I thought I’d posted about this before, but I haven’t:
SoundBite detects noise using a microphone placed in the ear connected to a transmitter in a behind-the-ear (BTE) device. The BTE transmits to an in-the-mouth (ITM) device that sends small sound waves through the jaw to the cochlea. There is no surgery needed, and both the BTE and ITM are easily removed to be charged inductively. Sonitus Medical is still preparing the SoundBite for eventual FDA trials for single sided, and (eventually) other forms of deafness. Check out more photos after the break.
There are other hearing aid devices that utilize bone conduction. Most, however, use a titanium pin drilled into the jaw bone (or skull) to transmit sound to the cochlea. SoundBite seems to be the first non-surgical, non-invasive, easily removable device.
Singularity Hub: New Hearing Aid Uses Your Tooth To Transmit Sound
(Thanks Trevor)
See also:
New Devices Aid Deaf People By Translating Sound Waves To Vibrations
September 24, 2010 at 6:46 pm
You did post this before, I reposted it at the aleph9 research journal: http://www.aleph9.com/Research/?p=35
September 24, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Pretty neat, though not as cool as the new dental bridge that enables you to chew with your ears. (Sorry about that — I couldn’t resist the biting satire.)
September 24, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Thanks Ikipr, I thought I’d posted this before but for some reason couldn’t find it.