This is the second part of the vestibular episode! Host Maria Khan, an audiologist and co-producer of the podcast, continues our discussion with Dr. Karen Gordon, Dr. Sharon Cushing and Melissa Hazen. Dr. Sharon Cushing is an Otolaryngologist at The Hospital for Sick Children, Director of the Cochlear Implant Program and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. Melissa Hazen is a clinical audiologist at The Hospital for Sick Children and a PhD candidate in the Archie's Cochlear Implant Lab. Part two jumps right into Melissa's research, the three parts of her PhD and how this research translates into real life.

Transcript of S5E5

Recorded on July 30, 2025

Produced by Maria Khan

Music composed and performed by Dr. Blake Papsin, Otolaryngologist-in-Chief, Department of Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery) at the Hospital for Sick Children

Finally, in the fifth episode of season 5, we get dizzy with the vestibular system. Host Maria Khan, an audiologist and co-producer of the podcast, chats with Dr. Karen Gordon, Dr. Sharon Cushing and Melissa Hazen. Dr. Sharon Cushing was featured in previous episodes; she is an Otolaryngologist at The Hospital for Sick Children, Director of the Cochlear Implant Program and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. Melissa Hazen is a clinical audiologist at The Hospital for Sick Children and a PhD candidate in the Archie's Cochlear Implant Lab, whose research is focused on children with hearing loss who also have vestibular issues and how that translates into developmental and spatial abilities. In the first part of the episode, we defined balance and reviewed the anatomy and physiology of the vestibular system. Then, we discuss what a vestibular deficit can do to someone's day-to-day function.

Transcript of S5E5

Recorded on July 30, 2025

Produced by Maria Khan

Music composed and performed by Dr. Blake Papsin, Otolaryngologist-in-Chief, Department of Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery) at the Hospital for Sick Children

In the fourth episode of season 5, we peek into the world of single-sided deafness or LUHU (limited usable hearing unilaterally). Host May Wang chats with Dr. Karen Gordon, Dr. Sharon Cushing, Harrison Gao, and Hanne Bartel. May is completing a BSc in Food, Nutrition and Health at the University of British Columbia and has lived experience with single-sided deafness.

Dr. Sharon Cushing is an Otolaryngologist at the Hospital for Sick Children, Director of the Cochlear Implant Program and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. Hanne Bartels completed her MD at KU Leuven and is a PhD Candidate at the University of Toronto, whose research is focused on single-sided deafness. Last but not least, Harrison Gao is a medical student at the University of Toronto. This episode explores first-hand experiences of single-sided deafness, rehabilitation, and ongoing research in the field!

Transcript of S5E4

Previous episodes featuring Dr. Sharon Cushing:

• S1E1: Binaural Hearing: The Where and Why with Dr. Ruth Litovsky
• S1E2: Hearing Lessons from an Engineer with Dr. Deniz Başkent
• S1E3: Electro-acoustic Hearing: An Odd Combination that Works with Dr. René Gifford
• S1E4: Cochlear Implants: An Expert-insider’s View with Dr. Lina Reiss
• S1E5: Hearing in all Corners of the Globe with Dr. Viji Easwar

Recorded on Aug 8, 2025

Produced by Maria Khan

Music composed and performed by Dr. Blake Papsin, Otolaryngologist-in-Chief, Department of Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery) at the Hospital for Sick Children