Outcomes of the research in the cluster:
The successful outcomes of the Hannover part of the cluster with strong translational potential into clinical practice are in several domains of research:
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1)We have helped to develop new technical solutions for prosthetic stimulation of hearing, including several improvements of the existing technology (e.g. „Hannover coupler“ for the Vibrant Soundbridge, MedEl Comp., developed by the teams of Prof. H. Maier and Prof. Th. Lenarz), but mainly participating in translational activities in developing a new stimulation device - the CODACS, a new product of Cochlear Ltd., Australia. For this product we not only helped to develop the surgical techniques (Prof. Th. Lenarz) and validated the effectiveness of the device (Prof. H. Maier), we also successfully implanted the vast majority of subjects worldwide (Prof. Th. Lenarz) and compared the outcomes to other treatments, demonstrating the advantage of this development for a certain patient group (Prof. H. Maier and Prof. A. Büchner).
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2)We have identified the mechanisms of stimulation using pulsed laser light, a technique that was introduced by a team in the US as an alternative for electrical stimulation via cochlear implants. We could demonstrate that this technique cannot be used in the deaf ears, but may have potential use in residual hearing (teams of Prof. W. Ertmer, Prof. A. Heistercamp, Prof. H. Maier and Prof. A. Kral)
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3)We have improved speech coding strategies in the cochlear implants by technical solutions and are authors of several new patents in this area (Prof. A. Büchner).
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4)We have clarified the contribution of cross-modal reorganization and cognitive adaptations to the outcomes of cochlear implants in children (Prof. A. Kral). We have suggested a new clinical syndrome (Aural preference syndrome) and clarified the neuronal mechanisms in its development (Prof. A. Kral)
