[Axl]

At the current time we are able to make hearing impaired people hear again with an inplant into the skull. The implant stimulated the hearing nerves so that they signal to the brain. This technique may be in very early stages as it only covers very few frequencies. Imagine this technique becoming mainstream and all the frequencies are signalled to the brain. All we have to do is to plug ourselves to the audio equipment. Now that would be something. Also when the hearing gets worse in the older days this technique can compensate the loss in hearing as I assume the nerves don't get worse. Maybe headphones will be redudant in the future.

 

[Lando]

Well, I dunno when we'll have headplugs, but you're right about the hearing loss (IIRC). It's not nerve damage, it's damage to the cells in the cochlea. More detail here.

 

[hedonist]

Reminds me of Deus Ex.

The fact that I could listen to music at high volumes without having to fear about hearing loss would be enough to sell me...

 

[MD1032]

That would be awesome! Technically, all we have to do is perfect the source and we could hear things perfectly. Literally, no more ear canals or damaed eardrums or anything. What an awesome concept. Also, all the bass you can handle

 

[Csidinim]

That would feel disturbing and unnatural to me. Also opens up a lot of options for torture or manipulation. I would not try anything like that unless I already couldn't hear a single thing. Thank god for headphones.

 

[jlo mein]

hey we can make blind ppl see can't we? seriously wasnt there like an Olympic speed skater or something who had a blind father, and they gave him special optics so he could actually see his son or daughter skate?

 

[designed]

Quote:

Originally posted by MD1032 That would be awesome! Technically, all we have to do is perfect the source and we could hear things perfectly.

Oh yeah, and then the debate would focus on the cable or the plugs or the source or even minds. "I hear record ABC a bit bassmuddy, is this a confirmed problem or am I having stress again?"