Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

One of the most significant aspects of our organizational growth is the member-driven push to establish and own special interest groups or SIGs, allowing members to meet together to explore and take action on important issues. These six groups, with three SIGs meeting virtually throughout the year and in-person at the annual conference. The Adult Rehabilitation SIG collaborated on research, which they presented in Boston, and used as a tool to inform future research and provide suggestions on best practices in CI care.

Expanding our focus beyond a simple definition of access to cochlear implantation is an important aspect of the organization’s current set of activities. Indeed, these six SIGs demonstrate how ACI Alliance can engage with a broader group of individuals and organizations who can help all of us expand knowledge of, and support for, cochlear implant access.

• Professionals Working with Spanish-Speaking Patients and Their Families
  

This new Special Interest Group aims to bring together clinicians, researchers, and advocates committed to strengthening services for this population by identifying common pain points and advancing practical, patient-centered solutions.

In this inaugural session, we will highlight the group’s first initiative with an in-depth discussion of the American Cochlear Implant Alliance Recommendations for the Assessment of Spanish-speaking Adults in the United States. Participants will gain insight into current best practices for cochlear implant assessment informed by the latest literature and real-world clinical experience.

The session will also create space for dialogue around critical gaps in knowledge and priorities for future work. We hope this meeting will spark ongoing collaboration and serve as a launch point for sustained efforts to improve access, consistency, and quality of care for Spanish-speaking patients and their families.

This year’s first meeting will be led by: 

• Educators of Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The CI2025 conference in Boston brought together a Special Interest Group focused on education for children with hearing loss. This diverse group included teachers of the deaf from school-age programs, early interventionists, college professors from teacher preparation programs, speech-language pathologists, and students preparing to enter the field. Participants came from across the United States as well as international colleagues, enriching the discussions with a broad range of perspectives.

Through collaborative dialogue, the group identified several common concerns among professionals supporting children with hearing loss. One major topic was ensuring that children with cochlear implants receive the necessary support services. Discussions addressed educational outcomes, eligibility criteria, and the importance of providing parents with comprehensive information during early intervention. These conversations highlighted the critical need for coordinated efforts to support children’s development effectively.

Another significant theme was the growing teacher shortage and the decline in teacher preparation programs nationwide. Many regions are already experiencing the impact of this shortage, which poses challenges to maintaining quality education for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Participants expressed concern about this trend and explored strategies to attract and retain qualified educators.

The group also discussed uncertainties surrounding federal funding for K-12 and postsecondary education. Concerns about resource availability underscored the importance of advocacy and strategic planning to secure sustained support for educational programs.

Throughout the conference, members shared resources and ideas, reaching a consensus that collaboration among professionals is essential to ensuring the continued success of children with hearing loss. The group, supported by ACI Alliance, has taken an important step forward in fostering ongoing cooperation. They plan to continue meeting virtually and look forward to reconvening at CI2026 in Chicago, strengthening their commitment to this vital work.

• Members with Hearing Loss

The ACI Alliance Professionals with Hearing Loss SIG had a fantastic time at CI2026 in Chicago! Since its start four years ago, our group has grown to include dozens of deaf and hard of hearing audiologists, physicians, researchers, teachers of the deaf, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, and trainees.  Our time together in Chicago kicked off with our annual lunch, in which about 25 of us engaged in energizing discussions around accessibility, professional mentorship, and the added value that deaf and hard of hearing professionals can offer to CI recipients and their families. We workshopped our group’s mission statement around these themes.  We were also thrilled to have a special guest, incoming Executive Director Carrie Spangler, who discussed the ways her personal experiences as a bilateral CI recipient and professional experiences as an audiologist and advocate shape her vision for the Alliance. That evening, we hosted our first SIG social event, a happy hour at Big Bar at which we connected with friends old and new.

As we look toward CI2027 in San Diego, the SIG leadership team continues to work virtually to carry out a collaborative research study and plan professional development and mentorship opportunities for new deaf and hard of hearing professionals. We are also busy planning an Audiology Online panel presentation to be held on Wednesday, Sept 16, 2026 from 12:00 to 1:30pm ET. More details are forthcoming. We will continue to offer virtual safe spaces via Zoom meetings where we can connect and share challenges and successes we have experienced as professionals in the hearing loss field who also have hearing loss ourselves.

If you are an ACI Alliance member with hearing loss (or know one) and are interested in joining
the SIG, please contact Elaine Smolen (es3519@tc.columbia.edu) and Viral Tejani
(viral.tejani@UHhospitals.org) to be added to the listserv. Stay tuned for details about our next Zoom meeting, to be held later this summer.  We hope you can join us!

Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Senior Research Audiologist & Subdivision Leader, Cochlear Implant Program
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center

Elaine Smolen, PhD, CED, LSLS Cert. AVEd
Visiting Assistant Professor
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education
Department of Health and Behavior Studies
Teachers College, Columbia University

• Adult Aural Rehabilitation

The Adult Aural Rehabilitation Special Interest Group (SIG) brought together more than 75 clinicians, researchers, and related professionals at the annual lunch during CI2026 in Chicago, who are all committed to improving access to aural rehabilitation (AR) services for adult cochlear implant recipients.

The lunch provided an important opportunity to reconnect, welcome new members, discuss ongoing needs in the field, and identify future opportunities for collaboration. The strong attendance reflected the continued growth of the SIG and recognition of adult AR as an essential component of CI care. Our discussion was networking-centric, with a shared goal to generate a referral network for CI recipients as well as clinicians to request interprofessional support/consultation.

The SIG also celebrated the success of the first Adult Aural Rehabilitation Workshop held pre-conference on Wednesday, 5/6. Over 30 participants attended the workshop to learn about foundational knowledge, current data, and practical considerations for supporting adults after CI. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees reporting that they appreciated the depth of content, the inclusion of data, and the balanced, noncommercial focus. SIG members emphasize and advocate for future opportunities within ACIA to learn “how-to” content, including therapy tips, teaching tools, intervention strategies, and practical examples from clinicians in the field.

Interested in staying connected year-round? Complete the membership form to be added to our google group https://forms.gle/vW53CY98oCcFXVay8

Completion of the form prompts addition to this Google group. 

Blair Richlin M.S, CCC-SLP, LSLS AVEd
Speech-Language Pathologist 
Mass Eye and Ear
brichlin@meei.harvard.edu

• Mentorship Luncheon Empowers Students with Career Guidance

Students, fellows, and residents attending CI2025 Boston had the valuable opportunity to participate in a mentorship luncheon designed to support them as they navigate the early stages of their professional journeys. The event was led by two distinguished mentors: Nichole Jiam MD, Assistant Professor and Director of the Otolaryngology Innovation Center at the University of California, San Francisco, and Gabrielle Watson AuD, an audiologist at the University of Iowa.

Together, they facilitated an engaging and interactive discussion with over 50 students and early career clinicians representing diverse career paths within the cochlear implant field. The conversation centered on helping students identify and actively pursue their individual career goals. Topics included effective strategies for job searching, resume development, and building meaningful professional networks. The mentors also shared personal stories from their career paths, offering real-world insights into overcoming challenges and staying motivated throughout the job search process.

In addition to providing practical advice, the luncheon offered students a deeper understanding of the skills and qualities that can distinguish them in a competitive job market. It provided a supportive and welcoming environment for peer connection and professional learning. Overall, the session proved to be both informative and empowering—an invaluable experience for anyone preparing to take the next step in their career.

At CI2026, we are planning an interactive training to discuss:

The Mentor-Mentee Relationship

This informal presentation and discussion will focus on the benefits of and critical components of being an ideal mentor or mentee.  We will also explore options for mentoring students pre-graduate level education to encourage them to become members of our professions.  Rady Children’s Health and San Diego State University have had a collaborative mentorship program for undergraduate students for the past six years. Components of that program will be discussed to highlight the benefits of the mentorship process.  

To be led by: Julie K. Purdy, Ph.D. CCC-A
Rady Children's Hospital San Diego

• Cochlear Implant Care within Governmental Services
  

The inaugural meeting of the Government Services Special Interest Group (SIG) was held at CI2206.  Dr. Stacey Sturgulewski of the Edward Hines Jr. VA and Dr. Elicia M. Pillion of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center collaborated and co-launched this SIG to help bring together CI providers working in federal healthcare, as well as those providers who are interested in CI care in the Veteran and Active-Duty Service Member populations. Leaders within the Government Services community presented on unique caseloads and barriers while working with these important patient populations.

Lori Nixon, M.A. of the Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System presented on the telehealth services that were piloted at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. These telehealth options have expanded CI care across the VA system, allowing for improved access for Veterans pursuing implants. Naomi Downey Au.D. of Naval Medical Center Portsmouth shared her expertise on Community Care within Government Services. Dr. Downey discussed some of the challenges and requirements for serving Veterans in a Military Treatment Facility. David Friedman, M.D. of the New York Harbor VA Healthcare System presented his research on severe hearing loss in the Veteran population.  He also discussed a successful model that has helped improve access to CI care for the more rural Veterans on Long Island, NY.  Dr. Sturgulewski presented data on the VHA Cochlear Implant Mentorship Program that supports the training of new cochlear implant audiologists within the VA system. Dr. Pillion presented data on cochlear implantation in our Active-Duty Service Member population and their families. She also presented the unique way the DoD is utilizing at-home cochlear implant telehealth services for Active-Duty Service Members, that allows them to stay with their families both within and outside of the United States. 

The SIG was well attended and well received. This year’s conference had a record number of government services participants from the VA, DoD, and Indian Health Services. This was an amazing turnout for the inaugural meeting. With increased interest in care within the Government Services arena, it is hoped that this SIG will continue to grow in years to come. 

If you would like any information regarding this SIG, please email:  siggovernmentservicesacia@gmail.com

Led by: Stacey Sturgulewski AuD
Edward Hines Jr Va Hospital
Hines, IL

Elicia M Pillion AuD
Hearing Implant Program Manager
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Audiology and Speech Pathology Center