Cochlear is an Australian biotechnology company listed on the ASX. The company started in 1982 when Graham Carrick received the first cochlear implant. When the implant was turned on he could hear for the first time in 17 years. This was a major break through which has lead to over 250,000 people successfully being able to hear again after the surgery. The man who invented the cochlear implant was Professor Graeme Clark. At the time he was widely criticized because the idea seemed outrageous. Professor Clark stated in an article that he almost didn't go ahead with the cochlear implant as a result of all the criticism, but he is glad he did. He was the Lead surgeon in the first ever cochlear implant and was assisted during the operation by three other professors.
Today, Cochlear have a presence in over 100 countries around the world. Although they only have direct presence in just over 20 countries, they are still seen as the leaders of the implantable hearing solutions. Their mission remains to help people live a full life by providing them with a range of hearing devices that will inevitably make their lives better.
Cochlear’s flagship product is the Nucleus 6, which has recently been upgraded to be easier and better for everyday use. The Nucleus 6 has been made and programmed with new levels of hearing capabilities. This new technology is called 'SmartSound IQ'. SmartSound IQ has been designed to give the person a superior hearing experience with the use of advanced sound processing technologies. It has also been designed to be the smallest hearing device cochlear has made, this is all made possible by the advancements in technology. There is also the added convenience of a fully wireless and waterproof design.
The device is surgically implanted under the skin behind the ear. It is then connected to a sound processor, which sits behind the ear. As this part of the device is on the outside of the body it makes it easy to perform updates and reprogramming when there is newer technology becomes available.
Cochlear to this day are still heavily invested in research and development to improve on the Nucleus 6. In October 2010, Cochlear built a new research facility to help them achieve this goal. This new building is located at the Macquarie University in Sydney. With the relocation of this business, it has made Cochlear the only integrated research-manufacture-distribution facility in Australia. Cochlear's research is mainly funded by government grants and without this funding the advancement of hearing technology would not be able to go ahead.
Here is a picture and some websites that where used during this overview:-
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/eyes/images_94067/P_cochlear-noConsole.jpg
http://www.hearing.com.au/cochlear-implants/
http://www.cochlear.com/wps/wcm/connect/au/about/cochlear-30-anniversary/cochlear-30-anniversary
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