CIICA CONVERSATION: COCHLEAR IMPLANTS & TINNITUS
WHY EVERY JOURNEY SOUNDS DIFFERENT
26th MAY 2026
Summary available here.
The CIICA conversation led by Robert Mandara CI user and advocate, Finland, Kelly Assouly a researcher from the Netherlands and Charlotte Young CI user and advocate from the UK, brought together 20 people from across the globe to discuss cochlear implants and tinnitus.
Tinnitus is a common yet highly individual experience for people with cochlear implants. While some find that their tinnitus improves with their implant, others notice changes in loudness, pitch, or impact on daily life and for some, it may remain a significant challenge. Research and community discussions show that tinnitus can vary widely, meaning that no two journeys are the same.
In this CIICA Conversation, we explored tinnitus with a cochlear implant, before implantation, during activation, and over time. Building on insights from previous conversations, where experiences ranged from relief to increased awareness, this session focuses on understanding why these differences occur and what they mean for CI users, families, and professionals.
