International Cochlear Implant Day

Learned two things about cochlear implants this week, and it wasn't even Wednesday yet!

One: Happy International Cochlear Implant Day! Well, not today, but on the 25th of February. I won't be blogging on a Saturday (for now) so that's why I'm wishing it today! Apparently it has been celebrated since 2005; I definitely missed that train! Or maybe I knew and forgot about it? Anyway. The Spanish Association of Cochlear Implants initiated this special day to commemorate the exact date back in 1957 when two doctors, Djourno and Eyres, electrically stimulate the auditory nerve by placing an electrode outside the cochlear. 21 years later, Dr. Graeme Clark picked up where the Frenchmen left off and conducted the first ever cochlear implant. And the rest, as they say, is history. Thanks to the International Cochlear Implant Day fb page where I got all this info!

On to the local scene, Malaysia had its first ever cochlear recipient back in 1995! Since then the number of cochlear implant recipients has been growing rapidly throughout the country. National University of Malaysia (UKM) has the most/longest established CI program in the nation, and currently it is run by Institute-HEARS. Find more details about HEARS on their website or facebook page.

Two: I learned about Kanso, Cochlear's new product! I thought it is amazing! Just look at it:

Say goodbye to cables and BTE processors! It is all in one device as small as that! I was so fascinated with it when the Cochlear rep showed it to me. Kanso uses two small batteries (like HA size 675 batts - this could be their limitation though, it lasts only for a few days and not rechargeable. But I'm sure they'll figure something out to overcome that limitation). It's mapping cable is like the HA cable, very tiny (not like the implant batt size as before). The processing chips! Man, how do they reduce all those to fit into Kanso? It has it's water-proof casing for swimming (something or the other, didn't really ask in detail on that) and it's supposed to be sweat-friendly (I was asking how it fares with humidity).

I am not promoting this brand but more of the technology in particular. I love how human brains as gifted by Allah are so amazing to be able to think all this. This would be so appealing to the mass population, and it's exciting to know what more the future will offer for hearing health. But at the same time, audiologists will have to step up! Before long, we may not be needed at all! Erk. Fellow audiologists, let's take that as a challenge, and remember, the human touch always go a long way. :)