Ear-powered medical devices in development
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A close-up of the radio-transmitting chip
An experimental ear-powered chip, with a penny for scale
Article Summary
Our ears work by converting the vibrations of the eardrum into electrochemical signals that can be interpreted by the brain. The current for those signals is supplied by an ion-filled chamber deep within the inner ear – it’s essentially a natural battery. Scientists are now looking at using that battery to power devices that could be implanted in the ear, without affecting the recipient’s hearing.
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