This Week in Hearing

In 2025, conversations around hearing health and hearing technology spanned an unusually broad and dynamic range—from deeply personal patient experiences to cutting-edge science shaping the future of care. This year’s most-watched episodes reflected growing interest in how innovation translates into real-world impact, whether through advances in cochlear implant systems, next-generation hearing aids, accessibility technologies such as Auracast, or emerging therapeutic

Dr. Richard W. “Dick” Danielson’s career in audiology spans decades of service, leadership, and innovation across the U.S. Army, academic medicine, and NASA. A retired Army Colonel and former manager of Audiology and Hearing Conservation at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Dr. Danielson has dedicated his professional life to reducing the risk of hearing loss among military personnel, astronauts, and those

What does accessible audio look like when it’s designed for real-world environments—not just controlled settings? In this conversation, Jonathan Hoskin of Ampetronic explains how Auracast™ was deployed at Bristol Temple Meads railway station to deliver clear station announcements directly to personal devices such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, earbuds, and smartphones. Host Andrew Bellavia speaks with Jonathan about how the

What will shape the next era of hearing care, and how are global research, AI-driven advancements, and shifting perspectives on healthy aging coming together to redefine the field? In this conversation, Dr. Stefan Launer, Vice President of Audiology and Health Innovations at Sonova, reflects on his three-decade journey from psychoacoustics researcher to leading some of the company’s most influential developments

Where do the best ideas in hearing aid innovation come from, and how do they reach patients? In this conversation, Dr. Jason Galster, Vice President of Clinical Research at Sonova, explains how hearing aid research moves from early feasibility to clinical readiness and post-market studies. He discusses how research ideas originate—from clinicians, academic partners, and internal technology roadmaps—and how Sonova

Widex has expanded its Allure™ hearing aid platform with new form factors and charging options, giving hearing care professionals more flexibility across a wider range of patient needs. In this discussion, Dana Helmink, Au.D., Senior Director of Clinical Development at WSA, walks through the addition of a rechargeable Allure BTE, Widex’s first rechargeable ITE, and a new portable charger for

A fully implantable cochlear implant isn’t just a technical milestone—it’s a fundamentally different way of living with hearing loss. In a candid conversation, Gael Hannan speaks with Michael Seufer, one of the first recipients of the Envoy Medical Acclaim, an investigational fully implanted cochlear implant that eliminates external hardware. Michael shares how his hearing loss, first identified in childhood, shaped

A growing number of people are exploring hearing help earlier, and LXE Hearing believes there is a place for devices that bridge the gap between everyday earbuds and traditional hearing aids. In a detailed discussion, LXE Chief Commercial Officer Brian Maguire explains how the newly formed company—created from the merger of Lexie, hearX, and Eargo—is blending strong hardware engineering with

Can lost hearing cells be replaced? Lineage Cell Therapeutics CEO Brian Culley returns to discuss the company’s new collaboration with William Demant Invest. Together, they’re advancing ReSonance™ (ANP1) — an experimental cell therapy designed to replace damaged auditory neurons and potentially restore communication between the ear and the brain. Culley explains how the partnership combines Lineage’s regenerative cell technology with

Hearing loss stigma continues to be one of the biggest barriers to seeking help — even as awareness and technology improve. In this discussion, host Shari Eberts speaks with Dr. Katie Ekberg (Flinders University) and Dr. Louise Hickson (University of Queensland) about their research on hearing loss stigma — exploring how social perceptions, disclosure dilemmas, and outdated stereotypes affect help-seeking