UmboMic

2024: Product Announcement

In early July 2024, a group of researchers from the United States developed a hearing return microphone implanted in the ear that could compete with traditional cochlear implants.

Cochlear implant microphones are usually placed on the side of the skull, which means they cannot use the structures of the outer ear to filter noise and localize sound. In contrast, the new UmboMic microphone is implanted directly into the middle ear. It is a triangular motion sensor measuring 3 by 3 mm, consisting of two layers of biocompatible piezoelectric material PFWDF, which measures the smallest movements of the lower part of the eardrum and generates an electric charge when compressed or stretched. Thus, the microphone can use the structures of the auricle, external ear canal and eardrum to more accurately filter sounds, primarily highlighting human speech and weeding out minor noises. In addition, the microphone is equipped with a low-noise amplifier that increases signal recognition and minimizes noise. electronic engineers

MIT

Although such a microphone cannot be used soon with a cochlear implant, the team hopes to refine the new tool and test the prototype along with otolaryngologists. The developers of a new type of microphone are preparing to start research on animals, which will help evaluate not only the effectiveness of UmboMic, but also the very possibility of implantation. In addition, the study will explore various ways to seal the sensor so that it can remain safely in the body for up to 10 years, but still remain flexible enough to capture vibrations. "Our ultimate goal is to be able to implant a new device at the same time as a cochlear implant and internal processor, while minimizing surgical accommodations," the researchers note.^[1]

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