MATERIALS AUSTRALIA
VIC Branch Report - 25th Annual Technologists' Picnic 25th Annual Technologists' Picnic “Cochlear Implants Present and Future” Cochlear Implants: Past, Present and: Past, Future Guest Speaker: Claire Hartmann
Guest Speaker: Claire Hartmann
Date: 24th November 2023
The 25th Annual Technologists Picnic was held recently. As always, the Technologists’ Picnic included members from the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, the Australian Foundry Institute, Materials Australia, Engineers Australia, and the Australasian Corrosion Association. Attendees were treated to a very interesting and detailed presentation on the history of cochlear implants by Claire Hartmann. Claire is a Graduate Engineer working at the Bionics Institute, which was founded by Professor Graeme Clark, the developer of the first successful multichannel cochlear implant.
Claire discussed the research that Gary Bunn presents Claire Hartmann with a symbol of gratitude on behalf of the participants. guided the development of the first Gary Bunn presents Claire Hartmann with a symbol of gratitude on behalf of the participan successfully implanted cochlear presentation from a Biomedical questions and discussion later in the device in Melbourne in 1978, as well evening. Engineer and gave the attendees The 25th Annual Technologists Picnic eventually went ahead despite various as important aspects of the device’s an insight into a different area of Claire went on to explain improvements who persevered were richly rewarded design. Cochlear implants are known changes in date and venue. Those of us technological development happening to cochlear implants over the withmade a very interesting and detailed presentation on the history of cochlear worldwide as a life changing device in Australia. years, the directions of current research for people with severe to profound implants by Claire Hartmann. Claire Graduate Engineer working at the to continue to improve performance into is aClaire was loudly applauded for hearing loss who wish to improve Bionics Institute, which founded by Professor Graeme Clark, the future and the ways inwas which this her excellent presentation. She the developer their understanding of verbal research has led to the development of wasimplant. then asked many questions by communication. A key section of Claire'sthe first successful multichannel cochlear treatments for a range of neurological representatives of the five talk was a review of hearing function Claire discussed the research that guided the development ofparticipating first successfully and chronic conditions. groups that had come from Melbourne, and how our brains process the sounds implanted cochlear device in Melbourne in 1978, as well as important aspects o Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat. The evening's talk was the first around us, leading to some interesting
Claire delivered a very informative and insightful presentation.
the device’s design. Cochlear implants are known worldwide as a life changing device for people with severe to profound hearing loss who wish to improve th understanding of verbal communication. A key section of the Claire’s talk was a review of hearing function and how our brains process the sounds around us, leading to some interesting questions and discussion later in the evening. Claire went onto explain improvements made to cochlear implants over the years, the directions of current research to continue to improve performance i the future and the ways in which this research has led to the development of treatments for a range of neurological and chronic conditions. The evening's talk was the first presentation from a Biomedical Engineer and gave the attendees an insight into a different area of the technological development happening in Australia. Claire was loudly applauded for her excellent presentation She was then asked many questions by representatives of the five participating groups that had com from Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat. Claire was then presented with fluid expression of appreciation by the convenor, Gary Bunn.
A capacity audience thoroughly enjoyed another annual technologists' picnic.
18 | DECEMBER 2023
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