The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) seeks public comments on its draft strategic plan for 2012-2016. The NIDCD supports and conducts research and research training in the areas of hearing and balance; smell and taste; and voice, speech, and language. The Strategic Plan serves as a guide to the NIDCD in prioritizing its research investment, illustrates the current state-of-the-science, and highlights recent advances in the communication sciences. The draft Plan presents a series of goals and objectives that represent the most promising research needs within the NIDCD’s mission areas.