Technology & Research

Technology

A cochlear implant is designed to provide electrical stimulation to the auditory nerve, by-passing the hair cells in the cochlea that are damaged or absent for individuals with sensorineural hearing loss. 

The function of the cochlear implant is to use this electrical stimulation to provide individuals who have severe to profound sensorineural hearing losses with an auditory signal that they can interpret as sound. 

It is a prosthetic hearing device, not a hearing aid. A hearing aid amplifies sound and utilizes the hearing mechanisms of normal hearing. A cochlear implant does not amplify sounds like a hearing aid, but rather by-passes the middle ear and the inner ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve.

Research

An integral part of the Koss Cochlear Implant Program is the interaction between clinical practitioners and researchers. This is done by asking important clinical questions, developing hypotheses and systematic studies, sharing research findings with staff, and incorporating study results into clinical practice when appropriate. It's a process that involves people, ideas, environment, resources, and energy.

The staff of the Koss Clinical and Research Cochlear Implant Program follows 500 pediatric and adult patients, participates in clinical trials, and has over 20 research studies underway. A strong clinical program that serves the needs of pediatric and adult patients is at the core of the research program, and researchers at the center have direct interactions with implant recipients and their families, as well as with the staff who meet the clinical needs of patients.

The research team joins the clinical team monthly to discuss new and ongoing projects. When a new study is in development, investigators may seek the input of clinicians regarding research questions, data collection, or availability of subjects.  Both staff groups participate in discussions that often lead to an expansion or a refinement of ongoing and future projects.

Publications involve both the researchers and the clinical staff.