User Stories

Every child deserves the chance to connect with the world around them: to hear laughter in the classroom, music wherever they are, and the voices of the people they love. For children with hearing loss, technology like cochlear implants can help make those moments possible. But hearing technology is about more than hearing itself. It’s about confidence, independence, inclusion, and the freedom to dream big.

What if hearing with a cochlear implant could feel more natural—not just louder or clearer, but truly aligned with you? For MED-EL cochlear implant users Mariia, Nandini, and Tracie, that’s exactly what anatomy-based fitting (ABF) did. Read on to find out how anatomy-based fitting can improve your hearing experience with a cochlear implant.

Cochlear implants (CIs) don’t just bring sound back—they help people regain the parts of life that matter most: conversations, confidence, music, movement, work, and the everyday moments that make us feel present in the world.

Music has always been central to Stephen’s life. Growing up in a family of musicians, he built a career performing, writing, and producing songs around the world. When sudden hearing loss took away the sound in one ear, it felt like the music had stopped. With the help of a "bionic ear"—a cochlear implant—Stephen has found new ways to listen, create, and share the music that continues to define his life.

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.