Ann Clin Otolaryngol | Volume 2, Issue 1 | Review Article | Open Access
Urquiza R
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Málaga, Spain
Fulltext PDFAn overview of the problems of current middle ear implants in relation to their future development is herein presented. Despite the high potential for wide application of the devices in an extensive group of patients, important hindrances have resulted in its very limited, real life application. This situation derives, in our opinion, from two main problems: the inconveniently large size of the implant’s transducers and the high cost of the devices. Accordingly, research and development of new transducers focused on a smaller size and lower cost seems a must in the future development of middle ear implants. To explain this situation, the key transduction processes in the ear and the corresponding technological approaches to mimic them are herein outlined. Subsequently, the importance of recent and emerging electro mechanic technologies is stressed, providing an example from our group of the application of Micro electro mechanic system technology to the research and development of new transducers as required by the new auditory implants.
Ear; Implant; MEMS; Transducer; Hearing loss; Otosurgery
Urquiza R. The Future of Middle Ear Implants, Ear Transduction and Transducers for the Ear. Ann Clin Otolaryngol. 2017; 2(1): 1009.