Overview

Welcome to the Bionic Ear Institute website.

The Bionic Ear Institute is home to some of Australia’s finest scientists and research staff. Established in 1983, we are an independent, non-profit, medical research organisation. Our aims are to give deaf children and adults the opportunity to participate as fully as possible in the hearing world and to find new ways to restore brain function.

Based in Melbourne, the Institute has an international reputation for scientific rigour and research excellence. Bionic Ear research began in the late 1960s at The University of Melbourne and this important relationship continues with the many of our staff working alongside Department of Otolaryngology researchers. The Institute is formally affiliated to the University.

A close working relationship with the Cochlear Implant Clinic means we have ongoing contact with surgeons, audiologists and other hearing professionals as well as Bionic Ear users themselves. This means we are in constant contact with people who can give immediate feedback on the research based on their personal experience.

Other strengths include our strong multidisciplinary team, a track record of successful spin-off companies, freedom from commercial constraints and our overriding commitment to patient safety and wellbeing.

The Institute values collaborations with other leading research organisations both in Australia and overseas. The Bionic Ear Institute is Managing Agent for the Co-operative Research Centre for Cochlear Implant and Hearing Aid Innovation and accredited by the NHMRC as an independent research institute.

The Bionic Ear Institute was led by founding director Laureate Professor Emeritus Graeme Clark, shown here (right) receiving an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Society of Medicine in London late last year. The award was made in recognition of his achievement in pioneering the world's first multi-channel Bionic Ear. Other recipients have included Louis Pasteur, Charles Darwin, Sigmund Freud, Ernest Rutherford and Howard Florey.

 

  Date Created: Thursday February 19 2004
  Last Updated:  Tuesday July 29 2008
  Authorised By: General Manager, The Bionic Ear Institute
  Maintainer: Webmaster, The Bionic Ear Institute
  Email: webmaster@bionicear.org
  Copyright © The Bionic Ear Institute