DEPARTMENT OF HEARING IMPLANT SCIENCES
SHINSHU UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
DEPARTMENT OF HEARING IMPLANT SCIENCES
SHINSHU UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
ABOUT US
The use of hearing implants including cochlear implants and middle ear implants is growing rapidly due to the associated benefits in terms of improved hearing. The development of new devices supported by basic research as well as clinical trials is essential for further progress in this field.
For this purpose, we established the "Department of Hearing Implants Sciences" in Shinshu University in 2010. Shinshu University is one of the finest research centers for the genetic diagnosis of deafness in the world, and is a major repository of knowledge, advanced technology, and research experience.
RESEARCH
We have collaborated with 102 facilities in Japan and have collected DNA samples and clinical data from more than 14,000 hearing loss patients. At the same time, international collaborative research on the genetic analysis of cochlear implant patients is progressing. We have collaborated with 10 HEARRING centers to analyze the genetic background of CI/EAS patients. In addition to genetic analysis, we are undertaking several clinical research and basic research programs on hearing implants and related scientific themes.
PUBLICATIONS
Our research fields include the molecular genetics of hearing loss, basic and clinical research in the fields of otology, audiology, and genetics including the morphology of the inner ear, molecular biology and the molecular genetics of hearing systems, and the clinical study of hearing implants (cochlear implants, electrical acoustic stimulation, vibrant sound bridges, and bone bridges).