The American Academy of Audiology Presents the Marion Downs Award for Excellence in Pediatric Audiology to Oberkotter Foundation's Senior Vice President of Innovation, Jace Wolfe, Ph.D., CCC-A Français

Dr. Wolfe is recognized with the prestigious award for his exceptional contributions to pediatric audiology and the impact his work has made on the profession

PHILADELPHIA, March 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Jace Wolfe, Ph.D., CCC-A, Senior Vice President of Innovation at the Oberkotter Foundation, has been awarded the 2025 Marion Downs Award for Excellence in Pediatric Audiology by the American Academy of Audiology. The award was presented during the American Academy of Audiology's annual conference, the largest gathering of hearing and balance healthcare professionals in the world.

As an audiologist and a leader in the field of pediatric audiology, Dr. Wolfe's research, teaching, and clinical service have had a significant impact on pediatric audiology worldwide, particularly in delivering coordinated audiology and Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) intervention to young children and their families.

Dr. Wolfe joined the Oberkotter Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping families ensure their children who are deaf or hard of hearing have opportunities to reach their full potential through listening and spoken language, in 2023 as Senior Vice President of Innovation. In this role, Dr. Wolfe leads the Oberkotter Foundation's Science and Innovation initiatives to advance and inform the science of hearing loss, translating science into practice to improve Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) and literacy outcomes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing nationwide.

"Dr. Wolfe's dedication to family-centered pediatric audiology is an inspiration. He has made it his life's work to ensure all children have access to sound, knowing how critical it is for early childhood development," said Teresa H. Caraway, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of the Oberkotter Foundation. "His leadership, research efforts, and commitment to pediatric audiology have made a meaningful difference in listening and spoken language outcomes for children with hearing loss. This honor is well-deserved by our colleague and friend, and we are privileged to call him our teammate."

Prior to joining the Oberkotter Foundation, Dr. Wolfe spent two decades serving families and leading a team of clinical audiologists. He played a key role in creating collaborative partnerships within the industry to advance hearing technology and audiological practices for children and adults.

Earlier this month, the Oberkotter Foundation announced the formation of its Scientific Council for Childhood Hearing, a new initiative dedicated to analyzing the science of listening, language, and literacy for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Dr. Wolfe serves as the Council Chair.

"It is a tremendous honor to receive this award. I am humbled to be recognized in the same company as past recipients and to be standing on the shoulders of industry giants, such as Marion Downs," said Dr. Wolfe. "I'm proud to work among the dedicated people within this industry who work tirelessly for children with hearing loss to reach the positive outcomes we know are not just possible but probable today. I couldn't be more excited for all the possibilities that lie ahead for the field of pediatric audiology."

About the Oberkotter Foundation
The Oberkotter Foundation helps families ensure their children who are deaf or hard of hearing have opportunities to reach their full potential through Listening and Spoken Language (LSL).

The Foundation is committed to advancing science and innovation that will improve access to quality audiological and LSL services for children with hearing loss so that they develop age-appropriate listening, talking, and literacy skills. Since 1985, the Foundation has provided over $500 million in funding to improve listening, spoken language, and literacy outcomes for children with hearing loss and their families.

For more information about the Oberkotter Foundation, visit www.oberkotterfoundation.org. 

SOURCE Oberkotter Foundation