Feb 2018 Herald Sun

The Aussie invention that has brought the magic of sound to more than 10,000 deaf Australians can now connect to an iPhone and stream sound directly to the brain. The seventh version of the cochlear implant* connects directly to the Apple iPhone via Bluetooth allowing users to hear music and Youtube videos and other apps directly from the phone for the first time. The user can also use an app to adjust the hearing device to block out background noise in a restaurant and allow them to focus on the voices of people at their table.

Lily King has her cochlear implant adjusted by her mum Sandra

Associate Professor Robert Briggs, the clinical director of the Eye and Ear Hospital, said the latest upgrade would allow people with a hearing impairment to use their iPhone like a microphone. “You can put your phone directly in front of someone and stream their voice directly to your implant,” he said.

Jamie Lee Lewis, daughter of rugby league legend Wally Lewis, is just one of many excited customers waiting for the cochlear implant to be upgraded as she starts her new career as an apprentice carpenter. Ms Lewis was diagnosed as being deaf as a child and had her first cochlear implant at four and another when she turned 16. I found out about the new one — it would be awesome that you wouldn’t need a cord to connect it to the phone,” she said.

The seventh version of the cochlear sound processor Nucleus 7, which is smaller and lighter and with a battery that lasts 50 per cent longer, will be on sale in Australia next month.

Jamie Lee Lewis with her father Wally Lewis who is a Queensland Rugby League legend