Following a career as a teacher of  the deaf, Sue Archbold managed Nottingham Cochlear Implant Program from its inception in 1989 until 2004. There she established a comprehensive database to monitor progress and outcomes, and developed innovative measures of real life benefit, using qualitative research techniques. Following this, she became CEO of The Ear Foundation, leading a team of support, research, education and services for cochlear implant users of all ages and their families. Sue has published and lectured widely on this work, focusing on CI benefits and challenges in real life, and using research to influence policy and practice. She gained her PhD, cum laude, from Nijmegen University on Deaf Education: Changed by cochlear Implantation and was honored with a Hon Doctor of Letters from Nottingham University for her work in CI. Sue remains passionate about improving access to the best possible services for all with hearing loss and is part of the Core Working Group of WHO’s World Hearing Forum and Coordinator of CIICA, the CI International Community of Action.