The UM Cochlear Implant Center was established in 1990 by Thomas Balkany, M.D. Balkany came to the University of Miami Department of Otolaryngology with extensive implant experience having implanted over 100 patients in Colorado and abroad since 1979. Annelle Hodges, Ph.D. joined the team in 1992 from the University of Virginia, where she had been working with implants since 1983. Balkany and Hodges each brought extensive experience with both the older single channel cochlear implants as well as the new computerized multi-channel implants that had entered the market in the mid 1980s.

Today, in addition to Balkany and Hodges, the Implant Team consists of Fred Telischi, M.D, Simon Angeli, M.D., Adrien Eshraghi, M.D., six audiologists, two auditory verbal therapists, a speech pathologist, seven research scientists, and has provided services to more than 1,000 implant users. The UM Cochlear Implant Program is now established as one of the leading international centers for cochlear implant research, patient care and medical training in the world.