Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! “We are living in a day and age where it doesn’t have to be about I can’t anymore; it’s a matter of finding the right solutions and having the right support behind you”. You will not want to miss this empowEARing conversation with Sam Atcherson, Ph.D. as he shares his journey from hearing aids to cochlear implant. Dr. Atcherson describes how the cochlear implant process was a life changing decision for him that allowed many doors to open both personally and professionally. Family support, becoming an advocate, and having peer support are foundational to his current success. Dr. Atcherson received his bachelors and masters degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Georgia and his doctorate in Audiology and Speech Pathology at the University of Memphis. Currently, Professor of Audiology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, he has given over 200 presentations at local, regional, and international levels, and he is author or co-author of over 50 peer-reviewed articles, 22 book chapters, and 3 books. His research and clinical areas of interest include face mask-related speech perception and acoustics, auditory electrophysiology, audiologic rehabilitation, and health literacy. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education and on the Board of Trustees as Vice-Chairperson for the Arkansas Schools for the Deaf and the Blind and Visually-Impaired. He is the co-founder of the Association of Audiologists with Hearing Loss, a former president of the Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses, and one of the original founding board members of the Arkansas Hands and Voices chapter. You can find out more information about Dr. Atcherson at: https://chpresearch.uams.edu/faculty-profile-samuel-atcherson-ph-d/ For more information about Dr. Carrie Spangler- check out her Linktree at https://linktr.ee/carrie.spangler. For transcripts of this episode- visit the podcast website at: https://empowearaudiology.buzzsprout.com