Beyond the Decibels

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.

On this episode of Beyond the Decibels, Chelsea Anderson, PhD, a Speech-Language Pathologist and researcher who worked at Hearts for Hearing in Oklahoma, shared her experiences in counseling children with hearing loss. Hear about how the Hearts for Hearing philosophy of “Eyes Open, Ears On” and their approach to counseling the “whole child” have brought about more empowered parents and successful rehabilitation.

The Cochlear Nucleus Implant System has not been approved by FDA for use in children younger than 9 months of age, and the safety and effectiveness of the Cochlear Nucleus Implant System in patients aged down to 6 months has not been established.

 In the United States, the Cochlear Nucleus Implant System is approved for use in children 9 to 24 months of age who have profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears and demonstrate limited benefit from appropriate hearing aids. Children 2 years of age or older may demonstrate severe to profound hearing loss in both ears.

 A copy of the most current FDA-required labeling can be found on our website for the full list of indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and risks. 

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.

When audiologist, Sandra Porps, AuD, of Michigan Ear Institute needed to improve efficiencies in her clinic, she had no idea of the positive impact it would have on the whole practice. 

To meet the needs of their patients, Michigan Ear Institute adopted a new care model for cochlear implant patients. These changes enabled them to reduce their patient visit schedule and increase remote care support, all while maintaining patient satisfaction and outcomes and allowing them to serve even more patients! 

In this episode, you’ll learn about the simple yet impactful changes that led to her clinic's success.

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.

Join us for an engaging discussion with Dr. Matt Bush, a leading expert in otolaryngology and hearing implants. Dr. Bush shares his journey into the field and the key moments that led him to specialize in hearing implants. You’ll hear this take on the challenges of access to care and healthcare inequities, along with innovative strategies he’s used to address these issues. You’ll also hear him discuss considerations and capabilities of telehealth and get a chance to learn how LEGO sets relate to his work. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion filled with personal stories, professional insights, and practical solutions to healthcare challenges.

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.

We had the pleasure of chatting with fellow podcaster, audiologist and bimodal recipient, Katie Farnsworth, AuD.  Dr. Farnsworth is a pediatric audiologist at Lurie Children’s hospital of Chicago and launched a podcast with the support of her team. Listen to our discussion on how Katie supports her patients with empathy, and an understanding that each person’s path is different, and how she finds new ways to support her patients through connection.

For more information, check out these resources: 

Amplified Podcast

The Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources (FHSR) 
 

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.