Since nerves in the ear can be stimulated by light as well as sound, a team of researchers from Northwestern University, Illinois are investigating on an implant which works by firing infrared light into the inner ear.
Infrared light shone onto guinea pig nerve cells produced better results than standard cochlear implants, a report in New Scientist magazine said.
This light wave effect was discovered by chance when surgeons who used lasers to perform a surgical procedure in the ear discovered that they were able to stimulate the nerve cells there to send an electrical message back to the brain.
Source: BBC News, 22 November 2008
Chapter: Ear Care :: 18 December 2008
