technology helps people of all ages reconnect with sound and live fuller, more connected lives. Learn more at www.cochlear.com The views of the interviewees in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily represent the view of Cochlear North America and Cochlear Limited. This material is meant for health professionals – if you’re a consumer please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss.  Outcomes may vary and a health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome.

Welcome to Beyond the Decibels, brought to you by Cochlear Americas. Today we are wrapping up our 2-part series on untreated hearing loss. For this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Kevin Zhan who will discuss the importance of hearing health, the new clinical practice guidelines for age-related hearing loss and where wearable tech fits in. We’ll also explore why hearing loss doesn’t just affect your ears—it can impact many aspects of your overall well-being—and why Dr. Zhan is optimistic about the future of hearing health. To learn more about the Hearing Number, check out these links:  Get Involved - Hearing Number For Health Professionals - Hearing Number *Dr. Kevin Zhan is an Assistant Professor of Otology & Neurotology and Lateral Skull Base Surgery at Northwestern Medicine and Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, where he leads the Northwestern Medicine Cochlear Implant Program. His work centers on expanding access to high-quality hearing care and building Northwestern Medicine cochlear implant program.  He trained in Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery at The Ohio State University and completed advanced fellowship training in Otology, Neurotology, and Skull Base Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis. He also completed a dedicated research fellowship in large dataset and outcomes research at the Medical University of South Carolina.  Nationally, he contributes to the American Cochlear Implant Alliance and the Hearing Health Collaborative, and previously chaired the Section for Residents and Fellows within the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. If you enjoyed this episode, please press the subscribe button, give us a rating and a review. We’d love to hear from you. Beyond the Decibels is a podcast brought to you by Cochlear North America. Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, offering innovative products like cochlear implants and bone conduction systems. Cochlear technology helps people of all ages reconnect with sound and live fuller, more connected lives. Learn more at www.cochlear.com The views of the interviewees in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily represent the view of Cochlear North America and Cochlear Limited. This material is meant for health professionals – if you’re a consumer please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss.  Outcomes may vary and a health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome.

Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Decibels, brought to you by Cochlear North America. This episode is the first of a 2-part series, where we’ll explore the growing number of untreated hearing loss cases in the U.S., the broader health and societal costs and the impact on individual wellbeing. As leading researchers in this space, Dr. Jennifer Deal and Dr. Ashley Nassiri will share insights on hearing loss as a public health issue, its comorbidities and the importance of unified efforts to raise awareness and improve access—especially through the use of a simple, scalable metric: the Hearing Number.  To learn more about the Hearing Number, check out these additional resources:  Hearing Number - Get Involved Hearing Number - For Professionals Ashley Nassiri, MD, MBA is an assistant professor of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She is the director of the Cochlear Implant program, and her research focuses on improving access to hearing health care.   Jennifer A. Deal is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins University, and the Interim Director of the Johns Hopkins Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health, a first-in-kind research center dedicated to training a generation of clinicians and researchers to understand and address the impact of hearing loss on older adults and public health. She leads research dedicated to improving the health and well-being of older adults, with a focus on brain aging, sensory health, and disability across the life-course. She also co-leads the SENSE Network), an international network of researchers building the infrastructure to support research on sensory health and cognitive health and wellbeing in older adults. If you enjoyed this episode, please press the subscribe button, give us a rating and a review. We’d love to hear from you. Beyond the Decibels is a podcast brought to you by Cochlear North America. Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, offering innovative products like cochlear implants and bone conduction systems. Cochlear technology helps people of all ages reconnect with sound and live fuller, more connected lives. Learn more at www.cochlear.com The views of the interviewees in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily represent the view of Cochlear North America and Cochlear Limited. This material is meant for health professionals – if you’re a consumer please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss.  Outcomes may vary and a health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome.

In this episode of Beyond the Decibels, we sit down with Dr. Michael Hoa, neurotologist at MedStar Health and Professor of Otolaryngology at Georgetown University. Dr. Hoa opens up about his unexpected passion for cooking, and dives into the art and science of intraoperative cochlear implant testing. He discusses how rapid advancements in technology are reshaping surgical protocols and shares why lifelong learning remains essential in today’s evolving medical landscape. Dr. Hoa also offers his perspective on the future—hair cell regeneration, gene therapy and what might be possible in the years ahead. Listen now to hear Dr. Hoa’s full insights and join the conversation shaping tomorrow’s care. If you enjoyed this episode, please press the subscribe button, give us a rating and a review. We’d love to hear from you. Beyond the Decibels is a podcast brought to you by Cochlear North America. Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, offering innovative products like cochlear implants and bone conduction systems. Cochlear technology helps people of all ages reconnect with sound and live fuller, more connected lives. Learn more at www.cochlear.com The views of the interviewees in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily represent the view of Cochlear North America and Cochlear Limited. This material is meant for health professionals – if you’re a consumer please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss.  Outcomes may vary and a health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome.

Welcome to Beyond the Decibels, the podcast where clinical expertise meets auditory innovation. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Charles Limb, a distinguished otolaryngologist, neuroscientist, and TED Talk speaker whose work is shaping our understanding of how the brain processes music in individuals with cochlear implants. While cochlear implants have dramatically improved speech perception for many patients, music remains a uniquely challenging domain. Dr. Limb explains why music, with its intricate layers of pitch, harmony, rhythm, and emotional nuance, is fundamentally different from speech, and why some cochlear implant users struggle significantly with music perception while others adapt more successfully. Drawing from both clinical experience and neuroscience research, Dr. Limb shares practical strategies that clinicians can use to help patients self-train and improve their music appreciation over time. To check out Dr. Limb's Ted Talks, visit these links: Ted Talk: Your brain on improv Ted Talk: Building the musical muscle If you enjoyed this episode, please press the subscribe button, give us a rating and a review. We’d love to hear from you. Beyond the Decibels is a podcast brought to you by Cochlear North America. Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, offering innovative products like cochlear implants and bone conduction systems. Cochlear technology helps people of all ages reconnect with sound and live fuller, more connected lives. Learn more at www.cochlear.com The views of the interviewees in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily represent the view of Cochlear North America and Cochlear Limited. This material is meant for health professionals – if you’re a consumer please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss.  Outcomes may vary and a health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome.

Welcome to Beyond the Decibels! In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Meredith Holcomb to talk about how her clinic is streamlining care for hearing implant patients. She shares how the University of Miami's “whole clinic” approach improves coordination and workflow, increases accessibility and helps patients get to implantation faster. You'll also get to hear practical tips from her for other clinics looking to do the same. To view Dr. Holcomb's research, click here. If you enjoyed this episode, please press the subscribe button, give us a rating and a review. We’d love to hear from you. Beyond the Decibels is a podcast brought to you by Cochlear North America. Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, offering innovative products like cochlear implants and bone conduction systems. Cochlear technology helps people of all ages reconnect with sound and live fuller, more connected lives. Learn more at www.cochlear.com The views of the interviewees in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily represent the view of Cochlear North America and Cochlear Limited. This material is meant for health professionals – if you’re a consumer please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss.  Outcomes may vary and a health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome.

Welcome to Beyond the Decibels, the podcast where clinical insight meets innovation in hearing healthcare. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Matt Shew, neurotologist at Washington University in St. Louis, whose research is pushing the boundaries of cochlear implant candidacy and outcome prediction. For decades, candidacy has been determined using standardized protocols—effective, but limited in their ability to account for the complex, individualized factors that influence post-implant performance. Dr. Shew is pioneering the research and use of machine learning to address this gap. We’ll explore how these AI-driven models are being trained on large datasets to help improve preoperative counseling, guide clinical decision-making, and ultimately enhance patient-specific care. To check out the research referenced in this podcast, visit this link: Machine Learning Feasibility in Cochlear Implant Speech Perception Outcomes-Moving Beyond Single Biomarkers for Cochlear Implant Performance Prediction If you enjoyed this episode, please press the subscribe button, give us a rating and a review. We’d love to hear from you. Beyond the Decibels is a podcast brought to you by Cochlear North America. Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, offering innovative products like cochlear implants and bone conduction systems. Cochlear technology helps people of all ages reconnect with sound and live fuller, more connected lives. Learn more at www.cochlear.com The views of the interviewees in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily represent the view of Cochlear North America and Cochlear Limited. This material is meant for health professionals – if you’re a consumer please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss.  Outcomes may vary and a health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome.

In this episode of Beyond the Decibels, we sit down with Dr. Kat Tribulski, a leading voice in gaming and sound processor connectivity, to explore how today’s technology is transforming the gaming experience for individuals with hearing loss. Kat shares how integrated audio streaming and accessory connectivity—especially in immersive games like her favorite, Baldur’s Gate—are allowing gamers with hearing loss to access richer, more inclusive experiences. Keep listening to hear a fresh perspective on how connectivity can extend beyond daily communication and into the world of entertainment and engagement. If you enjoyed this episode, please press the subscribe button, give us a rating and a review. We’d love to hear from you. Beyond the Decibels is a podcast brought to you by Cochlear North America. Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, offering innovative products like cochlear implants and bone conduction systems. Cochlear technology helps people of all ages reconnect with sound and live fuller, more connected lives. Learn more at www.cochlear.com The views of the interviewees in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily represent the view of Cochlear North America and Cochlear Limited. This material is meant for health professionals – if you’re a consumer please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss.  Outcomes may vary and a health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome.

Welcome to this episode of Beyond the Decibels. Today, we’re joined by Daisy Kent, a cochlear implant recipient and former contestant on The Bachelor. In this conversation, Daisy shares her experience adjusting to life with a cochlear implant - from the moment it was activated to the unexpected sounds she encountered along the way. Her story offers a candid look at the challenges and breakthroughs that come with hearing through a cochlear implant. Whether you're a clinician, a candidate, or just curious about cochlear implants, Daisy’s journey is a great reminder of the real-world impact of this work and why it matters. If you enjoyed this episode, please press the subscribe button, give us a rating and a review. We’d love to hear from you. Beyond the Decibels is a podcast brought to you by Cochlear North America. Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, offering innovative products like cochlear implants and bone conduction systems. Cochlear technology helps people of all ages reconnect with sound and live fuller, more connected lives. Learn more at www.cochlear.com The views of the interviewees in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily represent the view of Cochlear North America and Cochlear Limited. This material is meant for health professionals – if you’re a consumer please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss.  Outcomes may vary and a health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome.

Welcome to Season 2 of Beyond the Decibels! We are thrilled to kick off this season with the one and only, Dr. Bruce Gantz. Dr. Gantz is the recipient of the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Cochlear Implant Alliance, and is celebrated for pioneering cochlear implant surgery at the University of Iowa since 1980.  In this episode, he reflects on the evolution of cochlear implants, hybrid hearing*, and hearing preservation—sharing the breakthroughs, challenges, and future possibilities that continue to shape hearing science. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with one of the field’s true trailblazers. *The Hybrid L24 Implant is approved in the US for adults 18 and older for unilateral use only If you enjoyed this episode, please press the subscribe button, give us a rating and a review. We’d love to hear from you. Beyond the Decibels is a podcast brought to you by Cochlear North America. Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, offering innovative products like cochlear implants and bone conduction systems. Cochlear technology helps people of all ages reconnect with sound and live fuller, more connected lives. Learn more at www.cochlear.com The views of the interviewees in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily represent the view of Cochlear North America and Cochlear Limited. This material is meant for health professionals – if you’re a consumer please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss.  Outcomes may vary and a health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome.

In this episode of "Beyond the Decibels," we sit down with Sarah Sydlowski, AuD, PhD of the Cleveland Clinic to explore her unique journey and insights in the field of audiology and healthcare. Initially pre-dental in college, Sarah looked within to discover her true passions, leading her to a fulfilling career in audiology. As an Associate Chief Improvement Officer, she discusses how their clinic is delivering care differently and explains how they work to optimize the caregiver experience and enhance value through process improvement. Tune in to hear Dr. Sydlowski's inspiring story and learn how their innovative approaches are transforming the field of audiology. To access the resources mentioned in this this episode, use the links below: Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. Team Efficiency Course If you enjoyed this episode, please press the subscribe button, give us a rating and a review. We’d love to hear from you. Beyond the Decibels is a podcast brought to you by Cochlear North America. Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, offering innovative products like cochlear implants and bone conduction systems. Cochlear technology helps people of all ages reconnect with sound and live fuller, more connected lives. Learn more at www.cochlear.com The views of the interviewees in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily represent the view of Cochlear North America and Cochlear Limited. This material is meant for health professionals – if you’re a consumer please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss.  Outcomes may vary and a health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome.

"There’s a big difference between just speaking a language and understanding the culture.” In this episode, Dr. Ivette Cejas joins Wendy Potts and Robert Hendry to explore the intersection of psychology, audiology, and cultural competence in cochlear implant care. Listen in as Dr. Cejas highlights her experience in treating the whole patient and offers valuable resources for professionals working with diverse populations. Links to additional resources:  Dr. Ceja's University of Miami Lab Cejas I, Sanchez C, Lochet D, Coto J, Flores G. Cochlear Implant Management and Considerations for Bilingual Families. In: Young NM, Iler Kirk K, editors. Pediatric Cochlear Implantation 2 ed. Switzerland AG: Springer Cham; 2024. Chapter 5; p.109 - 122. 543p. If you enjoyed this episode, please press the subscribe button, give us a rating and a review. We’d love to hear from you. Beyond the Decibels is a podcast brought to you by Cochlear North America. Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, offering innovative products like cochlear implants and bone conduction systems. Cochlear technology helps people of all ages reconnect with sound and live fuller, more connected lives. Learn more at www.cochlear.com The views of the interviewees in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily represent the view of Cochlear North America and Cochlear Limited. This material is meant for health professionals – if you’re a consumer please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss.  Outcomes may vary and a health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome.