New Device Might Let Deaf People Hear with Their Tongue [Video]

It looks like your tongue can be used for more than flapping your gums and swapping spit.

Researchers at Colorado State University's Department of Mechanical Engineering are working on giving those hard of hearing the opportunity to try something different than the cochlear implants or surgically-placed hearing aids offered as current solutions.

The device would create a retainer that you be popped into your mouth, where it would use the nerves on your tongue to pick up sound frequencies and create a pattern that with training would allow hearing or at least interpreting what was being said.

It’s almost like a high-tech version of Braille.

Ultimately, this could less expensive and less invasive option to improve hearing for those who need it.

Tongue Mapping Research (package with graphics) from Colorado State University on Vimeo.

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