Implantation of the new nucleus C1-3 receiver stimulator and electrode array [Abstract]

There is an important need to fix the cochlear implant electrode array at a site close to the cochlea, so that the electrode will not slide out, or be subject to differential movement with growth changes. Fixation sites have been in the region of the posterior root of the zygoma and the floor of the antrum. Fixation has been by Dacron mesh ties platinum wire ties, or clips inserted with-special instruments. Biological cements have previously been tried but found to be toxic. The most ideal site is in the region of the cochleostomy.2-7 Marc

Siting the receiver-stimulator of the CI-24M model of the Cochlear Limited multiple-channel cochlear implant and fixation of its electrode array

This is a publisher’s version of a paper from XVI World Congress of Otohinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 1997, published by Monduzzi Editore. This version is reproduced with the permission of the publisher.The correct siting of the cochlear implant receiver-stimulator package is important. The package should not obtrude significantly above the surface of bone, and should be so that blows to the head do not in damage to the package, skull or brain. The cochlear implant electrode array must be fixed at a site close to the cochlea, so that the electrode will not slide out, or be subject to differential movement with growth changes. Fixation, with Dacron® mesh, platinum-iridium ties, or clips, has been in the region of the posterior root of the zygoma and the floor of the antrum. Our research studies demonstrate that a specially-designed collar around the array can be placed through the cochleostomy and provide the necessary locking to prevent retraction of the array. It has a ceramic surround to encourage union with neighbouring bone, and stress relief to reduce wire fracture at the point where the array leaves the cochlea.2-7 Marc

Preoperative medical evaluation

Series: A Singular Audiology TextPublisher’s permission requested and denied.The aim of the medical assessment of infants and children is to determine the cause, severity and duration of any hearing loss as well as the presence of any medical conditions that may influence their management with a cochlear implant. There should also be an initial assessment of the child's communication skills and the parental expectations for his or her education

The Predictors of Unmet Demand for Unions in Non-Union Workplaces: Lessons from Australia

In this study, we examine the predictors of unmet demand for unions in non-union workplaces, using the Australian Worker Representation and Participation Survey (AWRPS). Unmet demand is defined here, as those employees in non-union workplaces who would be likely to join a union if one were available. We argue that this is the first study in Australia to examine the predictors of unmet demand in non-union workplaces, and, that this is an important line of inquiry given a rise in non-union workplaces and never members in Australia, alongside declining union density and membership numbers. Drawing on three strands of existing literature, namely the individual propensity to unionize, the rise and characteristics of non-union workplaces and alternative forms of representation, and, managerial responsiveness to employees and unions, we develop and test four hypotheses.Our results show, controlling for a range of personal, job and workplace characteristics, that there are two significant predictors of the willingness to join a union in non-union workplaces: perceived union instrumentality (Hypothesis 2) and perceived managerial responsiveness to employees (Hypothesis 4), whereby employees who perceive that managers lack responsiveness are more likely to want to join a union if one were available.These results show that unions must try to enhance their instrumentality in workplaces and could be more effective in recruiting if they targeted never members. The results also show that unions need to have some gauge (measure) of how responsive managers are to employees, and that they can leverage poor responsiveness of managers for membership gain and the extension of organizing. In the final analysis, an understanding of the predictors of unmet demand for unions in non-union workplaces has implications for Australian unions’ servicing and organizing strategies, and for their future growth prospects.Cet article cherche à identifier les prédicteurs de la demande non comblée pour la syndicalisation dans les milieux de travail non syndiqués, en ayant recours à l’Enquête sur la participation et la représentation des travailleurs australiens (Australian Worker Representation and Participation Survey-AWRPS). La demande non comblée correspond ici au désir des employés de milieux non syndiqués d’adhérer à un syndicat si une telle possibilité leur était offerte. Nous croyons que c’est la première étude sur ce sujet en Australie et qu’elle est d’autant d’intérêt qu’on assiste actuellement à une croissance du nombre de milieux non syndiqués ou de milieux où les syndicats sont absents, parallèlement au déclin de la densité syndicale et du nombre de personnes membres d’un syndicat. En s’appuyant sur trois axes de la littérature existante, soit la propension individuelle à joindre un syndicat, la montée et les caractéristiques des milieux non syndiqués et les formes alternatives de représentation, ainsi que les réactions des directions face aux employés et aux syndicats, nous développons et testons quatre hypothèses.Nos résultats, après avoir contrôlé une variété de caractéristiques des individus, des emplois et des milieux de travail, font ressortir deux prédicteurs significatifs du désir d’adhérer à un syndicat en milieux non syndiqués : la perception de l’instrumentalité de la syndicalisation (Hypothèse 2) et la perception de la réaction managériale envers les employés et les syndicats (Hypothèse 4), à savoir que les employés qui perçoivent que les gestionnaires n’apportent pas de réponses satisfaisantes à leurs besoins seront plus enclins à vouloir adhérer à un syndicat lorsque cette possibilité leur est offerte.Ces résultats suggèrent également que les syndicats devraient chercher à mieux faire valoir leur utilité dans les milieux de travail et ils pourraient devenir plus efficaces dans leur recrutement de nouveaux membres s’ils ciblaient davantage les travailleurs qui n’ont jamais été membres d’un syndicat. Ils montrent aussi que les syndicats devraient jauger (mesurer) à quel point les directions répondent aux besoins des employés, et qu’ils pourraient bâtir sur une faible réponse managériale afin d’effectuer des gains en terme de recrutement de membres et d’expansion de l’organisation syndicale. En dernière analyse, la compréhension des prédicteurs de la demande non comblée pour la syndicalisation dans les milieux de travail non syndiqués comporte des implications pour les stratégies d’organisation et d’offre de services des syndicats australiens, ainsi que pour la croissance future des organisations syndicales.En este estudio, se examina los predictores de la demanda de sindicalización insatisfecha en los lugares de trabajo no sindicalizados, utilizando la Encuesta Australiana sobre la representación y la participación de los trabajadores (Australian Worker Representation and Participation Survey - AWRPS). La demanda insatisfecha es definida aquí como aquellos empleados de lugares de trabajo no sindicalizados que hubieran querido adherir a un sindicato si este estuviera disponible. Se argumenta que este es el primer estudio en Australia que examina los predictores de la demanda insatisfecha en los lugares de trabajo no sindicalizados y que constituye una línea importante de investigación dado el aumento de lugares de trabajo no sindicalizados y de trabajadores jamás sindicalizados en Australia, junto con la disminución de la densidad sindical y de la cantidad de miembros. Nos basamos en tres ejes de la literatura existente, es decir la propensión individual a sindicalizarse, el alza y las características de los lugares de trabajo no sindicalizados y las formas alternativas de representación, e igualmente, la respuesta patronal a los empleados y sindicatos, para formular y evaluar cuatro hipótesis.Nuestros resultados, después de haber controlado diversas características de los individuos, de los empleos y de los lugares de trabajo, ponen en evidencia dos predictores significativos del deseo de adherir a un sindicato en los lugares de trabajo no sindicalizados : la percepción de la instrumentalidad de la sindicalización (hipótesis 2) y la percepción de la reacción patronal respecto a los empleados y sindicatos (hipótesis 4), por lo cual, los empleados que perciben que los directivos patronales no aportan respuestas satisfactorias a sus necesidades serán más propensos a querer adherir a un sindicato si la posibilidad se ofrece.Estos resultados sugieren que los sindicatos deberían intentar de mejorar su instrumentalidad en los lugares de trabajo y que podrían ser más eficaces en el reclutamiento de nuevos miembros si se focalizan sobre todo en los trabajadores que jamás han sido miembros de un sindicato. Se muestra también que los sindicatos deberían poder estimar (medir) hasta qué punto los directivos patronales responden a las necesidades de los empleados, y que ellos podrían tomar ventaja de la respuesta patronal deficiente para mejorar el reclutamiento de miembros y reforzar la expansión de la organización sindical. Por último, la comprensión de los predictores de la demanda de sindicalización insatisfecha en los lugares de trabajo no sindicalizados conlleva implicaciones en cuanto a las estrategias de organización y de oferta de servicios de parte de los sindicatos australianos, y en lo que se refiere al crecimiento futuro de las organizaciones sindicales

Surgery

Series: A Singular Audiology TextPublisher’s permission requested and denied.Cochlear implant surgery should be undertaken only after the cochlear implant team has established that the child is not achieving useful communication with a hearing aid. This can be difficult because of poor language development in deaf children in this age group or because the child is at a preverbal stage and too young for the use of formal assessment tests. The child's unaided and aided thresholds, however, are important for assessment, as are his or her communication skills. These need to be evaluated by an experienced paediatric audiologist

A protocol for the prevention of infection in cochlear implant surgery

This is a publisher’s version of an article published in The Journal of Laryngology & Otology © 1980 Cambridge University Press. www.cambridge.org/The reduction of infection to an absolute minimum is a very desirable goal in any form of surgery. It is especially important with a cochlear implant operation as infection in the labyrinth can lead to degeneration of the auditory nerve fibres it is hoped to stimulate electrically (Clark et al, 1975). Furthermore, as the implantation of foreign materials increases the risk of infection, as the operation can last 6-7 hours (Altemeier et al., 1976), and as the operators are in very close proximity to the implant site, more stringent measures for the prevention of infection need to be adopted than with other forms of otological surgery. For these reasons a protocol has been developed for preventing infection in our cochlear implant surgery. This is an overall approach to the prevention of infection and involves pre-operative measures, an operating theatre routine, the use of horizontal laminar flow filter units, correct surgical technique and the use of systemic and local antibiotics