#United States #Philadelphia #Oberkotter Foundation #Audiology #Teresa Caraway

Dr. Teresa Caraway Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

On May 8, 2026, Dr. Teresa Caraway, the Chief Executive Officer at the Oberkotter Foundation, was presented with the coveted 2026 American Cochlear Implant (ACI) Alliance Lifetime Achievement Award during the ACI Alliance's annual conference held on May 7. This prestigious award recognizes Dr. Caraway’s profound contributions to the field of cochlear implantation, significantly impacting the lives of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Dr. Caraway, who has specialized in Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) for over four decades, is a pioneering advocate for children with hearing impairments, striving to help them learn critical listening and speaking skills. Her commitment to family-centered care and education has transformed how care is delivered across the country, ensuring that children with hearing challenges receive the support they need to thrive.

During her career, Dr. Caraway has relentlessly worked to enhance access to necessary resources and innovative programs aimed at improving spoken language outcomes for these children. Her contributions extend beyond the ACI Alliance, earning her recognition from the American Otological Society (AOS) in April 2026. At the 159th Annual AOS Meeting, she received a Presidential Citation for her exceptional work in otology, the medical specialty dealing with ear disorders.

Furthermore, Dr. Caraway was named an EHDI Hero during the 25th Annual Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Conference. This accolade highlights her dedication to education, collaboration, and systemic transformation that enhances opportunities for children facing hearing loss, empowering them to reach their full potential.

Cedric Pritchett, M.D., MPH, a member of the Oberkotter Foundation's Board of Trustees, commented, "These honors reflect Dr. Caraway's bold leadership and unwavering commitment to pediatric hearing healthcare. As a trailblazer, her work is instrumental in expanding access to quality care nationwide, positively influencing numerous families."

In her role as CEO, Dr. Caraway oversees the Oberkotter Foundation's initiatives to drive innovation in pediatric hearing healthcare. Under her guidance, the foundation has implemented the Hearing First initiative, which offers valuable, evidence-based information to families and professionals. This initiative has created a robust online professional learning community that includes over 15,000 members and provides 80+ research-backed courses in LSL and pediatric audiology, all at no cost.

Dr. Caraway is also recognized for her leadership in other organizations that advance LSL outcomes. She co-founded Hearts for Hearing and served as the founding president of the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language. Additionally, she has played a significant role in the governance of Auditory-Verbal International and is a founding board member of the American Cochlear Implant Alliance.

In her acceptance remarks, Dr. Caraway expressed her gratitude for the recognition from these organizations. She emphasized the importance of breaking down barriers to cochlear implantation and improving standards of care, underscoring the critical nature of early detection and intervention. "This honor showcases what can be achieved when communities unify around shared goals and work together to facilitate meaningful change for children with hearing loss and their families," she stated.

The Oberkotter Foundation, founded in 1985, continues to support families in facilitating the fullest potential for their children with hearing impairments through Listening and Spoken Language. The foundation is dedicated to promoting scientific advancements that enhance access to audiological and LSL services, ensuring children develop age-appropriate listening, speaking, and literacy skills. To date, the foundation has allocated over $500 million toward improving outcomes for children with hearing loss and their families.

For more information about the work of the Oberkotter Foundation and its initiatives, visit www.oberkotterfoundation.org.