PROFESSOR Graeme Clark, the man whose research has delivered hearing to 250,000 people across more than 100 countries, was last night awarded the country's top prize for biomedical research.
Professor Clark, who invented and championed the bionic ear, received the $50,000 CSL Florey Medal at a ceremony in Canberra.
But far from using the gong as a chance to reflect on a pioneering career spanning decades, the 76-year-old yesterday revealed he would head a new research project to dramatically improve the bionic ear at NICTA the ICT research centre based at Melbourne University.
As Professor Clark continues his work, the words of his friend and patient Rod Saunders will be ringing in his ears.
Mr Saunders, the first patient to undergo the multichannel cochlear implant operation at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in 1978, told Professor Clark that the device was wonderful for speech but listening to music was "shocking".
"It's like the difference between hearing a musical instrument underwater and the clear sounds that we enjoy with good hearing," Professor Clark said. "It wasn't nice melodic sounds, they were harsh."
Herein lies Professor Clark's next challenge. And while Mr Saunders, who died in 2007, won't be a beneficiary of the next-generation bionic ear, he will play a central role in its development.
After receiving the gift of sound, he reciprocated by bequeathing his body to science. Included in his donation was precious brain and ear tissue samples, which will help Professor Clark and other researchers in their quest to create high-fidelity bionic ear implants to ensure that listening to music is no longer shocking, but also improving hearing in noisy environments.
Key to creating the next generation of hi-fi implants is understanding how the bionic ear and brain interact.
"It's like we have a partial connection with the brain now and we need to get closer and that's my personal goal," Professor Clark said.
While others of his generation enjoy retirement, Professor Clark who maintains he is not "genetically engineered to wind down" is gearing up to marry the plethora of psychophysical data from Mr Saunders with the best modern technology can offer, including super computers and micro CT scans.
"There are so many different improvements in technology that are available now that wouldn't have been available then," Professor Clark said.
Awarded biennially, past winners of the Florey Medal include Nobel laureates Barry Marshall and Robin Warren for discovering that bacteria causes stomach ulcers and Ian Frazer, who developed the vaccine for cervical cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Who is Professor Graeme Clark and why did he win the CSL Florey Medal?
Professor Graeme Clark is the inventor and champion of the bionic ear (multichannel cochlear implant). He was awarded the $50,000 CSL Florey Medal for biomedical research after a career whose work has delivered hearing to about 250,000 people in more than 100 countries.
What is the bionic ear (cochlear implant) and how did it start?
The bionic ear is a multichannel cochlear implant that restores hearing by stimulating the auditory nerve. Professor Clark pioneered this technology, and the first operation at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital took place in 1978, with Rod Saunders as the first patient.
What new research will Professor Clark lead and where will it take place?
Rather than retiring, Professor Clark will head a new project at NICTA, the ICT research centre based at Melbourne University, aimed at dramatically improving the next generation of bionic ear implants.
How will the next-generation bionic ear improve music listening and hearing in noisy environments?
The research aims to create high-fidelity bionic ear implants that better reproduce melodic sounds and improve performance in noisy settings. Current implants provide clear speech but often make music sound ‘harsh’ or ‘like underwater,’ a problem the new work seeks to fix.
How are patient donations helping bionic ear research?
Rod Saunders, Professor Clark’s first implant patient, bequeathed his body to science. His brain and ear tissue samples will help researchers combine psychophysical data with anatomical information to build higher-fidelity implants.
What modern technologies will be used to develop the next-generation bionic ear?
Professor Clark plans to marry existing psychophysical data with modern tools such as supercomputers and micro CT scans to better understand ear anatomy and improve implant design.
Why is understanding the interaction between the bionic ear and the brain important?
Key improvements depend on how the implant connects with the brain. Professor Clark describes the current system as a partial connection—research will focus on getting closer to natural brain-ear interaction to improve sound quality and perception.
Who are some past winners of the Florey Medal and how often is it awarded?
The Florey Medal is awarded biennially. Past winners include Nobel laureates Barry Marshall and Robin Warren for their work on stomach ulcers, and Ian Frazer, who developed the cervical cancer vaccine.
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