bionic ear
Surgically implanted hearing
A bionic ear is a cochlear implant—an electronic device surgically placed in the inner ear that provides a sense of sound to people who are deaf or severely hard of hearing.
Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, bionic ears bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.
The term emphasizes the device's fusion of biology and technology, evoking science-fiction imagery of enhanced human capabilities.
Act of adding more
- neural interfaceSystem connecting minds to machines
- transhumanismTech-augmented evolution philosophy
- posthumanBeyond human limitations
- human enhancementAugmenting natural abilities artificially
brain-computer interface · neuroprosthetics · cyborg · futurism · biohacking
Reduced ability to perceive sound
- deaf cultureSocial world of the hearing-impaired
- sign languageVisual-gestural communication system
- lip-readingInterpreting speech visually
- audiogramHearing ability chart
tinnitus · audiology · inclusion · deaf community · hard of hearing · profound deafness · mainstreaming · CODA
Ear-worn sound amplifier
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- microphoneAudio input device
- telecoilMagnetic receiver in hearing aids
- frequency responseOutput versus input frequencies
earmold · volume control · audio input · Bluetooth connectivity · captioning · accessibility · speech-to-text · vibration alert
Device placed inside tissue
- biocompatibleAccepted by living tissue
- titaniumElement twenty-two
- FDA approvalOfficial drug safety certification
- surgical procedureInvasive medical treatment
otology · ENT surgeon · medical device · electrode · stimulator · revision surgery · wound healing · skin flap
Implanted auditory nerve stimulator
- auditory nerveNeural pathway for hearing
- audiologistHearing disorder specialist
- recipientOne who receives something
- programmingWriting software instructions
augmentation
Act of adding more
- neural interfaceSystem connecting minds to machines
- transhumanismTech-augmented evolution philosophy
- posthumanBeyond human limitations
human enhancement · brain-computer interface · neuroprosthetics · cyborg · futurism · biohacking
hearing loss
Reduced ability to perceive sound
- deaf cultureSocial world of the hearing-impaired
- sign languageVisual-gestural communication system
- lip-readingInterpreting speech visually
audiogram · tinnitus · audiology · inclusion · deaf community · hard of hearing · profound deafness · mainstreaming · CODA
hearing aid
Ear-worn sound amplifier
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- microphoneAudio input device
- telecoilMagnetic receiver in hearing aids
frequency response · earmold · volume control · audio input · Bluetooth connectivity · captioning · accessibility · speech-to-text · vibration alert · smartphone app
implant
Device placed inside tissue
- biocompatibleAccepted by living tissue
- titaniumElement twenty-two
- FDA approvalOfficial drug safety certification
surgical procedure · otology · ENT surgeon · medical device · electrode · stimulator · revision surgery · wound healing · skin flap · round window
cochlear implant
Implanted auditory nerve stimulator
- auditory nerveNeural pathway for hearing
- audiologistHearing disorder specialist
- recipientOne who receives something
- medical devicespacemaker, defibrillator, AED, ventilator, CT scanner
- Bionicscochlear implant, neural implant, neural interface
- Neuroprostheticscochlear implant, brain-computer interface, neural interface, brain implant, microelectrode