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Alessandro Volta discovered the electrolytic cell (battery). Why is this important?: He stimulated the auditory system electrically by connecting a battery (about 50 V) to two metal rods and inserted them in his ears. From this, he was able to hear some sound.
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Discovered that the cochlea is the site of stimulation for sound. How did they do it?: They surgically removed other parts of the ear (such as the tympanic membrane) and found that a patient could still hear.
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Research on how sound is understood improved: they realized that the middle ear creates mechanical vibrations for sound.
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From 1950-1966, extensive research was conducted with volunteer patients that gives insight into how we hear.
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In the 1960's, Dr. William House implanted several devices in totally deaf volunteer patients. These each worked for a short time. Dr. House worked with engineer Jack Urban to develop the cochlear implant.
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The first speech processor was developed to interface with the House 3M single-electrode implant More than 1,000 people were implanted from 1972 into the 1980's.
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In the 1980's several hundred children were implanted with the cochlear implant.
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FDA formally approves the marketing of the 3M House cochlear implant.
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Australia develops multiple channel devices. This is called "Nucleus multi-channel cochlear implant."
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The FDA officially approves the use of the Nucleus Cochlear Implant for adults.
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1000th patient is implanted
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The first cochlear implant system to gain approval for use by children
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10,000th patient is implanted
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First cochlear implant company to offer a ten-year warrenty.
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First Nucleus 24 implant system
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20,000th patient implanted
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Nucleus 24 Contour is the first implant approved for children 12 months and older.
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First BTE processor with built-in telecoil and whisper setting.
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First Nucleus Freedom implant system with SmartSound First water resistant sound processor First multi-microphone sound processor
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80,000th patient implanted
