HEI is the only ear institute in the world that has contributed to the research and invention of all of the following: a) cochlear implants for profound and total deafness; b) implantable devices for nerve deafness; c) implantable devices for conductive deafness and; d) standard hearing aids (for less affluent countries).

Noteworthy HEI achievements

• Development and introduction of numerous innovative microscopic surgeries for various ear diseases, including
• Microscopic fenestration of the lateral/horizontal semicircular canal
• Stapes mobilization operation for restoration of hearing in otosclerosis
• Surgery for congenital malformations of the middle ear
• Surgery for restoration of hearing in otosclerosis
• Partial stapedectomy for restoration of hearing in otosclerosis
• Design of numerous microscopic surgical instruments
• Restoration of the ossicular chain with autograft bone grafts
• Tympanoplasty with overlay, split-thickness skin grafts
• Underlay transcanal fascial graft for tympanic membrane reconstruction
• Transplantation of non-ossicular microlathed homograft ossicles (ear bones)
• Stapedectomy with preservation of the posterior crus in otosclerosis
• Endaural tympanomastoidectomy with bone graft reconstruction of the ossicular chain
• Stapedectomy with preservation of the posterior crus and tragal perichondrial graft
• Design of numerous microscopic surgical instruments for stapedectomy, tympanoplasty and hearing device implantation
• Invention of magnetic coupling for all cochlear implants
• Co-investigative implantation of the first (single-channel) cochlear implant for total deafness
• First cochlear implantation of a child under three-years of age
• First successful cochlear implant in a totally deaf and totally blind patient
• Pioneer development and co-investigation of multi-channel cochlear implants
• Invention and development of the Xomed Audiant® Bone Conductor® using inductive coupling for restoration of hearing in conductive deafness
• First human implantation of an electromagnetic implantable hearing device for sensorineural hearing impairment
• Proposed establishment of laser Doppler interferometry for international standardization of evaluating implantable magnetic hearing devices
• Humanitarian efforts in lectures, seminars, and short-term mission work in over 50 foreign countries
• Fellowships in Otology and Neuro-otology for surgeons from other, less affluent countries