Now, most people who know me, know I love cats. I was intrigued when I came across this photo on the web, which I didn’t really believe was true. Until my audiologist told me that apparently it IS true! This is how scientist have been studying the effects of cochlear implants on deafness!
Cat: "One more photo of me in this state, and you die, man." Just kidding! How cool is this! I have to admit, it's my new dream pet! Implanted cat 5 months after surgery. The cat wears the device 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. These cats are born deaf and offer an excellent model for studying congenital deafness. With the implant, cats will come when called and demonstrate behaviorally that they can hear.
After 3 months of using the cochlear implant, the synapses of auditory nerve fibers in these implanted cats were compared to those of normal hearing cats and congenitally deaf cats of the same age. They discovered that cochlear implants “rescued” the synapses of the deaf cats.
Check out the website for more details on this: Endbulbs, Activity, and Cochlear Implants
I am sure many people would call this cruel; but hey, I’ve got an implant, and I love it! So, I find it fascinating – but geez, that poor cat doesn’t look too happy in the photo, huh?
But it has inspired me!
I am not alone!
There are cats out there that are like me too! haha!
I almost feel like getting a deaf kitten from the RSPCA, taking it to Professor Da Cruz, and pleading: “Work your magic, Melville!! My cat wants to hear again!”
And then, post surgery, the kitten and I will prance off into the sunset, happily talking to each other in robotic meows, and comparing battery shelf-life.
Yep, that’s what it’s come to now – I am day dreaming about having a ‘matching’ pet (like people who get haircuts to match their pets!). Instead of B1 and B2, it will be Cochlear Kate, and Cochlear Cat. I’ll get it a leash too, so I can walk it! Awesome. We can share processors. So many possibilities!
Kate's Cochlear Implant 
August 10, 2009 at 6:22 pm
“With the implant, cats will come when called and demonstrate behaviorally that they can hear.”
So you’re saying that the implant truly can work miracles? Because my cat has perfect hearing but he certainly doesn’t come when he’s called, nor does he do as he’s told. I believe he is demonstrating behaviourally that he can choose NOT to hear me.
August 10, 2009 at 10:52 pm
there are so many deaf animals put to sleep at shelters all over the world because of their disability – no one wants to adopt a deaf dog or a deaf cat (this experience parallels with deaf orphan children). many of them need a home badly. check http://www.deafanimals.org out if you are seriously considering adopting a deaf pet. i have one deaf cat myself and i love her like crazy!
August 11, 2009 at 2:36 am
Trés cool!
August 11, 2009 at 12:00 pm
omg that’s awesome…. haha poor cat looks sad though, with the implant right on his head. I do love my implant too, but sadly I don’t wear it like 90% of the time in the winter… I snowboard, I’m scared to wear it, don’t wanna fall on it or have it fall off!!
August 11, 2009 at 1:17 pm
But won’t you still be allergic to the cat fur?
August 14, 2009 at 11:55 am
I’ll just get a hairless cat again, like last time. Awesome.
August 12, 2009 at 12:49 am
I can just picture the cat going wild, the first time they put the implant on him/her. maybe the behind the CI ear might work better for the kitty hehe.
August 12, 2009 at 12:57 am
I don’t know and I don’t like the idea to see like that. It cannot have pretty much freedom to wander around with device like that.
August 13, 2009 at 6:09 pm
This is extremely cruel. I can’t believe how stupid audiologists to “cochlear implant” ON a cat!?!? Cat is CAT! for god sake.
I’m deaf, and just cannot believe in this… Hearing people always say “Oh! I can cure everything!”
If you’re deaf, just do is happy about that… but, CAT WON’T TALK, so cats or domestic pets do not need cochlear implants at all!!!
August 14, 2009 at 9:20 am
Hi Robert,
i can understand your thinking – but I dont think the scientists wanted to get the cat to talk – they wanted to see what affect the implant had on their nerve endings in the inner ear, and whether they could hear environmental noises. So, I guess if you are a cat, it would be weird going through all that. But the scientists and audiologist do it all to see if they can help people, if they want to hear more.
One thing you said – “Hearing people always say they can cure everything!” You wouldnt be annoyed if they were offering to cure heart disease, or cancer would you? its just perspective. Dont be so negative about people different to you trying to help.
But I do agree with you that there is an overwhelming perspective in people with normal hearing that deafness is something that is better cured. And an implant is NOT a cure! I am still completely deaf, even with the cochlear implant, (and I am proud of being deaf! its nice to be able to ‘switch off’ whenever I want) – having an implant just ‘helps’ a bit. My hearing aids were not helping much. So a cochlear implant is just like a stronger pair of hearing aids.
December 4, 2011 at 11:00 pm
Wow. I am THAT person who posted that comment. I just got a cochlear implant myself, and the switch on for my left cochlear implant is scheduled on 5th December – that’s tomorrow.
Everything have changed so much, it was only last year when I hate cochlear implant so much and even refuse to go ahead with one. I use sign language and is extremely proud of being deaf and have deaf friends. I go to mainstreamed high school, and everything is going well. I have hearing friends and everything – I love being deaf. But something came across, when I began my work experience as an architect draftsmen (I want to be an architect), I realised the HUGE challenge to communicate with my clients and workmates so I decided to go ahead with an implant. I recieved my left cochlear implant by Dr Anthony Parker and my operation was performed at Wesley Private in Brisbane.
December 6, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Hi Robert, That is so exciting!
Good luck with your switch on – but remember what it was like for me – horrible at the start, but just got better and better.
So be patient, as it’s not great at the start.
I am hearing on the phone now, but I still need captions for TV and the movies.
Cheers,
Kate
January 9, 2015 at 12:39 pm
Hi I just find this AMAZING I am only 10 and wanna do a report on these inplants. It just fascinates me!😀
August 14, 2009 at 6:11 am
Your blog is great! Just came across it via Deaf Read… am reading through past entries now 🙂
November 16, 2009 at 8:25 am
[…] think there was that much to report—I was a little disappointed he didn’t mention cat CIs! The future, according to Mike, is technology that facilitates two-way communication. Hearing […]
November 16, 2009 at 9:49 am
[…] think there was that much to report—I was a little disappointed he didn’t mention cat CIs! The future, according to Mike, is technology that facilitates two-way communication. Hearing […]
November 16, 2009 at 10:16 am
[…] think there was that much to report—I was a little disappointed he didn’t mention cat CIs! The future, according to Mike, is technology that facilitates two-way communication. Hearing […]
November 16, 2009 at 4:23 pm
[…] think there was that much to report—I was a little disappointed he didn’t mention cat CIs! The future, according to Mike, is technology that facilitates two-way communication. Hearing […]
November 16, 2009 at 6:16 pm
[…] think there was that much to report—I was a little disappointed he didn’t mention cat CIs! The future, according to Mike, is technology that facilitates two-way communication. Hearing […]
November 17, 2009 at 1:35 am
[…] think there was that much to report—I was a little disappointed he didn’t mention cat CIs! The future, according to Mike, is technology that facilitates two-way communication. Hearing […]
November 17, 2009 at 4:07 pm
[…] think there was that much to report—I was a little disappointed he didn’t mention cat CIs! The future, according to Mike, is technology that facilitates two-way communication. Hearing […]
November 17, 2009 at 10:12 pm
[…] Obviamente, o site está em inglês. Mas caso alguém prefira ler o texto original: CiberCat […]
January 4, 2010 at 3:03 pm
[…] think there was that much to report—I was a little disappointed he didn’t mention cat CIs! The future, according to Mike, is technology that facilitates two-way communication. Hearing […]
February 17, 2010 at 6:02 pm
[…] think there was that much to report—I was a little disappointed he didn’t mention cat CIs! The future, according to Mike, is technology that facilitates two-way communication. Hearing […]
March 5, 2010 at 7:13 am
This is cruel and inhumane to use these cats, for research.
My husband is having 2 cochlear implants one week from today.
I have cats,it is sad the way scientists use animals.
March 26, 2010 at 9:49 am
My husband had both ears implanted 2 weeks ago. I hope he isn’t diappointed in the end result.
It is disappointing that they use cats in this research, I think it is wrong,cruel immoral, etc..
April 5, 2011 at 7:12 pm
I am extremely disappointed that audiologists would come up with “curing” deaf cat. Scientifically experimenting a domestic pet is illegal where I live, no matter what circumstance is – it applies for “cochlear implants” for cat.
I am not impressed with what you said, as that it is very offending for deaf communities because you always claim that cochlear implant cures your deafness and everything really. I am not deaf myself, but I am dearly offended.
“We can share processors. So many possibilities!” In reality, cochlear implant DO NOT give you as much possibilities as hearing people get. That is a hard fact.
“I have to admit, it’s my new dream pet!” Really? You want a bunch of pets with “cured” deafness? How can you pat them on their head? What if these animals are very angry about it? You cannot expect that everything will be cured.
You claim (or you agreed with) that “With the implant, cats will come when called and demonstrate behaviorally that they can hear.” … think realistic, for once again. I have a hearing cat, and he wouldn’t come to me, as if he is ignoring us, which it is NORMAL for most of cats.
Cochlear Implants on the cat, it WILL NEVER “cure” the way the cat act, or do, or whatever. Never. Hearing do not help with what they do.
April 8, 2011 at 8:35 am
Hi Edward,
I never claimed that cochlear implants cure deafness. In fact if you read the rest of my posts, you will see that I am constantly saying that they are NOT a cure for deafness, I am still deaf even when I wear them, they just help me to hear. I am still deaf. When I take them off I can’t hear anything. Sorry you were offended. You should read the rest of the blog. I am a supporter of sign language. it would make my life easier if everyone knew sign.
Cheers,
kate
PS – comments about the cat were ‘tongue-in-cheek’, which means they were a joke. Doesn’t translate well in text I guess. Oh well, cant please everyone.
November 22, 2011 at 7:57 am
Edward, I disagree with some of your statements. Based on where I work and the miracules I see in baby, teenagers and adults just being able to hear a Jet plane is amazing. Some of the patients I have seen get extemely emotional because it is such a change but still amazing how far we have come. Why is it so terrible to want your pet to have the at least a chance to hear your and you a chance to see their ears perk…….
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November 4, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Reblogged this on Inclination of the Mind and commented:
No, my implant will not be in the center of my forehead… But I have been led to believe that mice will fear me more, now that I can hear them… Kate’s blog is fantastic; told with that wonderful Australian sense of humor. Her blog posts inspired me to begin my blog. Please take time to read about her entire journey via this reblog I am posting in leu of my blog for tonight. OR go to:
https://katelocke.wordpress.com/
November 6, 2013 at 9:34 am
This is so cool!
March 17, 2014 at 6:36 am
Yeah but getting it to cooperate with the mapping appt how did that go??. Maybe abr and sedation is better. No way my car would sit still or even less cooperate with booth testing let alone speech discriminación. Lol. I think that’s so cool. I heard dogs get them too. I so can see getting fido one if he got meningitis or something. . We get soo attached to our pets.
January 9, 2015 at 12:44 pm
Wow soooooooo cool!!!! Luck this stuff!😇
January 9, 2015 at 12:45 pm
Oops sorry I mean luv😄
June 28, 2015 at 2:22 pm
I have a deaf kitten. (He’s a year now.) He’s quite special to me, and sometimes I wonder what his life would be like if he could hear. So, I Googled cochlear implants for cats and found your blog. I found it quite touching. I think I will wait and see how the technology develops. I don’t want to put him through an invasive procedure right now, especially since he’s perfectly happy without hearing. But perhaps one day the implants will be smaller and the procedure less invasive. Then I might do it.
Hope you’re well. And it doesn’t sound crazy to me at all that you’d want a deaf pet. They’re often passed over at shelters, which is such a shame. Hope you go rescue one and give it a loving home.