Co-Directors, New York Eye & Ear Cochlear Implant Center

Simon C. Parisier, MD, Co-Director


Simon C. Parisier founded The Children's Hearing Institute with his wife Elaine. He is Professor of Otolaryngology at New York Medical College. He is a graduate of the Boston University School of Medicine and completed his residency in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center where he became Clinical Professor and Chief of Otology-Neurotology. While Chairman of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at Manhattan Eye Ear Throat Hospital, Dr. Parisier spearheaded an innovative Conjoint Ear, Nose and Throat Residency training Program sponsoring residents at four New York medical centers. This program was cited by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 20 in the country.

Dr. Parisier ranks among the pioneers in the development of cochlear implants and related operative techniques that effectively restore hearing to infants, children and adults afflicted with profound neuro-sensory deafness. He is also a leader in the field of chronic middle ear infections and ear diseases. His research on the cellular biology of cholesteatoma has led to a clearer understanding of this destructive benign cyst that can destroy healthy inner ear bones as it grows. Author of more than 120 publications and a member of numerous professional societies, Dr. Parisier has been recognized by the American Academy of Otolaryngology (Award of Merit) and the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (Distinguished Service Award). He is consistently cited in New York Magazine's annual Best Doctors issue, where he has been called a "Hearing Hero."

Publications authored by Dr. Parisier

Ronald A. Hoffman, MD, Co-Director


Ronald A. Hoffman is Director of Otology at Beth Israel Medical Center and Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, completed his residency in Otolaryngology at New York University Medical Center and a fellowship in Otology-Neurotology at Lenox Hill Hospital. He has served as the Director of Otology and Neurotology at Lenox Hill Hospital and New York University Medical Center. Dr. Hoffman is the recipient of the prestigious Mosher Award for Excellence in Clinical Research given by the American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society and has published extensively on diseases of the ear and in particular on cochlear implants. He has been recognized by New York magazine in its "Best Doctors" issue.

In 2000, when Dr. Hoffman implanted a 46-year-old deaf and blind computer programmer with a second, bilateral cochlear implant, the patient became one of the first persons in the U.S. to receive the assistance of binaural technology in localizing sound and hearing. The recipient's extensive evaluation in conjunction with a MIT/Boston University research team resulted in new test strategies for evaluating bilaterally implanted patients that are now in use across the country.

Publications authored by Dr. Hoffman

Jane R. Madell, PhD, CCCA/SLP, Cert-AVT, Co-Director


Jane R. Madell is Director of The Hearing, Speech, Language & Learning Center at Beth Israel Medical Center and Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Madell has been a pediatric audiologist for more than 30 years. She received her bachelor's degree from Emerson College in Boston and her Masters and Doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Dr. Madell is nationally renowned for her work with young children who have severe profound hearing loss, selection and management of hearing aids and cochlear implants, evaluation of difficult-to-evaluate children, including children with autism and other development disabilities, and evaluation and management of children with auditory processing disorders. Dr. Madell has written two books, 17 book chapters and numerous journal articles. She is a frequent speaker to professional and parent groups.

Publications authored by Dr. Madell