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Beyond the Decibels

Beyond the Decibels

Written by: Cochlear North America
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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.

© 2026 Beyond the Decibels
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Episodes
  • Jamy Claire Archer, SLP: Why Auditory-Verbal Therapy?
    Jun 15 2026

    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.


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    22 mins
  • René Gifford, PhD: What is the Cochlear Care Consensus?
    May 4 2026

    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.


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    28 mins
  • Kevin Zhan, MD: What’s Next for Hearing Health? (Part 2)
    Apr 13 2026

    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.


    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
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