MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA
March 8, 2013
Inside Best doctors in south carolina
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More than 270 MUSC physicians were named as “Best Doctors.”
rodeo teaches safety
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Safe Kids and the Meducare staff demonstrated bike safety to students at Pinehurst Elementary School. 2
Golf Classic
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Currents
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Meet Jennifer
t h e c ata ly s t online
http://www. musc.edu/ catalyst
Vol. 31, No. 28
MUSC performs state’s first Sophono implant procedure By Ashley BArker Public Relations A new option to restore the ability to hear for patients who have deafness in one ear is now available at MUSC. Paul R. Lambert, M.D., chair and professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, performed the state’s first Sophono Alpha 2 implant on a patient Jan. 2. The Sophono procedure rehabilitated hearing through Rick Lambert McComsey’s right ear to his left ear, something he hadn’t had for nearly 10 years because of an advanced inner-ear disease. “During my childhood, I often had ear aches,” McComsey said. “Back in October of 2003, I had an ear ache. I just thought, I’ll take some antibiotics and get rid of it. But it didn’t go away.” When McComsey went to his doctor in Phoenix, he was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, a condition caused by too much fluid in the inner ear. As the disease progressed, McComsey began losing hearing in one ear. “The hearing loss just got worse and worse,” McComsey said. “My doctor told me a traditional hearing aid wouldn’t work. I thought this was something that I’d just have to live with.” McComsey, 43, explained that prior to the Sophono procedure he could hear a sound through his good left ear, but he wouldn’t know what direction it was
coming from. “I would literally be looking around trying to find it,” he said. “It was especially annoying while driving, because if I heard an ambulance I didn’t know if it was beside me, behind me, in front of me or underneath if I was on a bypass.” It also caused problems with people trying to get his attention. “Suddenly you hear someone talking to you and you have to look around to see where it’s coming from. People think you’re ignoring them, but you’re not,” McComsey said. “My wife had to be my second pair of ears.” After moving to the North Charleston area in 2007, McComsey decided to research alternatives to being deaf in one ear for the remainder of his life. He came across the Bone Anchored Hearing Aid system, which involves placing a titanium post through the skin and into the bone of the skull. The system restores hearing, but a transcutaneous post is left protruding through the skin to attach to a hearing aid. The post can become infected and most patients don’t find it cosmetically appealing. McComsey was willing to deal with the post and its potential risks in order to have his hearing back. But before the procedure was done, the FDA cleared the Sophono implant. “The Sophono device is a different system in that there is no transcutaneous post. It’s all implanted beneath the skin,” Lambert said. “A hearing aid instrument attaches magnetically to the skin. It picks up sound, digitally amplifies that sound, and transfers it into vibrations, which are then passed through the skin into a
Dr. Paul Lambert attaches the Sophono device to the right side of Rick McComsey’s head. titanium encased magnet attached to the skull. Then the signal is transferred to the opposite ear through bone conduction.” Thirty days after the 40-minute outpatient Sophono surgery is complete, the patient returns to be fitted with the external part of the device, which restores hearing. With the BAHA system, a patient must wait three to six months after the surgery for the post to integrate into the bone before hearing is restored. The internal portion of the device is about the length of a paperclip, according to Lambert. The external portion, which is about half the size of a person’s little
See sophono on page 10
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Golf tournament to benefit Palmetto Medical Initiative Musicians, coaches, professional athletes and actors have agreed to play in the Needtobreathe Classic, a golf tournament that will be held Tuesday, March 19 at the Ralston Creek and Beresford Creek courses at the Daniel Island Club. The tournament benefits Palmetto Medical Initiative, a Charleston-based nonprofit organization committed to providing sustainable, quality health care to those in need while increasing accessibility to global medical missions. Several MUSC physicians and students are involved with PMI, including Anil Rajendra, M.D., a cardiology fellow who went on his first PMI trip in December. PMI groups have built a medical clinic in Masindi, Uganda, and last year a new initiative was launched in Nicaragua. “Our goal is simple, to raise as much money as possible for Palmetto Medical Initiative and its work around the globe, and the more people who can get behind our cause the better,” said Britt Gilbert, founder of the Commonwealth Cares Foundation, sponsor of the Needtobreathe Classic. “We are thrilled
to have so many people giving their time to this golf tournament. The lineup of celebrities playing in this tournament is incredible.” Members of Needtobreathe, a Christian and pop band, have been supporters of PMI and decided to lend their name to the tournament. Joining Needtobreathe on the golf course are Trevor Bayne, NASCAR driver and 2011 Daytona 500 champion; Mason Crosby, kicker for the Green Bay Packers; Ray Goff, assistant coach at the University of South Carolina; Mercy Me, Christian rock band; Collective Soul, rock band; Dan Reeves, former NFL player and coach; Bobby Richardson, former MLB second baseman for the New York Yankees; Kevin Streelman, professional golfer; Ryan Succop, placekicker for the Kansas City Chiefs; and Justin Wheelon, “Iron Man 3” actor. Player registration is $300 for individuals and $1,200 for a team of four. For more information, call 884-4545 or visit www.commonwealthcares.org/ commonwealth-cares-classic.
Project Sole shoe drive to benefit local community Montessori School of Johns Island is hosting a shoe drive for Project Sole. Project Sole is a nonprofit organization using shoes to improve the community. Shoes collected include used, name brand athletic-type sneakers of any size. Name brand shoes are generally better
Editorial of fice MUSC Office of Public Relations 135 Cannon Street, Suite 403C, Charleston, SC 29425. 843-792-4107 Fax: 843-792-6723 Editor: Kim Draughn catalyst@musc.edu Catalyst staff: Cindy Abole, aboleca@musc.edu Ashley Barker, barkera@musc.edu
built and more durable, thus allowing more wear for a second owner. Shoes are being collected until April 4. Contact Sarah Cantrell at 876-5212 or email cantre@musc.edu for shoe pickup. For information on Project Sole, visit www.projectsole.org. The Catalyst is published once a week. Paid adver tisements, which do not represent an endorsement by MUSC or the State of South Carolina, are handled by Island Publications Inc., Moultrie News, 134 Columbus St., Charleston, S.C., 843-849-1778 or 843-958-7490. E-mail: sales@moultrienews.com.
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MUSC tops South Carolina on ‘Best Doctors’ list More than 270 Charleston-area doctors either employed at or affiliated with MUSC have been named to the 2012-2013 “Best Doctors” list by Best Doctors Inc. Doctors on the list represent more than 40 specialties, including cardiovascular disease, neurosciences, pediatrics, family and internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology, obstetrics and gynecology, and surgery. MUSC has more doctors on the list than any other facility in South Carolina. “It is particularly gratifying to see so many MUSC physicians recognized because of the methodology used by Best Doctors,” said Pat Cawley, M.D., current chief medical officer and incoming MUSC executive director and vice president for clinical operations of the Medical University Hospital Authority (April 1). “They ask other physicians to review, recommend and then elect
colleagues to the list. Only 5 percent of physicians who get nominated are elected. As MUSC’s chief medical officer, I know the great care provided every day by our physicians, and the Best Doctors recognition is proof of this.” Best Doctors Inc. serves as the world’s leading resource for patients, families and physicians seeking medical experts, resources and guidance in the treatment of illnesses and injuries. Doctors who make the list are a part of the Best Doctors global database, which has been consistently recognized by doctors, patients and the public for quality, integrity and independence. Doctors and hospitals cannot pay to be included in the database and can only make the list through enough votes via this peer-review polling process. Information on MUSC’s Best Doctors awards can be found at http://www. muschealth.com/quality/awards.htm.
Mha students visit PalMetto health
Palmetto Health President John Singerling, third from left, welcomes MUSC Master in Health Administration students Brandon Shoffner, from left, Morgan Best, Chelsey Elliott, Bradley Baker and Ben Frank.
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Currents MarCh 5 People–Fostering employee pride and loyalty
Employee of the Month for March Tameka Stevens, Children’s Hospital Environmental Services, was recognized by a patient’s family for the care and support she gave to their infant son who was a patient in the PICU and NICU. Their son, who passed away in November, remembered how Stevens shared her care and compassion by attending to their needs and showing kindness. Stevens was nominated by Sonia Muckenfuss.
Program director in the Office of Health Promotion, reminded managers that the new ordinance for the City of Charleston Smoke-Free Medical District to maintain MUSC as a tobacco-free campus is now in effect (as of March 1). Visit http:// academicdepartments.musc.edu/ tobaccofree/index.htm. Johnson also spoke about the upcoming Push-up & up Challenge to support dropout prevention efforts and benefit Communities in Schools of the Charleston Area. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon, April 13 at Marion Square (next to the Farmers Market). It challenges teams of six people to compete to complete as many push-ups as possible in 30 minutes. Johnson challenged managers to establish unit/ department teams. T-shirts will be available for the first team to register. Visit www.pushupandup.org/faf/home/ default.asp?ievent=1049976.
Wellness update Susan Johnson, Ph.D., Wellness
Announcements The next meeting is March 19.
Wins Jim Brook, Hollings Cancer Center Service Line administrator, announced that HCC received its Commission on Cancer Accreditation from the American College of Surgeons on March 1.
cooking it uP right MUSC’s executive chef Brett Cunningham demonstrates how to cook some of the produce from the Urban Farm on the campus. This year’s National Nutrition Month theme is “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day.” Cunningham prepared samples of different vegetables for participants March 1.
To Medical Center Employees: Recently Dr. Pat Cawley, medical center chief medical officer and executive director designate, updated the management team on the MUSC Performance Excellence initiatives, as mentioned in previous Currents newsletters. These initiatives are aimed at reducing costs while providing high quality care. Dr. Cawley’s presentation can be located at http://tinyurl.com/ampx99s. One component of MUSC Performance Excellence includes Freeman our work with the Huron Group. Among other things, this work involves a comprehensive assessment of virtually all aspects of the medical center’s clinical and administrative areas. The focus is upon enhancing operational efficiency, including establishing targets aligned with best practices, for staffing of more than 300 organizational units (i.e., cost centers). As a reminder, town hall meetings have been scheduled throughout the month of March. The town hall schedule is included in this newsletter. There will also be a number of department-based town hall sessions. Our goal is to increase town hall participation. At this time town hall attendance is strongly encouraged, but not required. To enhance understanding of everyone’s role in accomplishing our goals and to address questions, in the future attendance at conveniently scheduled town hall meetings will be required. Finally, I have had the honor and pleasure of joining the MUSC leadership team at the beginning of January 2013, at MUSC President Ray Greenberg’s request, following Stuart Smith’s retirement. At the end of this month my job will be complete. Dr. Greenberg and the MUSC board of trustees selected an exceptional and visionary in Medical Center Executive Director Dr. Pat Cawley, and he will formally assume the position April 1. I have been extremely impressed with Pat’s leadership skills and management talent. While the challenges being faced by the MUSC clinical enterprise and the health care industry are daunting, Dr. Cawley is the right person at the right time to address these challenges. Kester Freeman Interim Vice President of Clinical Operations and Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center Town Hall Meetings March 8: 10 a.m., 2W Amphitheater; March 12: 10 a.m., Ashley River Tower; March 12: 1 p.m., Institute of Psychiatry Auditorium; 2:30 p.m., 2W Amphitheater; March 13: 6:30 p.m., ART; March 14: 7:30 a.m., 2W Amphitheater; 2 p.m., ART; 2 p.m., 2W Amphitheater; March 15: 10 a.m., 2W Amphitheater; March 18: 11 a.m., ART; 2 p.m., 2W Amphitheater; March 19: 7 a.m., ART; 10 am, 2W Amphitheater; March 20: 6:30 p.m., 2W Classroom, March 21: Noon, 2W Amphitheater
Training to prepare researchers in protecting rights, guidelines The Live Core Clinical Research Training session will begin on Monday, March 18 through Friday, March 29. The class will meet from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Monday, Wednesday and Friday of both weeks at the Strom Thurmond Building. Registration ends at 5 p.m., March 8.
Participants completing the training will be prepared to coordinate research studies in compliance with the Good Clinical Practice Guidelines and federal regulations concerning research. For information, call 792-8446 or email micka@musc.edu.
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Meet Jennifer
Jennifer Schneider Department Pediatrics Educators How long at MUSC Almost two months How are you changing what’s possible at MUSC Educating children and families about unintentional injuries and how to prevent them Dream job Pediatric psychologist Meal you love to cook Spicy vegan potato curry Favorite music Country Dream vacation Tour of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines Favorite form of physical activity Yoga A must-have in the fridge Yogurt Favorite place in the world Maho Beach, St. Martin Greatest moment in your life Engagement to my fiance
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Bike rodeo held at Pinehurst Elementary School By Ashley BArker Public Relations
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tudents at Pinehurst Elementary School were taught how to safely ride a bicycle during a bike rodeo March 1. Employees from the MUSC Children’s Hospital, Safe Kids Trident Area coalition, Safe Routes to School program, the North Charleston Fire Department and the North Charleston Police Department spent the morning sharing their expertise with the fourth and fifth grade students. The Safe Kids Trident Area’s traveling bike rodeo trailer was brought to the event. It contains a variety of bikes and helmets for the students and holds equipment for the “bike safety town,” a course of cones, walls and signs that direct children where to ride. Each child was fitted with a new bicycle helmet and taught how to wear the helmet effectively. The students also learned to obey road signs as they practiced riding through the “town.” Alicia Rhoades, the school’s nurse, said the bike rodeo was long overdue for many of the students. “Some of them didn’t even know what a cross walk was,” she said. “We needed help. We needed lots of help showing them how to be safe.” Once the students completed the bike riding portion of the rodeo, they toured the inside of an MUSC Meducare ambulance. “We have a special-needs student who the other students sometime see being transported in a similar type of ambulance,” Rhoades said. “Letting them look around and see what an ambulance looks like inside was important to the students.” For more information about Safe Kids Trident Area, visit http://www.musckids.com/safekids/.
Students spent the morning learning how to safely ride a bicycle during the Safe Kids Trident Area bike rodeo. Employees from the MUSC Children’s Hospital, Safe Kids Trident Area, Safe Routes to School, North Charleston Fire Department and the North Charleston Police Department shared their expertise and fitted each student with a new bike helmet.
aBout safe kids trident area coalition Founded in 1996, and led by the MUSC Children's Hospital, Safe Kids Trident Area serves Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties and acts as a catalyst for individuals, agencies and organizations to come together to reduce and prevent accidental
Members of the MUSC Meducare medical transport service allowed fourth and fifth grade students at Pinehurst Elementary School to tour an ambulance during the Safe Kids Trident Area bike rodeo, March 1.
childhood injuries to children 14 and under. Safe Kids Trident Area is a coalition of individuals who work to unite resources and efforts to combat accidental injuries through community action, public awareness, education and public policy initiatives.
A member of the North Charleston Police Department’s bike team watched as students rode bikes through a course set up in the school’s parking lot.
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Campus’ event guru is master of efficiency, creativity By Cindy ABole Public Relations She’s MUSC’s version of City of Charleston’s Office of Cultural Affairs director Ellen Dressler Moryl, famed Kennedy White House social secretary Letitia Baldridge and Hollywood events planner Cheryl Cecchetto. Whatever the occasion, Susan Master, director of special events, brings her own brand of organization, resourcefulness and charm to every event she’s involved in. In Colcock Hall’s lobby, guests arriving at a private honorary degree award event were greeted and presented with name tags before enjoying a lunch reception. The area was adorned with vases of fresh flowers and the strains of live music from a string quartet. These details may have been taken for granted by the 70 guests and honoree who attended the reception last March, but it was a visible reminder of Master’s concept and touch. With a variety of events and activities, Master is a pre-planner and pays close attention to specifics whether she’s coordinating details for an intimate gathering of a select few or event planning for the masses. Since her arrival to MUSC in 1996, Master has emerged as the campus’ authority on event planning and organization. She’s left her handiwork in dozens of activities from receptions, retirements, dedications and celebrations for students, faculty, alumni and community members. Master also plans and supports events under the Development Office and Office of the President with activities such as the board of trustees meetings, Presidential Scholars receptions, MUSC commencements and other gatherings. In each of her jobs, she’s exhibited a depth of knowledge and experience that she’s gained in her 28 years as an events organizer and planner. She’s a creative multi-tasker and negotiator who’s flexible, level-headed and passionate about her work. Leah Greenberg, wife of MUSC President Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., is an Women’s Club member and considers Master a good friend.
Special events director Susan Master has been at MUSC since 1996. “Susan is so good at what she does. Graduate Studies. When she applied to She’s organized, friendly, diplomatic, work as a special events assistant working professional and fun to be around. with the Office of the President’s Pam She has an ability to see things beyond DeFratus, she returned to something she everyone’s scope and can adjust to make loved. everything go seamless. She possesses “I was so grateful to many wonderful skills and talent that go beyond the friends and colleagues, many who norm.” were women, who believed in me and A Pennsylvania native, Master got encouraged me to apply for jobs and her professional start in hospitality and make choices that helped me in my event planning at Penn State University’s career. I feel so fortunate to be doing Nittany Lion Inn. There, she helped what I do every day,” she said. plan university events such as receptions, Master feels her hard work reaches dinners and private parties. She credits beyond organizing an event and Fran Levin, director of sales of the Penn setting up for a meal. She believes her State University Conference Inn, for involvement is part of a larger creative guiding her career and mentorship. process. Master feels her events bring During a positive employee review, Levin people and ideas together, generate told Master to be open in receiving important discussions and promote critical feedback from others. the work and preparation of future In 1995, she and husband, Michael, doctors, nurses, researchers and health craved a change in their lives and professionals. “It’s about people searched for a place to relocate on the coming together and forming valuable, East Coast. After much debate and sustainable relationships,” she said. research, they moved to Charleston. The Despite an erratic schedule, long pair was attracted to the Lowcountry’s hours of pre-planning and the challenge beaches as well as the arts and culture of dealing with the unexpected, Master scene. Wanting to return to work in a finds time to be a year-round mentor to university setting, she worked from 1996 hospitality and tourism students from to 1997 in the Institute of Psychiatry the College of Charleston. As a oneand from 1997 to 1999 in the College of person operation working out of a small
office on the edge of the MUSC campus, she’s demonstrated her resourcefulness by working with interns to teach them her craft and hone their skills through real-world experiences. “Working with interns is one of the best rewards of my job. They learn the values of building good organizational skills, networking and time management. Their experiences provide valuable feedback to our work. It’s their contributions that support the greater good of the university,” she said. Aside from supporting the arts and other volunteering, Master counts her time spent with the MUSC Women’s Club as an important balance in her life. The club continues to be an active group at MUSC and in the community. Master, who has been a member since 2000, values the service work, activities and fellowship offered through the organization. From 2004 to 2005, she served as the club’s president and worked to restructure it by expanding membership to include female faculty, professional and administrative staff. “This group has been so supportive to me both personally and professionally. As president, I never worked harder in my life, but loved every second of it.” Outside of the office and away from phones, Master enjoys her down time by reading, watching movies, riding her bike around Charleston’s streets and walking her dogs around Colonial Lake. She’s mom to her basset hounds, Gaylord and Mr. Ripley, and an active member of the Carolina Basset Hound Rescue League. Asked if she’d ever consider working for herself, she hesitates and smiles. She genuinely loves her work and being within an office environment versus working independently or with hotel management. “I love the balance that MUSC provides,” she said. “I think it suits me well and allows me to thrive and grow in different ways professionally that I’m happy with.” Editor’s note: In honor of National Women’s History Month, The Catalyst will feature women who are making a difference at MUSC.
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Mediterranean diet rich in nuts boosts heart health A
new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that eating a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil and nuts lowers the rate of major cardiovascular events, at least among people at increased risk for heart disease. The first major clinical trial to measure the diet’s effect on heart risks ended early, after almost five years, because the results were so Susan Johnson clear it was considered unethical to continue. The traditional Mediterranean diet is characterized by lots of olive oil, fruit, nuts, vegetables, legumes, cereals, some fish and poultry, and limited amounts of dairy products, red meat, processed meats and sweets. Here are tips to get started on this heart healthy diet: q Fruits, vegetables and whole grains: Strive for seven to 10 servings a day of veggies and fruits. Switch to whole-grain bread and cereal and begin to eat more whole-grain rice and pasta products. q Nuts: Keep almonds, cashews, pistachios and walnuts on hand for a quick snack. Choose natural peanut butter, rather than the kind with fat added.
Health at work
q Healthy oils: Try olive or canola oil as a healthy replacement for butter or margarine. Use it in cooking for flavoring or with whole-grain bread for a tasty alternative to butter. q Spices: Herbs and spices add flavor and are also rich in health-promoting substances. q Fish: Eat fish once or twice a week and focus on fresh or water-packed tuna, salmon, trout, mackerel and herring. q Lean meat: Substitute fish and poultry for red meat. When eaten, make sure it’s lean, and keep portions small (about the size of a deck of cards). q Low-fat dairy: Limit higher fat dairy products such as whole or 2 percent milk, cheese and ice cream. Switch to skim milk, fat-free yogurt and low-fat cheese. To learn more about how to eat for health, read the daily nutrition tips posted on broadcast messages this month, attend one of the dietetic interns’ “Lunch and Learns” each Thursday at 12:15 p.m. at the Urban Farm, or visit the Wellness Wednesday booth outside the Ashley River Tower cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MUSC Employee Wellness q Zumba at Harborview Office Tower: Join licensed Zumba instructor Felecia Curry for a weekly Wednesday night Zumba class held from 5 to 6 p.m. in Room
302, Harborview Office Tower. Space is limited. Email curryf@musc.edu for more information or to register. q Worksite screening: A screening, valued at $350, will be available to employees and their spouses on March 13 in Room 628H, Clinical Sciences Building. It will cost employees with the State Health Plan $15. Covered spouses can also participate for $15. Employees and spouses without this insurance can participate for $42. To register, go to www.musc.edu/employeewellness and click “Worksite Screening.” MUSC Urban Farm q Child-friendly Work and Learn: On March 16, from 9 to 11 a.m., children are invited to the farm. Bring a plastic bag and take home some fresh produce in return for your work efforts on the farm or help gather for donations on certain days. Wear closed-toe shoes. No experience or prior knowledge is necessary. q Early-bird maintenance: Get your day started with a little Urban Farm tender loving care from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., on March 13. Contact Johnson, Ph.D., at johnsusa@musc.edu, for information on the Office of Health Promotion. For information about Employee Wellness, email Suzan Benenson Whelan at whela@musc.edu. Events, speakers, classes or any other ideas are welcome.
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green Business challenge
MUSC President Dr. Ray Greenberg, left, and City of Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. visit the Porcher Medicinal Garden with MUSC sustainability manager Christine Cooley during the MUSC Green Tour. On Feb. 27, MUSC hosted the Green Business Challenge awards and recognized the College of Dental Medicine for its water savings. Dr. John Sanders, the college’s dean, was presented a certificate from Riley later that afternoon.
Family Fund accepting grant applications The MUSC Family Fund, sponsored by the Yearly Employee Support Campaign, is accepting grant applications. The application should include name, department phone, name of project and amount of funding requested. The grant application also should include a brief summary explaining the project or program and how the funding will benefit MUSC’s mission, not to exceed one paragraph. For information, email mcluen@musc.edu or visit www.musc.edu/ catalyst/archive/2013/ co2-8familyfund.html. Applications are due no later than March 29.
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sophono Continued from Page One finger, is held in place magnetically. “There have been tremendous advances in magnet technology,” Lambert said. “We use them in our cochlear implants, which we do often here. As that technology improved, it has been transferred to hearing aid type devices, like the Sophono.” The ideal patient for the Sophono device would be someone who is totally deaf in one ear. If the patient is deaf in both ears, he or she would be a candidate for a cochlear implant. It would also be applicable to an individual who had a conductive hearing loss, which is when the nerve is normal but it simply cannot conduct the sound into the inner ear, for example if someone was born with no ear drum or ear canal. In that case it would be used to transfer the sound into the nerve of that ear. McComsey is the first patient to have a Sophono implant in South Carolina, according to Lambert, even though the technology has been in the United States for more than four months.
“We like to think that MUSC is at the leading edge of all technologies. This is one technology that simply corroborates our standing as an innovative center,” Lambert said. “Fortunately there are not a lot of patients out there with total deafness in one ear. Traditional hearing aids can help the vast majority of patients. I would project maybe 20 to 30 patients a year at MUSC that may be able to benefit from this technology.” McComsey began benefiting from the Sophono implant the same day it was fitted. “The first night that I had it, my wife and I were going to church. I was walking in the parking lot, and I heard someone call my name behind me. I turned around and said ‘hello’ to him. That would never have happened before this. I would have just kept walking,” he said. The external part of the Sophono is not waterproof, but McComsey doesn’t mind taking the magnet portion off. “Living with it is really nice. I can reach up, take it right off and not have to worry about it. If my head itches, I just take it off, scratch then put it back on,” he said. “It’s phenomenal.”
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