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EUBioEar
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University of Hannover, Germany, Department of Otorhinolaryngology. The role of the department within the programme will be to lead the studies concerning regeneration of the auditory nerve in-vivo, to carry out toxicity studies in-vivo, and to participate in the human implantation trials. The department of Otorhinolaryngology at the Medical University of Hannover (MHH), is the world’s largest centre for cochlear implant surgery. About 2000 patients received a cochlear implant at MHH during recent years, with 200 new patients being implanted every year now. It has 21 clinical co-workers and 14 research personnel. For more than a decade MHH has also been the leading clinic for technical improvements of cochlear implants. Therefore, MHH has not only vast experience in the planning and executing of human trial studies, but also in establishing international co-operations. In the past, MHH has been the only European FDA study centre for introducing new implants. Thus, MHH has a worldwide reputation for clinical research in the field. Various techniques have been established in the laboratories of MHH, allowing the use of a great variety of methods like RT-PCR, gene-array technology, Western blots, immunohistochemistry, ABR and histological assessment. This assures scientific performance at a leading international level. Recent work has included for example the effects of steroid application into temporal bones of animals at implantation, showing a substantial reduction of electrode impedance, and the determination of neurotrophic factor expression and regulation in the inner ear following noise exposure. Thus MHH research has gained a leading position in this area within Europe and the world. Key Personnel
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