Meniere’s disease is one that affects only 1% of the population. It is an imbalance disease that is quite debilitating. People with this disease can have vertigo occur at any time. Sometimes when there is an attack of vertigo, people will have to lay still for hours until the feeling subsides. Can you imagine how this type of disease might affect everyday life? It must prevent people from taking part in all sorts of activities and really hamper everyday life. Because one cannot predict an event like this happening, people affected by this disease are in a constant state of fear. While there are lifestyle changes and medications that can be ingested to help with the disease, none of them actually cure it. There is also the option to undergo surgery, however the results are not definite and this can also greatly affect hearing.
Luckily, some scientists and students over that the University of Washington Medical Center are investigating a possible solution. They say that a cochlear implant will be placed in a small well that will be put into the skull behind the temporal bone. Electrodes will then go into the ear canal and the inner ear. Neuronal signal testing will be used to identify the spot to create the well behind the ear. The device will be accompanied by a processor which well be pressed when a user feels an impending attack. The electrodes will then be activated in the inner-ear which will correct the problems.
After 4 years of testing and design modifications, the final design was approved by the FDA. I’m hopeful for all of the people with Meniere’s disease that they will be able to reap the benefits of such a medical breakthrough. This type of invention will surely give people their lives back.
http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20101024/balance-disorder-treated-implantable-device/#more-48241
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