Dec. 2 seminar will explore the technical, medical and social implications of cochlear implants

Dec. 2 seminar will explore the technical, medical and social implications of cochlear implantsNovember 15, 2005Kelly Homan Rodoskikahoman@syr.edu

Cochlear implants are bionic interfaces with the auditory nervous system that provide “electronic hearing” for more than 100,000 profoundly deaf people around the world, with a much greater potential user population. Even with emerging technology and advocacy for greater use, some members of the deaf community believe that the deaf and their parents are not always adequately informed of the alternatives to implant surgery, such as sign language, deaf culture and a community in deafness.

A seminar at Syracuse University on Dec. 2 will explore the technical, medical and sociological aspects of cochlear implants. The seminar, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 1-2 p.m. in Room 369 of Link Hall. Parking is available in the University’s paid visitor lots. A sign language interpreter and communication access realtime translation (CART) will be available.

The presenters include Robert L. Smith, professor of biomedical and chemical engineering at SU and director of SU’s Institute for Sensory Research (ISR); Michael A. Schwartz, assistant professor of law, director of SU’s Public Interest Law Firm and a member of the deaf community; and Charles I. Woods, M.D., clinical assistant professor of otolaryngology and communication sciences at the SUNY Health Science Center and an affiliated member of the ISR.

A dialogue will follow to exemplify the interplay between technology, medicine and social culture that is necessary in order to effectively respond to the needs of the deaf. For more information on the seminar, contact Smith at (315) 443-4164.