2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/11/2025 | 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Hearing Technology 101: Hearing Aids, Implants, and Remote Microphone Systems | 301
Hearing Technology 101: Hearing Aids, Implants, and Remote Microphone Systems
Hearing technology is continually advancing and so are considerations for pediatric hearing device candidacy. This session is designed for non-audiologists and aims to provide an overview on the auditory system and hearing devices designed to restore auditory access for children with hearing loss. Participants will begin by gaining an understanding of the key structures involved in hearing and the basic principles associated with how children hear. The session will then explore the functionality and current evidence-based candidacy criteria for hearing aids and cochlear implants. We will describe how these devices work to support hearing and their suitability for children with different types and degrees of hearing loss. Additionally, the session will cover remote microphone systems, explaining their purpose and providing practical examples of how and when they can be used to support children’s hearing. By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to identify key auditory structures involved in hearing, differentiate between hearing aids and cochlear implants, and understand the role of remote microphone systems in improving auditory access for children.
- The participant will be able to identify key structures involved in hearing.
- The participant will be able to describe differences between hearing aids and cochlear implants and how they function to support hearing.
- The participant will be able to explain the purpose of remote microphone systems and provide examples of real-world scenarios in which they could be helpful.
Presentation:
3545975_18078AndreaDunn.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Andrea Dunn
(Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter,Co-Author), Oberkotter Foundation, adunn@oberkotterfoundation.org;
Andrea is a pediatric audiologist and the Vice President of Programs at the Oberkotter Foundation.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Oberkotter Foundation.
Nature: I am an employee of the Oberkotter Foundation. .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Jace Wolfe
(Co-Presenter,Co-Author), Oberkotter Foundation, jwolfe@oberkotterfoundation.org;
Jace Wolfe, Ph.D., is the Senior Vice President of Innovation at the Oberkotter Foundation. He is author of the textbook entitled “Cochlear Implants: Audiologic Management and Considerations for Implantable Hearing Devices,” and he is co-editor (with Carol Flexer, Jane Madell, and Erin Schafer) of the textbooks “Pediatric Audiology: Diagnosis, Technology, and Management, Third Edition” and “Pediatric Audiology Casebook, Second Edition.” He is also a co-author of the textbook entitled “Programming Cochlear Implants, Third Edition,” and he has published over 130 book chapters and articles in peer-reviewed and trade journals. His areas of interests are pediatric hearing healthcare and overcoming barriers that prevent children with hearing loss from reaching their full potential.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.