User Stories

Riccardo was born with hearing loss caused by congenital CMV—a diagnosis that brought fear and uncertainty. But his story quickly became one of hope. With the love and determination of his parents, and the support of cochlear implant technology, Riccardo learned to hear, speak, and connect with the world around him. Discover how his family turned a CMV diagnosis into a story of sound, strength, and new beginnings.

ESPCI is a conference for professionals in the field of cochlear implantation for children. At this event, hearing professionals and cochlear implant users come together, not just to talk about technology, but to share experiences that shape the future of hearing. It’s a space where science meets real life, where ideas turn into innovations, and where every story reminds us why listening to users matters most.

Karam was born with a severe hearing loss, but thanks to a cochlear implant, he went from a world of silence to a world of sound. Today, he is a medical student in the United States, determined to become a cochlear implant surgeon and give others the same opportunity he received. Read on to discover his inspiring journey—and don’t miss his message of hope at the end.

Each year, Beats of Cochlea brings together people from around the world who share a love of music and a journey with hearing loss. This one-of-a-kind event in Warsaw, Poland, gives cochlear implant users the possibility to break boundaries in music and show what’s possible with the right support, technology, and passion.

Not only have cochlear implant users Irina and Jhonny both overcome hearing loss, but they also share a love of dance. In this article, they talk about their friendship, the impact of their cochlear implants, and their passion for dance.

16-year-old CI user Irem from Turkey got her first cochlear implant when she was only 13 months old. Her second CI followed at the age of 9. In this article, Irem tells us all about her experience with bilateral cochlear implants, what challenges she had to overcome, and what she thinks of her decision today.