CI2026 John Niparko Memorial Lecture
“Predicting Performance in Cochlear Implantation”
Thursday, May 7 | 9:35 AM-10:05 AM
American Cochlear Implant Alliance (ACI Alliance) is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Craig Buchman to deliver the annual Niparko Memorial Lecture at CI2026 – Chicago. The Niparko lecture was established to recognize Dr. John K. Niparko’s enduring commitment to cochlear implant research and clinical care and honor his significant contributions to the field.
Craig Buchman, MD, FACS is a Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Utah and Past Lindburg Professor and Chair, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Georgia, his MD at the University of Florida, his residency and research fellowship in otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh, and a clinical fellowship in neurotology at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles. He was a Founding Board Member of the American Cochlear Implant Alliance and served as its Chair of the Board during the early years.
“Why Proven Technologies Fail to Spread: Institutions, Incentives, and the Case of Hearing Health“
Keynote Speaker: James A. Robinson, PhD
Friday, May 8 | 8:40 AM-9:20 AM
James A. Robinson is a Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences and Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at the University of Chicago, whose groundbreaking research has reshaped how scholars and policymakers understand the role of institutions, incentives, and norms in shaping prosperity and the adoption of transformative technologies. Awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize for his work on how institutions are formed and how they determine who benefits from innovation, Professor Robinson is widely recognized for his rare ability to translate deep, rigorous scholarship into clear, compelling insights for diverse audiences. An engaging and generous speaker, he combines intellectual authority with humility, curiosity, and genuine respect for practitioners, making his talks both thought-provoking and accessible. Having also spoken openly about his own experience with hearing loss and long-term hearing aid use, he brings a deeply personal perspective to conversations about hearing health, further grounding his work in empathy, insight, and lived experience.
Keynote Panel: “Beyond the Device: Supporting Music Perception, Rehabilitation, and Enjoyment in Cochlear Implant Users“
Keynote Panel Moderators: Alex Chern, MD and Nicole Jiam, MD
Panelists: Juan Vasquez, AuD, Karen Barrett, PhD, and Kevin Zhan, MD
Saturday, May 9 | 8:40 AM – 9:10 AM
Music perception and enjoyment remain a common challenge for individuals with hearing loss and cochlear implants, often falling short of expectations despite excellent speech outcomes. This panel will focus on practical, non-device-based strategies to support music listening and engagement, with a focus on counseling, structured training, and real-world listening approaches. Drawing from interdisciplinary perspectives in otology, audiology, and music rehabilitation, panelists will discuss how factors such as prior musical experience, expectation setting, and active listening and training behaviors influences outcomes. The discussion will emphasize actionable, clinically relevant strategies that can be readily integrated into patient care. Attendees will gain clinically relevant tools and a patient handout to better counsel and support patients seeking to reconnect with music.