A braid wrapped carefully around a cochlear implant processor might seem like a small adjustment. For many cochlear implant users with curly or textured hair, though, that hairstyle can determine whether they maintain consistent access to sound throughout the day.

That reality inspired Tyler Scott, a third-year doctor of audiology student at The University of Texas at Austin, to spend the past year researching the relationship between cochlear implants and curly hair through her capstone project. By interviewing cochlear implant users and parents of children with cochlear implants, Scott explored how hair texture impacts device retention, comfort and accessibility in ways many clinical spaces often overlook. 

“I noticed a lack of information about hair and cochlear implants in the professional space,” Scott said. “I thought this was a big gap in patient care, especially for patients who have thicker and curlier hair types.”

Cochlear implants bypass the outer and middle ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. The device relies on a magnetic connection between an internal processor and an external piece resting against the scalp. For users with thick or textured hair, maintaining that connection can become difficult, causing the processor to disconnect and temporarily interrupt sound access.

“When we have curly hair, that can create a barrier between the internal and external piece,” Scott said. “The device can disconnect more often, and the person temporarily loses sound.” 

Scott says consistent access to sound remains critical for communication, learning and helping the brain process hearing. Despite those challenges, she found little research discussing how hair texture affects cochlear implant users.

Her project aimed to change that conversation. Over several months, Scott interviewed cochlear implant users with curly hair and parents navigating those experiences with their children. Through those conversations, she documented both the barriers families face and the creative solutions they developed independently.

 “We learned about different strategies like braiding around the cochlear implant or braiding it into the hair,” Scott said. “We also learned about barriers that still exist, like a lack of clinician guidance and manufacturer resources.”

One participant, content creator and hairstylist Tyanna Myers, connected with Scott through social media after Scott discovered videos documenting her daughter’s cochlear implant journey online. Myers says the project immediately resonated because her family had already spent years adapting hairstyles to help her daughter wear her devices comfortably.

“As a Black child with thick, textured hair, her experience isn’t one-size-fits-all,” Myers said. “There were moments where her devices didn’t feel secure or comfortable, and it became clear that we needed solutions that worked for her.”

Scott says hearing those lived experiences reinforced the importance of expanding patient recommendations beyond standard clinical advice.

“I wanted to find a hair-based solution for a hair-based problem,” Scott said. 

The project also challenged Scott personally. She first developed the idea in fall 2024 and spent months navigating a research process that felt unfamiliar and overwhelming at times. 

“I don’t have a strong background in research, so every step felt new to me,” Scott said. “There were moments where I considered switching topics because there wasn’t a lot of information out there.”

Ultimately, Scott stayed with the project because she believed the conversations deserved more visibility within audiology spaces. Now, she hopes her research encourages providers and cochlear implant manufacturers to think more inclusively about accessibility, comfort and representation for patients with all hair types. 

“I want patients to have recommendations that don’t compromise comfort or identity,” Scott said. 

As Scott prepares to enter the audiology field professionally, she hopes future students approach research with curiosity and creativity rather than limiting themselves to traditional expectations. 

“Pick a topic that genuinely interests you because you’re going to spend a lot of time with it,” Scott said. “Research doesn’t have to look a certain way. Let your creativity drive the questions you ask.”