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Aussie to Receive Bone-Anchored, MP3-Playing Bionic Ear

by Warren Riddle on August 11, 2009 at 08:15 AM

Numerous studies have demonstrated that various gadgets, including cell phones and iPods, can result in significant hearing loss, but a 2008 survey of teens revealed an alarming lack of concern over the issue. Perhaps adults don't give kids enough credit, though. Because that nonchalance could be attributable to (instead of youthful naivete and feelings of invulnerability) faith that technology will provide a timely solution.

Scientists have been developing cochlear implants, or surgically-implanted hearing aids, for decades; several are currently approved by the FDA. Bone-anchored implants, which surgeons actually affix to the bone in order to promote bone conduction, are still relatively new, though. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Colin Hughes, who was born with narrow Eustachian tubes (basically making traditional hearing aids ineffective), is set to become one of the first Australians to receive a bone-anchored cochlear implant.

The pair of bionic ears costs about $12,000, so it's still not marketable to the mass public. It does, though, feature an MP3 player attachment (seriously) so that teens can simultaneously damage and amplify their hearing abilities. Once developers create a more widely available and less expensive model, the next logical step would obviously be the addition of a universal-language-translator function. The babel fish of 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' fame doesn't seem so far-fetched now. [From: The Sydney Morning Herald Via: Engadget]

Tags: bone conduction, BoneConduction, cochlear implants, CochlearImplants, health, hearing aid, HearingAid, medicine, top

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