Strong Presence of the Temporal Bone Network at ARO 2026 in Puerto Rico

We were thrilled to see such a strong presence of the temporal bone community at the 2026 midwinter meeting of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO), held this February in Puerto Rico. The meeting provided an energizing backdrop for collaboration, scientific exchange, and renewed momentum for temporal bone research.

This year, temporal bone laboratories from across the country were well represented, including:

• University of Minnesota

• Massachusetts Eye and Ear

• Johns Hopkins University

• University of California, Los Angeles

• Stanford University

Together, these laboratories presented an impressive series of podium presentations and posters highlighting major advances in otopathology, cochlear and vestibular biology, implant-related pathology, and translational hearing research. The breadth of topics reflected not only the depth of expertise within each lab, but also the collaborative spirit that defines the temporal bone research network.

A particularly meaningful moment came during the Presidential Symposium, where Amy Poremba from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) highlighted the importance of the national temporal bone network. She emphasized several key initiatives that continue to strengthen the field, including the temporal bone donation program and EarBase, the centralized temporal bone database that facilitates data sharing and collaborative discovery.

The recognition of these initiatives at a presidential-level session underscores the growing visibility and importance of human temporal bone research within the broader auditory and vestibular science community. Sustained support for donation programs, infrastructure, and shared databases is essential to advancing our understanding of hearing and balance disorders—and ultimately improving patient care.

Beyond the formal presentations, ARO 2026 offered valuable opportunities for discussion, mentorship, and new collaborations. Investigators, trainees, and clinician-scientists gathered to exchange ideas, compare methodologies, and explore future multi-institutional projects. The strong showing from temporal bone laboratories reflects a vibrant and forward-moving field.

We are proud to be part of this collaborative network and grateful for the continued commitment of our colleagues across institutions. The energy from Puerto Rico will undoubtedly carry forward into new discoveries in the years ahead.