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June 14, 2025

News from ESPCI 2025: Spotlight on Cochlear Implants, DHH Social Experiences and Advocacy

From June 11–14, Claudia attended the European Symposium on Paediatric Cochlear Implantation (ESPCI) 2025 in Hannover, Germany – a bi-annual gathering of researchers, professionals, and cochlear implant (CI) users focused on improving CI access, care, and outcomes for children across Europe.

She presented recent interview findings on the social experiences of adolescents and young adults with CIs in mainstream schools (view the poster; publication in process), and had the chance to discuss results with Karolin Schäfer, our German research collaborator and expert on D/deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) pedagogy for DHH children. Claudia also took part in a roundtable on rehabilitation and non-use, joining the conversation on how everyday challenges and therapy contexts can shape young CI users’ engagement with their devices. Find out more about her research project here.

A personal highlight from ESPCI 2025 was learning more about the advocacy efforts by the Cochlear Implant International Community of Action (CIICA) and the growing movement to centre the voices of CI users in shaping policy and support worldwide. Advocacy is growing louder, and we all have a part to play.

Want to help? Even small efforts to spread information about hearing diversity and cochlear implants might mean the world to a young DHH person encountering a more understanding and informed environment. Check out the resources offered by CIICA, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the DCIG (Germany), which provide free, accessible materials for different audiences.