Overview

In 1970 Professor Graeme Clark was made the foundation chair of the Department of Otolaryngology and research to develop the multiple channel cochlear implant began. By 1978 the first prototype was implanted in a volunteer research subject and within two years proof of principal had been achieved, justifying commercial development of the device. Now, some years later, tens of thousands of deaf children and adults around the world can hear.

A number of separate but closely interrelated organisations also developed out of this original research program. In 1974, the School of Audiology was established within the Department of Otolaryngology and the Faculty of Medicine within the University of Melbourne. Simultaneously a number of audiology clinics were established to provide audiology training opportunities for students, and improved clinical services for hearing-impaired people within Melbourne.

Initially the University Department established its own Cochlear Implant Clinic, to provide the clinical environment from which to undertake its cochlear implant research. In 1983, this clinic was expanded through support of the Victorian State Health Department, and the joint Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital/University of Melbourne Cochlear Implant Clinic was established.

In 2001 all audiology services provided by the University of Melbourne and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital were combined and the Melbourne Hearing Group established, under the leadership of Professor Richard Dowell, Head of Audiology Services, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, and Professor of Audiology and Speech Sciences at the University of Melbourne.

In 1984 The Bionic Ear Institute was established, initially to provide support to research undertaken within the Department of Otolaryngology. The Bionic Ear Institute now undertakes its own research programs, often in collaboration with the University Department of Otolaryngology. It attracts funds through public donations and support as well as via peer-review funding mechanisms, such as the Ear National Health and Medical Research Council.

In 1992, the Co-operative Research Centre for Cochlear Implant, Speech & Hearing Research was established, bringing together four core parties - The Bionic Ear Institute, The University of Melbourne, Cochlear Limited and Australian Hearing, together with a group of supporting cochlear implant clinics and schools for hearing-impaired children. In 1999, our CRC was renewed as the present Cooperative Research Centre for Cochlear Implant and Hearing Aid Innovation (CRC HEAR), dedicated to developing advanced technology in the fields of cochlear implants and hearing aids. CRC HEAR provides an essential conduit through which commercial and other end users can contribute to and gain benefits from our research programs and the research programs co-ordinated through the CRC.

Our network of research centres, clinical and teaching groups is unique and provides opportunity to undertake collaborative research and ensure world's best practice clinical services and training. Our collaboration with industry, including Cochlear Limited, add significant value to our efforts to improve hearing outcomes for deaf children and adults.

  Date Created: Thursday February 19 2004
  Last Updated:  Friday December 09 2005
  Authorised By: General Manager, The Bionic Ear Institute
  Maintainer: Webmaster, The Bionic Ear Institute
  Email: webmaster@bionicear.org
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