Infrared Light being used to improve cochlear implants?

[avincent]

I recently came across this press release and found it quite interesting.

It seems that scientists at the University of Utah used infrared radiation to stimulate inner ear hair cells -- which sent signals to the brain.

They are predicting that this could improve cochlear technology.

Take a look at the article here

 

[Bebonang]

Radiation? No way. There is nothing new under the sun. They will try new ways to make the miracle devices work. I wish they would just give up and let us be the way we are. We are sick of tire of explaining about the devices that we had to put up with. Just let it go. :roll:

 

[Bottesini]

Radiation??

 

[AlleyCat]

Huh.

 

[TXgolfer]

Radiation? No way. There is nothing new under the sun. They will try new ways to make the miracle devices work. I wish they would just give up and let us be the way we are. We are sick of tire of explaining about the devices that we had to put up with. Just let it go. :roll:

Nothing new under the sun? BS! Technology is developing daily. Just because you don't want the technology doesn't mean that some people don't.

The negativity is what some of "we" are tired of.

 

[Nacon]

Radiation? No way. There is nothing new under the sun. They will try new ways to make the miracle devices work. I wish they would just give up and let us be the way we are. We are sick of tire of explaining about the devices that we had to put up with. Just let it go. :roll:

Whoa, slow down there. It's not radiation in the way you think it might be. They're not talking about nuclear kind of radiation.

The technology is Infrared (IR) light, the same light source in your remote control or motion detectors. Very harmless to our health.

Also, Richard Rabbitt pointed out that IR goes through a bit of tissues, which implies possiblities for non-invasive to cochlear, unlike electrical version of cochlear implant.

Now I can understand you don't like wearing some "devices" everyday but some people like myself, was born this way and I wear hearing aids everyday, so I'm used to it. It's no big deal for me... However, when there's a new techinology out there that can improve more sound frequencies input... I want it.

Of course, he did mention it may take 5 to 10 years before it can be manufactured to the consumers with a decent battery supply.

 

[Bottesini]

Whoa, slow down there. It's not radiation in the way you think it might be. They're not talking about nuclear kind of radiation.

The technology is Infrared IR light, the same light source in your remote control or motion detectors. Very harmless to our health.

Also, Richard Rabbitt pointed out that IR goes through a bit of tissues, which implies possiblities for non-invasive to cochlear, unlike electrical version of cochlear implant.

Now I can understand you don't like wearing some "devices" everyday but some people like myself, was born this way and I wear hearing aids everyday, so I'm used to it. It's no big deal for me... However, when there's a new techinology out there that can improve more sound frequencies input... I want it.

Of course, he did mention it may take 5 to 10 years before it can be manufactured to the consumers with a decent battery supply.

I wear hearing aid every day too, and was born this way. So was Bebonang. WHat do you thing that proves?

I wouldn't want infrared pulses going through my head either.

The one who spoke so strongly that he wants it is late deafened.

 

[Hohtopics]

I wear hearing aid every day too, and was born this way. So was Bebonang. WHat do you thing that proves?

I wouldn't want infrared pulses going through my head either.

The one who spoke so strongly that he wants it is late deafened.

Ok, I was born deaf and would also like to hear better. So, what is your reasoning then?

Besides if science and technology continues to progress, doesn't mean that all of the deaf people have to take that route. Some could just stay the way they are.

 

[Bottesini]

Ok, I was born deaf and would also like to hear better. So, what is your reasoning then?

Besides if science and technology continues to progress, doesn't mean that all of the deaf people have to take that route. Some could just stay the way they are.

You are polite and just stated how you feel without insulting anybody else's feelings.

 

[Beowulf]

Ok, I was born deaf and would also like to hear better. So, what is your reasoning then?

Besides if science and technology continues to progress, doesn't mean that all of the deaf people have to take that route. Some could just stay the way they are.

I march to the beat of a different drummer. I hope no one bothers the drummer.

 

[Hohtopics]

You are polite and just stated how you feel without insulting anybody else's feelings.

Yes, I've been making a little bit more of an effort to be a little more sensitive in my posts. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it. Sometime we learn from experience.

 

[sheila022]

hrm, wow, hearing at hundreds or thousands of frequencies instead of 3000?? Very interesting. I remember writing a little short satirical comment in a paper I wrote a long time ago about technology making the deaf's 'hearing' superior to the hearing's, and how now the hearing want to 'hear' like the deaf. :P

 

[Bottesini]

hrm, wow, hearing at hundreds or thousands of frequencies instead of 3000?? Very interesting. I remember writing a little short satirical comment in a paper I wrote a long time ago about technology making the deaf's 'hearing' superior to the hearing's, and how now the hearing want to 'hear' like the deaf. :P

Sheila, you study science a lot and go to MIT. Would you feel safe with infrared radiation pulsing through you head for years at a time?

 

[TXgolfer]

I wear hearing aid every day too, and was born this way. So was Bebonang. WHat do you thing that proves?

I wouldn't want infrared pulses going through my head either.

The one who spoke so strongly that he wants it is late deafened.

Actually I wouldn't be interested in it either. I just get sick of people who feel the need to be negative every time technology is mentioned. Tech has made major improvements for those who want it. Even the hearing aid I have has been upgraded and vastly improved.

 

[Bottesini]

Actually I wouldn't be interested in it either. I just get sick of people who feel the need to be negative every time technology is mentioned. Tech has made major improvements for those who want it. Even the hearing aid I have has been upgraded and vastly improved.

Negative every time a technology that looks like it could be dangerous is mentioned.

Lots of people fear invasive surgery. Me among them.

 

[TXgolfer]

Negative every time a technology that looks like it could be dangerous is mentioned.

Lots of people fear invasive surgery. Me among them.

The person I was referring to was also negative about a hypothetical pill.