News
New approach to musical works for cochlear implant users
The Bionic Ear Institute in collaboration with Melbourne based composer and sound artist Robin Fox, have received funding to develop a series of musical works to enable people with cochlea implants access to music like everybody else.
For people with severe hearing loss, the only therapeutic intervention available is the cochlear implant or “bionic ear”. This is one of the world's most successful medical bionic devices, which has enabled hearing for over 150,000 people worldwide. However, the bionic ear has some shortcomings, particularly its performance in noisy environments, the appreciation of music and perception of tonal languages such as Mandarin and Cantonese. This project will specifically create music designed to be appreciated by people with cochlear implants, in frequencies that are receptive to “bionic ear” technology.
“Composing for the cochlear implant presents a fantastic opportunity to approach music from a completely new angle," Robin said. "The technical peculiarities of the implant provide a set of parameters for the composer that require, in essence, a new solfege or organizing principle for the creation of musical works. The challenge will be to make works that can be appreciated by cochlear implant wearers and the general public alike.”
The Music Board of the Australia Council for the Arts is funding the project under its New Work category. The initiative as also attracted funding from the Australian Network for Art and Technology (ANAT).
Along with Robin Fox, composers Natasha Anderson, James Rushford, Eugene Ughetti, Rohan Drape and Ben Harper will develop the new musical works.