Scientists at Mass General Brigham have developed a new kind of hearing implant that may help people who are deaf due to certain medical conditions. This device, called an auditory brainstem implant (ABI), is different from cochlear implants, which work by sending sound signals to the inner ear. Instead, ABIs send signals directly to the brainstem—the part of the brain that processes sound—bypassing damaged parts of the ear. The researchers designed this new ABI with soft, flexible electrodes, making it more comfortable and better at delivering sound signals than older versions.
To test the implant, scientists conducted experiments with two macaque monkeys in Switzerland. The animals received the new ABI and were monitored for several months to see how they responded to different sound patterns. Encouragingly, the monkeys were able to tell the difference between these patterns, suggesting that the implant provides a clear and effective way to send sound signals to the brain. This success gives hope that the device could work for people with hearing loss who do not benefit from cochlear implants.
Dr. Daniel J. Lee, one of the researchers behind the project, believes this new ABI could be life-changing for people who currently have no hearing treatment options. By directly stimulating the brain’s sound-processing center, the implant offers the possibility of clearer hearing and fewer side effects. Researchers are now working on improving the device further, and if human trials are successful, this new technology could provide a groundbreaking solution for those with severe hearing loss.
Article from Mass General Brigham: New Auditory Brainstem Implant Shows Early Promise
Abstract from Nature Biomedical Engineering: High-resolution prosthetic hearing with a soft auditory brainstem implant in macaques
