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Graeme Clark
Inspired by his close relationship with his deaf father, Graeme Clark begins researching the possibilities of an electronic implantable hearing device. A young Clark (pictured in back) in Australia 1949 with his parents and younger siblings. -
Dr Graeme Clark
Dr Graeme Clark is appointed Professor and Chairman, Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne. -
Turban shell and grass
Professor Graeme Clark receives research grant for "The Development of a Hearing Prosthesis". Professor Clark, determined to discover a way to get the electrode placed securely in the inner ear – finds a solution by experimenting with a blade of grass and a small turban shell on the Minnamurra Beach in New South Wales, Australia. He also discovers the importance of a graded stiffness in the design of the electrode -
Rod Saunders, first cochlear recipient
Rod Saunders was the world's first cochlear implant recipient to show the benefit of multi-channel stimulation. After his sound processor was turned on, Rod excitedly jumped up and saluted, indicating that he could hear "God Save the Queen" being played to him. It works! Clinical data from Rod's implant helps drive the cochlear implant industry. -
Portable speech processor
Rod Saunders uses a portable speech processor: (PSP) and handheld microphone with Richard Dowell, who is the current Head of the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Melbourne. -
Nucleus multi-channel cochlear implant
A medical device group, Nucleus, becomes interested in the potential of Professor Clark’s work. Eventually, Nucleus and Cochlear (the company was officially formed later during the early 1980’s) and the Australian Government would partner to develop a commercially available implant and bring it to market. We know it today as the Nucleus® multi-channel cochlear implant. -
Rod Saunders, processor upgrade
In 1982, three years after receiving his cochlear implant, Rod Saunders receives a new wearable speech processor (WSP). -
Cochlear Americas office established
A small team establishes the Americas office outside Denver, Colorado.
