Design and function: a physical and electrical description of the 3M House cochlear implant system.

A patient-wearable, single-electrode cochlear implant was first used by a patient in 1972 at the House Ear Institute. Since early 1982, a redesigned version of this system has been in clinical use. This new system, called the 3M House cochlear implant system, consists of an implanted receiver and a patient-worn signal processor, transmitter, and microphone. Also available are instruments to assist the audiologist and patient in proper fitting and testing of the equipment. Physical and electrical characteristics of the devices are described, with attention given to improvements over the older system and features important to the use in children.