International Cochlear Implant Day, February 25, 2024

Cochlear implant, CI, is a life-changing technology that can provide a sense of sound to individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. A CI is a medical device that bypasses damaged structures in the inner ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve, allowing sounds' perception. The system comprises an external portion that sits behind the ear and a second portion surgically implanted under the skin. The first CI was performed by William House in 1961. The FDA approved it for adults in the 1980s and in 1990 for children. 1+ Million individuals worldwide have received implants, with about 60,000 new implants annually. They have evolved significantly over the years, becoming smaller, more effective, and with better sound quality. The earliest devices provided a single channel of sound; modern CIs can have over 20 channels, allowing for a much richer hearing experience. Alternatives to CI include hearing aids, which are typically used for less severe hearing loss, and other assistive listening devices. For those who are not candidates for CI or who choose not to have them, sign language and lip-reading are valuable communication methods. Access to CIs is limited in developing countries, primarily because of their price, starting at 30k USD, along with the costs of surgery, support post-implant, and shortage of otolaryngology and audiology services. Which innovation could we develop that could be deployed there? Wikipedia: https://bit.ly/3T8RmkG Art&Text🫶ChatGPT.