Distinguished Professor Graeme Clark explains in a video news release what his new research in bionic ear technology at La Trobe involves.

Bionic Ear launch 17th December 2008 transcript

Graeme:

This is the actual implant I put into Rod Saunders just over thirty years ago.

Narration:

It's been thirty years since Professor Graeme Clark first received proof that a deaf person could be helped to understand speech, so he brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience to establish the Graeme Clark Hearing and Neuroscience Unit at La Trobe University.

Graeme:

To actually have made the major breakthrough in helping deaf children and adults communicate in the last two hundred years is a bit awe inspiring.

Tony:

Professor Clarke will have a major impact on the institute in terms of the direction the research is going to take. He has a vast knowledge of the cochlear and the auditory system, and in particular how to implement bionic devices to the auditory system. And one of the areas that we're going to develop is a hi-fi bionic ear. And I've worked with Professor Graeme Clark for fourteen years and it's going to be a great opportunity for us to continue to work together in developing this device further.

Narration:

This next generation of implants will deliver a richer texture and more dynamic hearing experience, improving speech and music processing

Graeme:

I hope it's going to make a big difference to the way in which we look at communication disorders, I think it's going to hopefully open up a new era whereby we can combine an understanding of communication disorders in the broader sense, by looking firstly at the brain physiology, the way the brain cells work, so we can learn more about how the brain cells communicate with perceptual senses and then give us speech.

Tony:

The type of research that we're going to be doing here ranges from using sophisticated neural brain recording techniques to looking at more cognitive and higher level brain processing mechanisms involved in language and hearing and speech. So initially we will look at developing an auditory hi-fi cochlear implant, and this cochlear implant will increase the number of channels available for cochlear implant users eventually.

Narration:

While they have achieved much in the field of hearing, speech and language, Professor Clarke believes that there are significant developments to be made in the future.

Graeme:

We've recognised where there would be a time come where we will need to get better contact with a nerves going to the brain to give finer pattern to the stimulation. That time has arrived.

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