A Comprehensive Look at Cochlear Implant Programming in Children

René Gifford, Ph.D, CCC-A, is a Professor in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences and holds the Fred H. Bess Chair in Audiology. She is an active clinician-scientist whose research focuses on the study of auditory perception, spatial hearing, and binaural development for children and adults using combined electric and acoustic stimulation (EAS) via hearing aid and cochlear implant technology. Her primary professional goal is centered on improving auditory-based outcomes and ensuring that we are using data-driven recommendations for hearing and speech/language intervention for all individuals across the lifespan. Dr. Gifford’s research has been NIH funded for 20 years, she has published over 140 peer-reviewed articles, multiple book chapters, and two books. Most importantly, however, she and her spouse, Branden, are parents to three sons and they all enjoy golfing, hiking, and travel.

Financial Disclosures: Dr. Gifford receives compensation as a Professor and Director of the Implantables, Hearing Enhancement & Amplification Research (I HEAR) Laboratory at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She is adjunct faculty at Arizona State University, Department of Speech and Hearing Science, College of Health Solutions. She receives grants from both Advanced Bionics and Cochlear. She receives consulting fees from Akouos. She is on the executive advisory board for Cochlear. She also receives compensation from Hearing First for the facilitation of this course.

Non-financial disclosures: Dr. Gifford was the 2022-2023 President of the American Auditory Society. She serves on the Editorial Board for Trends in Hearing. She is member of the Hearing Health Collaborative. She is also member of the FDA Minimum Core Data Elements (MCDE) Cochlear Implants Innovation, Research, and Advancement working group.