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Today's cochlear implants are significantly smaller and can typically be implanted in an hour instead of three or four hours. They are also more biocompatible, reliable and effective than ever before. "This technology is advancing as fast as the iPhone," says Dr. Megerian. "Today's cochlear implants are waterproof. They are significantly smaller and can typically be implanted in an hour instead of three or four hours. Like all computer-based devices, we are benefiting from minia- turization. These implants are also more biocompatible, reliable and effective than ever before." Active researchers as well as clinicians, Dr. Megerian and his colleagues recently demonstrated the success of cochlear implantation in far advanced otosclerosis using cutting edge surgical techniques. The study was presented at the 115th Annual Meeting of the prestigious Triological Society. "I am really proud that we are hitting on all cylinders here, not only clinically but academically, as well," he says. Comprehensive Care Although the American Speech- Language-Hearing Association has guidelines for hearing screening in adults, Dr. Murray says few practitioners follow them. "Our goal is to see this happen in clini- cal practice," says Dr. Murray. "One of the initiatives that we would like to establish within our primary care community is that hearing, like blood pressure and vision, is something that is screened periodically throughout life." In an effort to promote hearing healthcare in the community, the Center accepts referrals from all specialties and self-referrals. The UH network of computer applications for hearing aid programming and cochlear implant programming allows patients to access the same highly specialized services in any one of seven offices throughout the region. While the program is equipped to manage all types of hearing-impaired patients, Dr. Murray says they are particularly proud of their expertise in working with pediatric and special needs patients. "We consider our expertise to be in the area where patients are most challenging," she says. "This would include the medically complex, medically compromised, pediatric, patients with developmental delays or syndromes 28 | Cleveland/Akron/Canton MD NEWS s MDNEWS.COM s NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012 associated with hearing impairment. This is really our niche." Because hearing evaluation at UH is not limited by head size or anatomical anomalies, Dr. Murray says referring doctors may turn to UH when facing particularly complex cases or when they lack the equipment to do specialty testing. "We recognize that it is not enough to restore hearing through technology," says Dr. Murray. "That is why we are not just focused on 'hearing', but on every aspect of a patient's life. That is what makes our program stand out." For more informat ion about The Audiology and Cochlear Implant Center of University Hospitals Ear Nose & Throat Institute, visit www.UHhospitals.org/ent. To refer a patient, call 216-844-6000. s PHOTO © JOE SMITHBERGER, SMITHBERGER PHOTOGRAPHY, NORTH CANTON