Cochlear implants
Cochlear implants are used to restore hearing in people with severe or complete hearing loss. They work by bypassing damaged areas of the inner ear and stimulating the auditory nerve with electrical impulses.
Main components:
- External processor – receives sound signals, processes them and transmits them to the implant.
- Implantable part – converts signals into electrical impulses and transmits them to the auditory nerve.
- Electrode array – is located in the cochlea of the inner ear and stimulates the auditory nerves.
Modern cochlear implants are equipped with powerful sound processing algorithms, allowing you to hear music and even have phone conversations.
Neural chips
Neural chips are devices integrated with the nervous system to expand cognitive capabilities, treat diseases or control external devices with the power of thought.
Applications of neural implants:
- Treatment of paralysis – chips can restore motor activity by transmitting signals from the brain to muscles or robotic prostheses.
- Treatment of epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease – deep brain stimulation using implants reduces the severity of symptoms.
- Cognitive enhancement – chips are being developed that can improve memory, information processing speed, and even connect to the Internet.
Examples of modern projects:
- Neuralink (Elon Musk) – develops brain-computer interfaces for controlling devices with the power of thought.
- Synchron – creates neural implants that do not require complex surgery, which help people with paralysis control computers.
The future of these technologies promises a significant improvement in the quality of life of people with disabilities, as well as the potential to “enhance” a healthy brain.
