This Week in Hearing

Comedian D.J. Demers joins Gael Hannan to explore the intersection of humor and hearing loss. Known for his appearances on America’s Got Talent, late-night talk shows, and his Canadian sitcom One More Time, Demers has built a career making audiences laugh while also normalizing conversations about hearing aids and everyday challenges of hearing loss.In this conversation, he shares how stand-up comedy helped shape his identity, the impact of portraying a hard-of-hearing character on television, and some of the awkward (and hilarious) moments that come with performing live. The discussion also touches on media representation, the evolving visibility of hearing loss, and Demers’ future projects.

Learn more about D.J. Demers on his website https://www.djdemers.com/

Be sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.- https://x.com/WeekinHearing- https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinhearing/- https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearingVisit us at: https://hearinghealthmatters.org/thisweek/Audio podcast can be found on all major platforms, including Apple & Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisweekinhearing

Can regenerative medicine move beyond managing symptoms to actually restore natural hearing?Brian Taylor speaks with Simon Chandler, CEO of Rinri Therapeutics, about the company’s pioneering cell therapy for hearing loss. They discuss Rincell-1, Rinri’s first-in-human clinical trial, and how regenerative medicine could complement or even surpass today’s treatments like hearing aids and cochlear implants.The conversation also explores Rinri’s innovative surgical delivery approach, trial design, and future pipeline, including next-generation therapies aimed at restoring hair cells. Chandler shares his vision for how regenerative medicine could reshape hearing care and open the door to restoring hearing for millions worldwide.Learn more about Rinri and Rincell-1 at: https://www.rinri-therapeutics.comBe sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.

• - https://x.com/WeekinHearing
• - https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinhearing/
• - https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing

Visit us at: https://hearinghealthmatters.org/thisweek/

What if a regenerative therapy could not only halt sudden hearing loss but also help the inner ear repair itself? Dr. Reimar Schlingensiepen, CEO of Berlin-based biotech AudioCure, joins Brian Taylor to discuss AC102, the company’s lead compound now in Phase 2 clinical trials for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. With limited treatment options available today, the drug is being closely watched as a potential breakthrough in hearing healthcare.Dr. Schlingensiepen explains why sudden hearing loss should be treated as a medical emergency, the shortcomings of current steroid-based approaches, and how AC102 works at the cellular level to prevent programmed cell death and restore critical connections in the auditory system. He also highlights the progress of ongoing clinical trials and discusses how AC102 could potentially improve outcomes for patients undergoing cochlear implant surgery by reducing insertion-related trauma.The discussion further touches on broader applications, including recent preclinical findings published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. In that study, AC102 nearly eliminated tinnitus symptoms in an animal model of acoustic trauma while supporting repair of damaged synaptic connections in the inner ear. These results point to the potential for regenerative medicine to reshape treatment of auditory disorders that remain poorly served today.Reference for recently published study on AC102:

• Tziridis K, Rasheed J, Kwiatkowska M, Wright M, Schlingensiepen R. A Single Dose of AC102 Reverts Tinnitus by Restoring Ribbon Synapses in Noise-Exposed Mongolian Gerbils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025; 26(11):5124. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26115124

Learn more about AudioCure and AC102 here: https://www.audiocure.com/Be sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.

• - https://x.com/WeekinHearing
• - https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinhearing/
• - https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing

Visit us at: https://hearinghealthmatters.org/thisweek/

Madison Levine sits down with Dave Kemp to share her journey from founding a private practice to shaping it into a clinic that bridges hearing care with the wider healthcare system, emphasizing the role of hearing in cognition and aging well. She discusses her recent TEDx talk, the importance of physician and patient education, and how hearing care professionals can strike the right balance between raising awareness and avoiding alarmist messaging.From building referral networks to motivating patients with research-based conversations about cognition, Madison underscores the need for audiology to address one of the public’s greatest fears: dementia. She also reflects on overcoming imposter syndrome, the experience of giving a TEDx talk, and the lessons learned in growing her clinic into a thriving, medically focused practice.Be sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.

• https://x.com/WeekinHearing
• https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinhearing/

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing

Visit us at: https://hearinghealthmatters.org/thisweek/

Phonak has introduced the Virto R Infinio, its first fully rechargeable custom in-the-ear hearing aid. Built on the Infinio platform, Virto R offers a deeply recessed, discreet fit while delivering the same advanced performance as Phonak’s behind-the-ear models.

Key features include RightFit technology for personalized acoustics, biometric calibration for optimized directionality, and AutoSense OS 7 trained on 18x more real-life speech material for improved sound matching. The device also integrates SmartSpeech technology, StereoZoom 2.0, and universal Bluetooth with RogerDirect compatibility.In this discussion, Christine Jones, Vice President of Marketing at Sonova, highlights the innovations behind Virto R Infinio and what makes it different from earlier custom models. She explains how the combination of rechargeability, personalized fitting, and next-generation connectivity create a strong option for both new and experienced hearing aid users.Host Andrew Bellavia shares his own first-hand impressions of wearing Virto R Infinio, offering a user perspective on comfort, sound quality, pairing, and real-world performance in quiet and social situations.

🔗Virto R Infinio announcement: https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearing-technologies/2025/virto-r-infinio-hearing-aids/

Be sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.

• https://x.com/WeekinHearing
• https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinhearing/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing

Visit us at: https://hearinghealthmatters.org/thisweek/

What if a cochlear implant could adapt and improve throughout a patient’s lifetime? Hearing health advocate and author Gael Hannan sits down with Brendan Murray, Vice President of CI Product Portfolio at Cochlear, to discuss the launch of the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Nexa™ System. The Nexa is the first cochlear implant platform with upgradeable firmware, allowing recipients to benefit from future innovations beyond traditional sound processor upgrades.The system includes the Nucleus Nexa Implant along with the new Nucleus 8 Nexa and Kanso 3 Nexa Sound Processors. Key features include internal memory to securely store individualized hearing settings, Smart Sync for rapid restoration of maps when replacing a processor, and Dynamic Power Management for improved efficiency. The Nucleus 8 Nexa Sound Processor is also 9% smaller and 12% lighter than its predecessor, while still delivering all-day battery life.In this conversation, Murray outlines how the Nexa represents the first major cochlear implant redesign in more than 20 years, bringing advances in patient self-management, expanded diagnostic tools for clinicians, and a platform that can adapt to future hearing innovations.

• Press release announcing US FDA approval of Nexa Implant System: https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearing-technologies/2025/cochlear-nexa-implant-fda-approval/

Be sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.

• https://x.com/WeekinHearing
• https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinhearing/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing

Visit us at: https://hearinghealthmatters.org/thisweek/

For the first time, optical coherence tomography (OCT) is being used to study the human inner ear directly in patients. In this follow-up conversation, Dr. John Oghalai, Professor and Chair of the Caruso Department of Otolaryngology at USC, shares the latest advances in this groundbreaking research.Dr. Oghalai describes how his team has transitioned from animal studies to human imaging, uncovering new insights into conditions such as Meniere’s disease and vestibular schwannoma. By visualizing endolymphatic hydrops in real patients, this work moves closer to a future where handheld OCT devices could help audiologists and clinicians diagnose and monitor inner ear disorders in everyday practice.The discussion explores both the promise and current challenges of developing practical, non-invasive imaging tools—technology that may one day transform care for hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders.Be sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.

• https://x.com/WeekinHearing
• https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinhearing/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing

Visit us at: https://hearinghealthmatters.org/thisweek/

ReSound has introduced the Enzo IA, its newest super-power hearing aid built for people with severe-to-profound hearing loss. Smaller and rechargeable, Enzo IA offers up to 28 hours of battery life while delivering powerful gain without feedback. It also brings advanced hearing-in-noise performance through the new Clear Focus beamforming system, along with Auracast™ compatibility for next-generation streaming in public and private spaces. In this discussion, GN’s Chief Audiology Officer, Laurel Christensen, highlights the technology advances that make Enzo IA a significant step beyond its predecessor, the Enzo QThe conversation also features Peter Justesen, newly appointed President of GN’s Hearing Division, who shares his perspective on the company’s broader mission. He discusses how GN is accelerating innovation cycles, working to break down stigma around hearing loss, and ensuring that super-power users gain access to the same cutting-edge technology as other hearing aid users. Together, their insights provide a clear look at both the product’s impact and GN’s long-term vision for hearing health.

• Enzo IA launch announcement: https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearing-technologies/2025/resound-enzo-ia-super-hearing-aid/

Be sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.- https://x.com/WeekinHearing- https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinhearing/- https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing- https://hearinghealthmatters.org/thisweek/

What happens when the technology that restores your hearing comes with ongoing costs that insurance often won’t cover? Angela Irwin—bilateral cochlear implant recipient, TEDx speaker, confidence coach, and founder of the Joyful Life Cochlear Implant Fund—shares her personal journey and why she’s working to ensure no one loses their hearing a second time due to equipment costs. In this in-depth conversation, Angela explains the hidden expenses of cochlear implant upkeep, from rechargeable batteries to obsolete components, and the emotional impact these challenges can have on recipients. She also discusses how her nonprofit not only provides financial assistance for essential equipment but also offers coaching and advocacy tools to help people navigate life with a cochlear implant, build confidence, and communicate their needs effectively.🔗 Learn more about the JLCIF: https://jlcif.org/Be sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.- https://x.com/WeekinHearing- https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinhearing/- https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing- https://hearinghealthmatters.org/thisweek/

What if we could treat hearing loss before it shows up on a standard audiogram? Celia Belline, CEO and co-founder of Cilcare, shares progress on the company’s lead compound, CIL001, developed to treat cochlear synaptopathy—often referred to as hidden hearing loss.

A Phase 2A clinical trial is planned to begin later this year, targeting individuals with type 2 diabetes who are more likely to present early signs of the condition.The conversation explores how early-stage auditory synaptic damage may contribute to both hearing difficulties in noise and tinnitus, why timely intervention matters, and what’s ahead for the hearing therapeutics field.🔗 Learn more: https://www.cilcare.comBe sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.- https://x.com/WeekinHearing- https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinhearing/- https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing- https://hearinghealthmatters.org/thisweek/