Recently, researchers such as the Institute of Auditory Neuroscience at the University of G?ttingen Medical Center in Germany and Christian Robel of the Inner Ear Laboratory have developed an optical cochlear implant using optogenetics.

A cochlear implant is an electronic device that converts sound into an encoded electrical signal by an in vitro speech processor. The implanted in vivo electrode system directly excites the auditory nerve to restore or reconstruct the auditory function of the deaf. However, due to the limitation of current spreading around the electrodes, the resolution of the cochlear implant for complex sounds is still very low.

Recently, researchers such as the Institute of Auditory Neuroscience at the University of G?ttingen Medical Center in Germany and Christian Robel of the Inner Ear Laboratory have developed an optical cochlear implant using optogenetics.

The researchers found in mice that the cochlear implant can use light to accurately stimulate the auditory nerves of deaf mice. They used viral vectors to introduce a light-sensitive protein into the cochlear neurons, which stimulated the auditory pathway of deaf mice and restored their hearing ability. Such optical cochlear implants have the potential to have high resolution for complex sounds.

At present, the research team only uses one light wave. The next step is to develop a device that can produce multiple light waves. The device design may use Micro LED array or waveguide technology to guide the light generated by the optical fiber.