As the population of cochlear implant (CI) candidates and recipients grows, there is a need for more audiologists to meet their clinical needs. Little information exists regarding the perception of recent doctorate of audiology (AuD) graduates and the training they received related to CI.
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Audiology program directors and clinical educators should review their cochlear implant training curricula against survey findings to identify and address potential gaps in AuD graduate preparation.
Gaps in cochlear implant training within AuD programs could result in newly qualified audiologists being underprepared to manage an increasingly common and complex device, affecting patient outcomes nationwide.
- 01Survey assessed cochlear implant training content and clinical exposure across US AuD graduate programs.
- 02Study highlights variability in how programs prepare students for cochlear implant candidacy evaluation and device management.
- 03Findings have direct implications for audiology curriculum design and accreditation standards.
- 04Cochlear implant use in adults is expanding, increasing demand for competent audiologists in this specialty.
- 05Results may prompt discussion about national standardization of cochlear implant competency requirements.
There is variability in cochlear implant training across US Doctor of Audiology graduate programs.
studysupported- PMID
- 42868341
- DOI
- 10.1044/2026_AJA-26-00047.
- Journal
- American Journal of Audiology
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 4
- Population
- Doctor of Audiology graduate programs in the United States
- Intervention
- Cochlear implant training curricula and clinical education in AuD programs
Primary outcomes
Current state of cochlear implant training across US AuD programs; Variability in training content, hours, and clinical exposure