An MP3 player for the deaf

In a twist of fate, Sandy Mintz, an audiologist with medical device designer Advanced Bionics, lost her hearing about 10 years ago. Now, she is working with Samsung to help develop a wireless MP3 system so the deaf can enjoy music.

Sandy Mintz wears the processor that captures
audio and translates it into digital signals.

(Credit: Michael Kanellos)

The idea is to link a Samsung MP3 player to the cochlear implant developed and sold by Advanced Bionics, which is a division of Boston Scientific. The cochlear implant consists of a processor worn outside the ear. The processor converts audio streams from the MP3 player (as well as ambient sounds and human speech) into digital data. The data then goes to another chip, implanted in a person's skull, which translates the data into electrical impulses.

The electrical impulses are then passed down an electrode, which stimulates a nerve that makes the brain create music. It stimulates the nerve in the same way the nerve is stimulated in people with hearing. The implant system effectively bypasses the damaged tissue. (The picture which looks like two batteries in a person's hand is the implant that goes in the patient's skull. The electrode is the thin strand.)

The implant that goes into patient's skull.

(Credit: Michael Kanellos)

For conversations, the implant works great. "I couldn't use a voice phone for 10 years. Three days after I had it put in I talked to my dad on the phone," Mintz said at CES.

The trick now is to optimize the system for music. Getting the pitch and frequency of music is difficult. "You have to fine tune it," she said. Wireless is also a challenge. One idea is to link the external ear piece with the MP3 player through Bluetooth.

So far, the results are promising, and Samsung is seeking FDA approval.

[Studio City]

Music for the Deaf

I learned about this at Samsung's press conference. But when I visited their
booth today to learn more about this great project, the very nice PR staff
couldn't find a single Samsung employee who had ever heard about it. Sounds
like Samsung should do a little well-deserved boasting internally to let the team
know about how their cool gadgetry is making a big difference in people's lives!

[neecy2k]

music w/CI

I think this is a wonderful idea. I have a Cochlear Freedom, and for the last year have been using an iRiver mp3 player with my personal audio cable (USB port plugs directly into my CI) - I absolutely LOVE having the ability to directly hear the music and would be thrilled if this was something everybody with a CI could enjoy as well!