§-Quick questions
NSWInvestigating ScienceModule 6: Technologies
Quick questions on Cochlear implant and Graeme Clark: HSC Investigating Science Module 6
6short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is the first surgery?Show answer
The first multi-channel cochlear implant was placed in Rod Saunders, a profoundly deaf adult, on 1 August 1978 at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne. Saunders could recognise speech immediately after the device was switched on.
What is deaf community criticism?Show answer
Some members of the Deaf community criticise the cochlear implant as medicalising deafness, undermining Auslan as a primary language, and de-emphasising Deaf cultural identity. The debate continues about whether to implant deaf children of deaf parents.
What is cost and equity?Show answer
The full implant procedure costs around 30,000 to 50,000 AUD per ear and is partially funded through Medicare and private health. Global access is far less equitable.
What is q1?Show answer
Explain how the tonotopic map of the cochlea informed the multi-electrode design of the Bionic Ear. [3 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
A 2008 trial reported that children implanted before 12 months had mean speech-recognition scores 25 per cent higher than children implanted at 24 months. State one confounding variable, and outline how the study could control for it. [3 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
A national health technology assessment evaluates funding bilateral cochlear implants on Medicare. (a) Identify one type of evidence the panel would prioritise. (b) Identify one ethical issue in restricting access to one ear only.
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