Intraoperative Fluorescence
Intraoperative fluorescence has been studied in various surgical fields to gain a better view of important structures, such as blood vessels and tumors. The House Institute Foundation’s research team used an injectable compound to enhance the identification of the tumor-nerve interface in patients undergoing vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) surgery. This technique uses light in near-infrared…
The Origins of the Cochlear Implant
One of the House Institute’s greatest research accomplishments was the development of the first cochlear implant for clinical trial by William House, MD, DDS, and Engineer Jack Urban. This is William House’s story. Electrical stimulation of the ear dates back to the early 1800s when Physicist Alesandro Volta inserted an electrode in his ear and…
Benefits of Cochlear Implantation for Single-Sided Deafness
Losing hearing in one ear can be more debilitating than many people imagine. Single-sided deafness can significantly reduce sound localization, creating confusion as to where a sound is coming from. People with single-sided deafness also have greater difficulty understanding speech, especially when someone speaks on their deaf side. Many people with single-sided deafness also experience…
Dr. Noonan in Nicaragua
Twenty years ago, a former House Fellow, Dr. James Saunders, established a nonprofit organization with the aim of improving otologic care in Nicaragua. Their mission was to develop a sustainable framework that would provide the necessary infrastructure to improve hearing-health on a national level. I had the opportunity to participate in this undertaking with the…
