New device allows deaf people to ‘hear with their tongue’

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Cochlear implants are expensive, invasive and are occasionally unsuitable for elderly patients – so scientists are working on a device which sends small electric shocks to the wearer’s tongue and allows them to ‘hear’ sounds

Cochlear implants have had great success in restoring hearing to deaf patients, but the surgery is invasive, expensive and not everyone is a suitable candidate.

Now a team from Colorado State University are working on a device which will allow deaf people to ‘hear’ simply by touching their tongue against a small Bluetooth-enabled device.

“It’s much simpler than undergoing surgery and we think it will be a lot less expensive than cochlear implants,” said John Williams, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

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The above story is based on materials provided by Telegraph, Matthew Sparkes.