2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/16/2026 | 2:25 PM - 2:55 PM | Cochlear Implant Adults All Grown Up! | Orlando
Cochlear Implant Adults All Grown Up!
Perspectives of deaf and hard of hearing adults are invaluable in our work as early intervention professionals or our journeys as family members. This presentation will share a panel of deaf and hard of hearing adults who have worn cochlear implants all their lives, sharing their educational, medical, & social journeys. Discussion will be held on latest research and resources for families considering cochlear implants for their child, including emerging policy trends, and health-related questions across the lifespan.
- Participants will be able to identify two questions to ask cochlear implant surgeons.
- Participants will be able to explain benefits and risks of a cochlear implant surgery to their family including the child.
- Participants will be provided with tools to analyze articles related to DHH children with cochlear implants.
Presentation:
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Handouts:
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Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Katrina Duncan
(Co-Presenter), Self-employed, crazlavie@aol.com;
Katrina Duncan is a deaf adult in her 40s who received a cochlear implant at age 11 and an updated replacement coil at 22 along with recently removing it. She has experienced a variety of educational environments and was raised by a hearing family. She has started sharing her experiences and perspectives as a child who did not understand receiving the surgery at the age of 11, and how she has navigated her journey especially how she has found joy both in herself and others.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Tawny Holmes Hlibok, Esq.
(Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter), Gallaudet University, tawny.holmes.hlibok@gallaudet.edu;
Tawny Holmes Hlibok, Esq., who recently served as a White House Fellow under the previous and current administrations, is a faculty member in Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University. She also served as Executive Director of the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf. She graduated from Gallaudet University with BA degrees in Deaf Studies and Sociology along with a MA degree in Deaf Education and a juris doctorate with a concentration in family law at University of Baltimore Law. She has practiced law, provided policy analysis and advocacy services for families and Deaf children for over a decade.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Gallaudet University.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Gallaudet University.
Nature: Faculty travel stipend.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.