This Week in Hearing

From artificial intelligence and OTC hearing aids to emerging technologies and clinical innovation, the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) 2026 Annual Convention, held April 22–24, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas, offered a firsthand look at where hearing healthcare may be headed next. Recorded live from the convention floor, Andrew Bellavia discusses the biggest conversations, trends, and observations from this year’s

For people living with hearing loss, navigating healthcare settings can be one of the most stressful communication challenges they face. In this panel discussion from the 6th Annual Future of Hearing Healthcare Conference, moderators Shari Eberts and Gael Hannan are joined by advocates Tony Iacolucci and Peggy Ellertsen to explore the urgent need for better communication access throughout the healthcare

What happens when Widex adds a dedicated AI chip to its signature natural sound platform? Andrew Bellavia travels to WSA headquarters in Copenhagen for an early hands-on look at the new Widex Allure AI RIC and Compass Cloud 2.0. Andrew sits down with Sonnie Harris and Karin Hougs from WSA for an in-depth discussion on the technology behind the new

What if phone calls and video chats could finally adapt to the way people with hearing loss actually communicate? In this conversation, Gael Hannan speaks with Paul Lee, COO of InnoCaption, about the company’s latest accessibility innovations designed to improve communication for people with hearing loss. From AI-powered text-to-speech tools and predictive communication features to the launch of the new

What does hearing have to do with performance on the pickleball court? Live from the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) Conference 2026 in San Antonio, Shari Eberts speaks with Christine Jones, Vice President of Marketing, Wholesale U.S. at Sonova, about Phonak’s new partnership with USA Pickleball and the launch of the nationwide “Hear to Win” campaign. The initiative aims to

What does it take to compete at the highest level of sport while growing up with hearing loss? In this conversation, U.S. ski jumper Estella Hassrick shares her journey—from being diagnosed with hereditary cochlear dysplasia at age three to competing on the U.S. national team. She discusses the realities of hearing loss in high-performance sports, including the challenges of wearing

Could understanding individual sound preference be the key to improving hearing aid adoption and satisfaction? Bob Traynor, live from WSA headquarters in Copenhagen, speaks with Lise Henningsen, Head of Audiology Evidence & Validation at WSA, about the emerging concept of sound preference—and why it may be a missing piece in hearing care. Drawing on WSA’s latest research, they discuss how

What happens when a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience is made truly accessible? In this conversation, Shari Eberts speaks with Dr. Alison Richard—former Provost of Yale and a leading primatologist—about a recent trip to Madagascar and the Seychelles. While the journey itself was memorable, one thing that stood out was how a simple tool—PowerPoint captions—transformed the experience for participants with hearing loss.

In Part 2 of this conversation, the focus shifts from understanding tinnitus to how it’s actually managed. Dr. Jennifer Gans returns to speak with Shari Eberts about tinnitus management strategies. Building on their previous conversation, she outlines a practical framework for evaluating treatments, centered on three core elements: Reducing anxiety Providing accurate education; and Supporting nervous system regulation Rather than

Dr. Harvey Dillon’s career in audiology spans more than four decades of research, innovation, and leadership that have helped shape modern hearing care around the world. A former Director of the National Acoustic Laboratories and Professor of Audiology at both Macquarie University and the University of Manchester, Dr. Dillon’s work bridges psychoacoustics, engineering, and clinical practice, influencing everything from hearing