News

Congratulations Manchester Cochlear Implant Programme!

The Manchester CI Programme has reason for a double celebration. Whilst celebrating their 20th Anniversary in June this year, surgeon Richard Ramsden and team carried out the 1000th cochlear implantation.  The fortunate recipient was 2 year old Tilly, who received an Advanced Bionics Harmony implant.   A special party was held at Old Trafford to celebrate the centre’s achievements, and all the centre’s patients and staff were invited along.  Advanced Bionics’ Area Director, Tiziano Caldera, was delighted to attend the party and presented Tilly with the new AB company mascot, along with a special Bionic Buddy soft toy, dressed in the Manchester United football strip for the occassion.

 The Harmony device has now been implanted in more than 3000 patients worldwide and its benefits are clear.  The processor captures the widest dynamic range of sounds and is able to automatically adjust the levels for comfort so there is no need for complicated processor switches or controls.  Harmony runs the new sound processing strategy “HiRes120”, which uses current steering technology to stimulate 120 places along the auditory nerve.  Research has shown the combination of Harmony and HiRes120 to improve sound perception for users, particularly for music and for hearing in difficult listening situations such as noisy restaurants. 

 According to Tilly’s parents, Tilly has become a different little girl since receiving her implant and now ‘chatters away all the time” enjoying her new world of sound.