Researchers at the University of Utah have developed a MEMS microphone that can be implanted in the middle ear to restore hearing and requires no clunky external electronics. The device improves upon conventional cochlear implants, which have restored basic hearing to some 220,000 deaf people but require a microphone and related electronics to be worn outside the head, creating reliability issues and social stigma.

Middle Ear MEMS Microphone Could Restore Hearing.