Temporal Bone Anatomy and Function
The temporal bone is divided functionally into the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear (Figure 1). As sound enters the ear, it travels through the external auditory canal, vibrates the tympanic membrane and middle ear bones (also called ossicles) (Figure 2), and then is translated into a neural impulse by the inner ear. As…
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…
