Small robot makes big difference for cochlear implant patient

Corvallis woman is first person on West Coast to undergo robot-assisted surgery with new device

By Franny White January 24, 2024 Portland, Oregon

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Video Download: Cochlear implant patient hears spouse through device for the first time

Pamela Runner, 77, of Corvallis, Oregon, hears her husband speak through a cochlear implant on Jan. 12, 2024, as her new electronic hearing device is turned on for the first time at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. (OHSU/Franny White)

Cochlear Implant Patient

Pamela Runner, 77, of Corvallis, Oregon, left, meets with Oregon Health & Science University audiologist Jennifer Fowler, Au.D., CCC-A, on Jan. 12, 2024, to have Runner’s new cochlear implant turned on for the first time in Portland, Oregon. (OHSU/Franny White)

Cochlear Implant Patient

Oregon Health & Science University audiologist Jennifer Fowler, Au.D., CCC-A, explains the external components of a cochlear implant on Jan. 12, 2024, in Portland, Oregon. (OHSU/Franny White)

Cochlear Implant Audiology Appointment with Patient at OHSU 4

Cochlear Implant Patient

Oregon Health & Science University surgeon Jay Gantz, M.D., Ph.D., top left, speaks with Pamela Runner, 77, of Corvallis, Oregon, bottom left, on Jan. 12, 2024, shortly after Runner’s new cochlear implant was turned on for the first time. Her husband, Steve Runner, top right, and OHSU audiologist Jennifer Fowler, Au.D., CCC-A, bottom right, listen to the conversation in Portland, Oregon. (OHSU/Franny White)

Cochlear Implant Audiology Appointment with Patient at OHSU - main

Jay Gantz, M.D., Ph.D. (OHSU)

Cochlear Implant Patient

Pamela Runner, 77, of Corvallis, Oregon, smiles after having the external components of her new cochlear implant placed on the side of her head and around her ear for the first time on Jan. 12, 2024, at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. (OHSU/Franny White)