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Beyond the Decibels

Beyond the Decibels

Written by: Cochlear North America
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About this listen

Indicators of change in implantable hearing solutions are everywhere and they’re multi-faceted; including an aging population, increasing awareness, advancing care/technology and expanding access through candidacy criteria. Beyond the Decibels is a podcast that aims to bring together audiologists, otolaryngologists, and experts in the field to explore the latest innovations, research, and advancements in understanding hearing health and treating hearing loss. Together with leading experts, our hosts will dive beyond the standard noise and engage in meaningful discussions that will empower listeners with the insights and motivation to drive hearing health into the future.

© 2025 Beyond the Decibels
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Episodes
  • Charles Limb, MD: Is Music the Final Frontier?
    Jan 19 2026

    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 Americas. 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.


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    25 mins
  • Meredith Holcomb, AuD: What If Everyone Worked Together?
    Dec 15 2025

    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 Americas. 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.


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    30 mins
  • Matt Shew, MD: Could AI Predict Cochlear Implant Success?
    Nov 24 2025

    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 Americas. 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.


    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
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