2:30 – 3:00 p.m. ET

Welcome and Introduction

.1 AAA CEUs

.1 ASHA CEUs

1.0 hours AG Bell Academy CEUs

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET

Gene Therapy for Pediatric Hearing Loss  

Presenter: Eliot Shearer, M.D., Ph.D., Boston Children’s Hospital (United States)  

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Gene therapy for hearing loss has moved from concept to clinic, with early trial results now available. This session reviews outcomes from current pediatric trials, discusses what’s been learned about patient selection, timing, and delivery, and explores questions on durability, candidacy criteria, and how gene therapy fits alongside cochlear implantation.  

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:  

• Differentiate gene therapy from other genetic and hearing-related interventions, including what it can and cannot be expected to do. 

• Analyze how patient selection, timing, delivery, and durability affect outcomes in current pediatric gene therapy trials. 

• Apply current candidacy criteria and trial findings to determine which patients and families may be appropriate to refer for gene therapy evaluation.

 

.1 AAA CEUs

.1 ASHA CEUs

1.0 AG Bell Academy CEUs

4:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET

Innovating with Care While Embracing Technological Advances 

Presenter: Valerie Sung, MBBS(Hons), FRACP, MPH, Ph.D., GAICD, Murdoch Children’s Research Hospital (Australia)  

Instructional Level: Intermediate 

Technological innovation opens doors but also raises difficult questions. Genetic screening and gene therapies raise critical ethical considerations. How do we ensure informed consent? How do we communicate uncertain or life-altering results with honesty, sensitivity, and hope? Who decides what should be done? Learn more about the inclusion of families lived experience and the voices of children who are deaf and hard of hearing in shaping holistic care.  

By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 

• Analyze the potential ethical and societal implications of gene therapies. 

• Apply the rights of the child as the guiding principle for families exploring novel therapy options. 

• Provide family-centred care and support post-genetic diagnosis.

.1 AAA CEUs

.1 ASHA CEUs

1.0 AG Bell Academy CEUs

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. ET

Case Presentations: Patients Considering Gene Therapy  

Presenters: Eliot Shearer, M.D., Ph.D., Boston Children’s Hospital (United States); Michael S. Cohen, M.D., Harvard Medical School (United States); Dylan Chan, M.D., Ph.D., University of California, San Francisco (United States); Valerie Sung, MBBS(Hons), FRACP, MPH, Ph.D., GAICD, Murdoch Children’s Research Hospital (Australia)   

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Participants will be placed in breakout groups where they will discuss several patient cases for patients and families considering gene therapy for hearing loss. Collaborative learning will help attendees provide information to patients considering gene therapy.  

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:  

• Practice counseling patients who are considering gene therapy. 

• Analyze how patients and families weigh the decision to pursue gene therapy. 

• Address areas of uncertainty when counseling patients about gene therapy.