“Cochlear implants have restored basic hearing to hundreds of thousands of people. However, the conventional device requires a microphone, speech processor and radio transmitter coil to be worn externally. Many wearers feel self-conscious having their condition so publicly on display. It also prevents patients from activity like swimming. Now a team led by the University of Utah have developed a tiny prototype that is implanted in the middle ear, which means it can’t be seen. The device is currently the size of an eraser on a pencil and weighs just 25mg. However, research leader Professor Darrin Young said they must now reduce its size by a third and improve its ability to detect quieter, low-pitched sounds before testing it on patients.” w/ photos
