New implants in the United States can repair damaged hearing in animals

Release date: 2007-08-15

In the United States, new advancements in medical technology are offering hope for animals with damaged hearing and balance. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institute have successfully tested an electronic device that partially restores hearing and balance in animals. This breakthrough could one day benefit humans as well.
Dr. Charles Della Santina, director of the vestibular neuroengineering laboratory at the Hopkins Medical Institute, has been exploring multi-channel vestibular repair since 2002. He explains, “This proof of concept shows that we can restore three-dimensional balance perception in the brain.” While most people are familiar with the five traditional senses—sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing—few realize that balance is often considered a sixth sense. It’s only when this system fails that people become aware of its importance.
Cochlear implants have already helped many individuals regain their hearing by stimulating the auditory nerve. Building on this technology, scientists have adapted the design to create a device that connects multiple electrodes to the vestibular nerve. This system gathers three-dimensional movement information and sends it to the brain, helping to restore balance.
Approximately 30,000 people in the U.S. suffer from inner ear balance disorders. Though multi-channel vestibular prostheses may take several years to be fully tested in humans, researchers believe this implant could significantly improve the quality of life for those affected. Patients often experience dizziness, instability, or a sensation of swaying, which can severely impact daily activities. Vestibular issues may be present from birth or develop due to factors like antibiotic use, Meniere’s disease, viral infections, head trauma, or other injuries. ——Shanghai Medical Device Industry Association

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