Title: The Cochlear Implant: Past, Present, and Future
Speaker: Jim Patrick, Chief Scientist from Cochlear Limited
Date: September 25, 2013; 12-1 PM
Room: LeFrak Hall Room 2208
Abstract:
The cochlear implant is today the standard of care for all with a bilateral severe to profound hearing loss. This presentation will review the research that was conducted despite scepticism from both research and medical communities and the research that led to Regulatory approval and early clinical acceptance. It will describe the improvements in patient benefit and ease of use of the implant system that have happened since the first “proof of concept” body-worn processor provided an awareness of sound and help with lip reading. This has involved the application of several generations of integrated circuit enhancements and the knowledge gained from continuing research into the electrical stimulation of the auditory system. Today, congenitally deaf children are implanted while they are very young and able to develop language at the same rate and consequently have the same opportunities as their normal hearing peers. Adults with progressive hearing loss who receive implants maintain social contact and enjoy normal quality of life.
But the implant of today does not provide normal hearing, and this presentation will describe research that will lead to future enhancements.
