Graeme Clark Collection
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ItemThe evolution continues: the clinical trials of the SPEAK strategy in Nucleus 22 channel cochlear implant users [Abstract]( 1994)Research in the field of cochlear implants continues in centres around the world. The aim of all centres is to improve the speech perception abilities of those children and adults fitted with a cochlear implant. Most recently the work of Hugh McDermott and Colette McKay (Melbourne University, Department of Otolaryngology) in developing and researching the SMSP (Spectral Maxima Sound Processor) has greatly enhanced the speech understanding abilities of a number of subjects implanted with the Nucleus 22 Channel Cochlear Implant.
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ItemComparison of current speech coding strategies( 1993)This paper reports on two studies carried out at the University of Melbourne jointly with Cochlear Pty Ltd. The studies demonstrated substantial speech perception improvements over the current Multipeak strategy in background noise.
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ItemA "Combionic Aid": Combined speech processing for a cochlear implant in one ear and speech processing hearing aid in the other ear [Abstract]( 1993)Independent use of a cochlear implant in one ear and a hearing aid in the other is not acceptable for many implant users with some residual hearing. Psychophysical evidence suggests that there are substantial interactions between acoustic and electrical signals including masking and loudness summation. These effects may contribute to the difficulty in using two independent devices and it is desirable to control the parameters of the electrical and acoustical signals far more accurately than is possible with two independent devices with separate microphones. In order to achieve this control we have developed a Combionic aid incorporating an implant and an 'in1planlcompatible' hearing aid controlled from the same speech processor. The new processor is particularly flexible and can implement a wide variety of speech processing strategies for combined acoustic and electrical stimulation. A benchtop prototype has been tested with five patients using a range of different speech tests. In general, patients do better when they use acoustic and electrical information simultaneously than they do with either alone. Some patients on some tests perform significantly better with the bimodal aid than they do with independent hearing aids and implant processors worn together. Wearable devices have now been built and evaluations of these devices are continuing.
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ItemCombined electrical and acoustical stimulation using a bimodal prosthesis( 1993)A new device incorporating a cochlear implant speech processor and a speech-processing hearing aid for the un-implanted ear has been designed and tested with four severely hearing-impaired patients. The aim of the device is to provide a more acceptable and effective combination of electrical and acoustic signals to the two ears. When used monaurally, and binaurally in conjunction with the cochlear implant, the speech-processing hearing aid mean scores for open-set sentences, words, and consonants were as good as or better than the mean scores for the patients' own conventional hearing aids. Some patients improved much more than did others. Although not conclusive, these results are encouraging, especially as they were achieved with a laboratory prototype that did not allow the patients to become accustomed to the processor in everyday situations.
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ItemMultichannel cochlear implantation in children: a summary of current work at The University of Melbourne( 1991)This paper summarizes research work relating to multichannel cochlear implantation in children at the University of Melbourne. Ongoing safety studies relating to the implantation of young children are discussed. Results of these studies suggest that special design considerations are necessary for a prosthesis to be implanted in children under the age of 2 years. Results of clinical assessment of implanted children and adolescents are also discussed in terms of speech perception, speech production, and language development, and some possible predictive factors are suggested. Preliminary data suggests that a high proportion of young children can achieve open-set speech perception with the cochlear implant given appropriate training and support. Initial results with adults using new speech processing hardware and a new coding scheme are also presented. These suggest that improved speech perception in quiet and competing noise is possible with the new system.
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ItemPreliminary results with a miniature speech processor for the 22-electrode Melbourne/Cochlear hearing prosthesis(Kugler & Ghedini, 1990)The 22-electrode cochlear prosthesis developed by the University of Melbourne in conjunction with Cochlear Pty Ltd has been used successfully by profoundly deaf patients since 1982 and is now a part of everyday life for some 2000 people in many countries around the world. The implanted part of the prosthesis has remained relatively unchanged in this time except for the alteration of the design in 1986 to incorporate an implanted magnet and reduce the overall thickness of the device. The implanted magnet eliminated the need for wire headsets which were difficult to fit and in some cases did not maintain the position of the external transmitter coil adequately. This was felt to be essential before the prosthesis could be used in young children.