Micro LED Arrays Might Stimulate Hearing for the Hearing-Impaired

Cochlear implant is a device using electrodes to stimulate the auditory nerve to help hearing-impaired people to “hear.” But it cannot deliver complex sound as the electrode current does not move from the electrode to an auditory neuron directly. Researchers have been exploring the possibilities to replace electricity with light in cochlear implants via optogenetics technology.

(Image:University Medical Center Göttingen)

Optogenetics is a research technique which involves using light to control neurons that have been genetically modified to be activated with light. A new study used the method to stimulate the cochlea of gerbils. The result of the study showed that light stimulation generated auditory responses in deal gerbils, suggesting that Optogenetics technique might be applied in developing improved cochlear implants.

Devices with multi-channels have to be tested to measure frequency resolution, as the current study only used single optical channel. Micro LED arrays could be an option for device design as well as optical fibers.

There is still a long way before the approach could be practiced on humans because the genetic modification of activating cells with light has not been done with human cells yet.

Disclaimers of Warranties
1. The website does not warrant the following:
1.1 The services from the website meets your requirement;
1.2 The accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the service;
1.3 The accuracy, reliability of conclusions drawn from using the service;
1.4 The accuracy, completeness, or timeliness, or security of any information that you download from the website
2. The services provided by the website is intended for your reference only. The website shall be not be responsible for investment decisions, damages, or other losses resulting from use of the website or the information contained therein

Proprietary Rights

You may not reproduce, modify, create derivative works from, display, perform, publish, distribute, disseminate, broadcast or circulate to any third party, any materials contained on the services without the express prior written consent of the website or its legal owner.