'Bionic ear' implanted in Ferrara to treat deafness

At the Ferrara hospital of Cona it is one of the first bionic ears in Italy has been installed. The smart cochlear implant surgery was performed on a 50 year old woman resident in the province of Ferrara from the team of Otorhinolaryngology directed by Professor Stefano Pelucchi. The operation, conducted by Dr. Michela Borin, introduces an innovative technology in the treatment of deafness. The device stands out for being the first implant cochlear equipped with internal memory that stores the mappings specific to each patient. This feature allows a quick recovery of custom data when needed, ensuring that the patient can hear again quickly. The cochlear implant, also called "bionic ear", is a device that transforms sounds into electrical impulses sending them directly to the auditory nerve. It is composed of a internal part, implanted under the skin of the skull with electrodes that reach the inner ear, and an external part with microphones and processor that capture and digitize sounds of the environment. The new device has advanced features: it has a thickness of only 3.9 millimeters, includes a firmware upgradeable which will allow access to future innovations without new surgical interventions, and is compatible with the MRI, an important element for long-term management end of patients. "The ability to be upgradeable - explains the doctor Borin - means we are not only providing help today, but We ensure patients have continuous access to future innovations. Compatibility with magnetic resonance imaging offers Greater peace of mind and easier management for patients in the long run".