Jennifer Matthews: This is a routine medical test for Paula Fuller. She's trying to distinguish between different musical sounds.
She says hearing it at all is a blessing.
Paula Fuller: It's like getting a new lease on life.
Jennifer Matthews: That new lease comes by way of this small box and magnetic cochlear implant. Doctor Bruce Gantz implanted the so-called short electrode into her ear. It only goes in less than half an inch, compared to the traditional distance of close to an inch.
Dr. Bruce Gantz: We've been successful in preserving hearing in five individuals and in two individuals now, we've been able to enhance their word understanding, in addition to making the sound louder for them.
Jennifer Matthews: The shorter length seems to avoid damaging any hearing patients may still have. It also helps patients regain the most commonly lost sounds like t's c's and s's.
Dr. Bruce Gantz: These people have an appreciation of music like a near-normal hearing person and they're able to understand speech better than they would with a hearing aid.
Paula Fuller: Just hearing the phone ring in my own home, which if I do not have my implant on, I cannot hear the phone ring.
Jennifer Matthews: And it makes activities such as going to the movies possible once again. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.
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