45. Hearing Restoration with the Miracle of Cochlear Implants | Courtney Voelker, MD, PhD

Think Neuro

When people notice their vision blurring, they will frequently dash off to the eye doctor. Not so with hearing loss. It often goes ignored and undiagnosed until it becomes unbearable. Dr. Courtney Voelker is trying to change that. She’s a neurotologist, a head and neck surgeon who specializes in diseases of the ear and related structures. She spends much of her time giving the gift of hearing to her patients using cochlear implants. These near-magical devices restore hearing after an intricate two-hour, outpatient surgery. They help newborns get on the path to mainstream development and cognition. Dr. Voelker has watched many toddlers light up when they hear the world for the first time. Cochlear implants help older adults avoid the isolation and cognitive decline that comes with hearing loss. With Bluetooth technology, cochlear implants are becoming almost bionic in their capabilities. They can connect to sound systems in music venues or classrooms. Listen to this episode to find out how Dr. Voelker is opening up access to the world of sound for all.