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Design
and technology
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1.
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How
might a cochlear implant empower a person who loses
their hearing? |
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2.
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What
is the alternative view by the Deaf community of
cochlear implants? |
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3.
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Name
another product or system that empowers deaf people.
How does it improve their opportunities? |
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4.
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Do
you think all children should learn sign language
at school? Why? |
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5.
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What
skills and resources did each of the partners bring
to the Cochlear project? |
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6.
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Suggest
how good communication between the partners in a
joint venture could be ensured. |
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7.
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In
a joint venture, how could a partner making a greater
contribution be assured of receiving a greater reward
than a partner who made a smaller contribution? |
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8.
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What
services does Cochlear provide to its clients? |
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9.
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Name
another product for which a network of service providers
exists. |
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10.
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Discuss
the opportunities for innovators in providing services
to an ageing population. |
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11.
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Design
a device to alert a deaf person that a visitor is
at their front door. |
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12.
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Debate:
Cochlear implants are suitable for all deaf people.
See http://www.zak.co.il/deaf-info/old/ci-opinions.html
for opinions. |
Engineering studies
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1.
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Investigate
other types of cochlear implants. Compare and contrast
the social and economic advantages and disadvantages
of each. Compare the differences in materials used
in other cochlear implants. |
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2.
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Discuss
the impact of cochlear implants on people's lives. |
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3.
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Classify
and identify the materials used in the Nucleus®
24 Contour. Compare the macrostructure and properties
of these materials. See table.
| Part |
Classification |
Material
name |
General
properties |
Specific
properties |
| Casing |
Metal |
Titanium |
Strength,
non corrosive |
lightness |
| Coil |
|
|
|
|
| Insulation |
|
|
|
|
| etc |
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|
|
|
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4.
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Write
an engineering report on the role of the bio-engineer
in cochlear implant technology. |
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5.
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Discuss,
with the aid of diagrams and freehand sketches,
the manufacture of wire suitable for the electrodes
used in a cochlear implant. |
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6.
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a)
Explain the differences between the extrusion
and drawing processes.
b) Develop neat sketches illustrating the microstructures
resulting from the extrusion and drawing processes.
c)
Compare the differences in mechanical properties
that would result from hot and cold drawing of
wire. You should refer to the differences in microstructures
to aid your explanation.
d) Explain and justify whether a cold-worked or
a hot-worked wire would be best suited to the
cochlear implant electrode component.
|
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7.
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Write
a report discussing why the cochlear implant was
not developed for human use prior to the 1970s. |
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8.
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Trace
the development in materials used to manufacture
hearing aids. |
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9.
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Discuss
how changes in technology have advanced the development
of hearing aids. |
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10.
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Discuss
in detail the social, environmental and cultural
effects as they apply to hearing aid developments
as a result of technological change in engineering.
Include as part of your research sketches to support
your response. |
Information
processes and technology
Information systems
| 1. |
For
a cochlear implant system, diagrammatically represent
the information system.
(BOS, 1999:14) |
| 2. |
Distinguish
between, and categorise activities within a cochlear
implant system, in terms of the seven information
processes. |
| 3. |
For
a cochlear implant system, identify the people
who are:
- in
the environment
- users
of the information system
- participants
in the information system.
|
| 4. |
Identify
the data in the cochlear implant system and the
information that it is transformed. |
| 5. |
Represent
diagrammatically the flow of data and information
through a cochlear implant system. Identify the
information processes. |
| 6. |
Describe
how the data used by a cochlear implant system is
digitised by the hardware that collects it. |
| 7. |
Given
the new developments in communications technology
is hearing impairment the same disability today
as yesterday? |
| 8. |
Compare
and contrast teleconferencing and messaging systems
for hearing and hearing impaired individuals. |
Social
and ethical issues
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9.
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Discuss
the social and ethical issues of the cost of and
access to the cochlear implant. |
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10.
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Debate
the following topic:
Allocation
of public funding to projects such as cochlear
implants is inappropriate given the advances
in communications technology that place less
emphasis on audio data.
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11.
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Identify
the key arguments from the Deaf community in support
of a Deaf culture. |
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12.
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Many
of the multimedia programs and activities on the
Internet combine audio and video data. How has the
development of the cochlear implant impacted on
the use of such technologies for the hearing impaired?
|
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13.
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Is
it possible for the hearing impaired to fully participate
in computer technology based communication systems?
Explain your answer. |
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14.
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A
cochlear implant involves invasive surgery. Describe
two social and ethical considerations faced by parents
who consent to the installation of this information
system in a young child. |
Research
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15.
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Research
the effectiveness of the cochlear implant when using
audio technology such as teleconferencing. Is there
distortion or interference? Are there disadvantages
to its use in these situations? |
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16.
|
Research
future directions for cochlear implant information
systems. |
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17.
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Cochlear
information systems are generally only performed
on individuals whose auditory nerve is intact. Propose
a method by which a cochlear implant system could
be designed to meet changing needs. |
Further reading
AAD (2001) Policy on Cochlear implants. Australian
Association of the Deaf Inc. (AAD) www.aad.org.au/cochlear.htm,
20.2.01.
Ackhurst, S. (1989) Broken silence, Collins Publishers,
Melbourne.
Beister, C. and Morgan, C. (2000) Deaf culture, deaf
community and education, Education December 11,
p. 23.
Clark, G. (2000) Sounds from silence: Graeme
Clark and the bionic ear story, Allen & Unwin, Sydney.
Epstein, J. (1989) The story of the bionic ear,
Hyland House, Melbourne.
Renew, R. (1996) Making
it, Innovation and success in Australia's industries,
Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.
Special Education Directorate (2001) The Internet
- Curbs, cuts or speed bumps for those with disabilities?,
Special Education Directorate, NSW Department of Education
and Training. www.schools.nsw.edu.au:80/text.cgi/staff/F2.0/tilt/info/special7.htm.
22/2/01.
Links
Deaf
community
Australian Association
of the Deaf
Deaf
Youth Online
Ethics
http://www.health.gov.au/nhmrc/publicat/humans/part1.htm#Import
Technology
Cochlear Pty Ltd
East Melbourne
Hearing Research Centre (Bionic Ear Institute, Cochlear
Implant Clinic, CRC for Hearing and Communication Research)
NOVA.
Australian Academy of Science
Australian
and European standards
FDA: US
regulations for medical devices
Medical Device Agency, UK: information on CE marking
and the Global Harmonisation Task Force (GHTF)
http://www.medical-devices.gov.uk/reg-guid.htm
http://www.medical-devices.gov.uk/ghtf.htm
Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australia: information
on Australian requirements, new & proposed &
GHTF
http://www.health.gov.au/tga/docs/html/deveudoc.htm
http://www.health.gov.au/tga/docs/html/dr4.htm
Other
resources
Know how
CD ROM (Powerhouse Museum)
Hearing Support Unit, NSW Department of Education and
Training
The Children's Cochlear Implant Centre (NSW).
References
AAD (2001) Policy on Cochlear implants. Australian
Association of the Deaf Inc. (AAD) www.aad.org.au/cochlear.htm,
20.2.01.
Cochlear Ltd (2001) Nucleus® 24, www.cochlear.com/rcs/cochlear/publisher/web/candidates/candidates_home_static/index.jsp,
19/2/01.
Cochlear Ltd (2000) 2000 Annual Report, Cochlear
Pty Ltd, Sydney.
Epstein, J. (1989) The story of the bionic ear,
Hyland House, Melbourne.
Renew, R. (1996) Making
it, Innovation and success in Australia's industries,
Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.
Stewart-Muirhead, E. (2000) 'Fixing' deafness: Ethical
issues in cochlear implantation, http://gpu.srv.ualberta.ca/~ethics/bb6-4fix.htm.
7/12/00.
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