Ear implant corrects balance problems, makes you part Borg

Scientists at the always-progressive Johns Hopkins have been working on an electronic, inner-ear "balancing" device that could help correct problems like unsteadiness, disequilibrium or wobbly vision (no, really). The device -- which couples a head-mounted, matchbook-size box, and up to eight surgically implanted electrodes -- corrects problems by measuring and transmitting 3D balance information to the brain via the vestibular nerve. Researchers say they're working on downsizing and hermetically sealing the implant so that it can fit inside the head and beneath the skin. Up until now, the devices have been tested on chinchillas, whom scientists cruelly dosed with an antibiotic that creates balancing problems (we suppose there were no wobbly people around), then attached implants to the animals and discovered that they "partially regained their vision-stabilizing reflex." While we don't condone testing on adorable rodents here at Engadget, we do love a Borg-esque head attachment from time to time.

[Via The Raw Feed]

[waiownsyou @ Sep 12th 2007 2:12AM]

LMAO @ Borg drone

[kyle allen @ Sep 12th 2007 2:28AM]

you wouldnt be saying that if you saw a real one!!

[just.another.blue @ Sep 12th 2007 7:32AM]

man this was done like 5 years ago! give it a break.

[Juaquin @ Sep 12th 2007 2:25AM]

I thought it was just a giant lead weight that would balance you out - what's this electrode nonsense?

[kyle allen @ Sep 12th 2007 2:26AM]

chinchillas? those have 4 legs... how can something with 4 legs lack balance? my chair has 4 legs and no brain and its doin just fine

[phish @ Sep 12th 2007 6:20PM]

ever play twister?

[Bloobie @ Sep 12th 2007 3:07AM]

Or tie a towel or tube sock around a cat's midsection? :)

[sgt_easton @ Sep 12th 2007 8:47AM]

My chinchilla stands on his hind legs only very often. I'd say whenever he's not running or sleeping, he's only using two of the four.

[MonkeyHood @ Sep 12th 2007 2:49AM]

I for one welcome our undsteady (drunk?) overlords!

[superOK @ Sep 12th 2007 4:22AM]

So it's basically a wii remote you implant in your head?

Anyway, this is good news for me cos I had my balance destroyed by the same antibiotic.

I'm not a chinchilla, btw.

[Artur @ Sep 12th 2007 4:25AM]

Finally you can get really drunk and walk straight :)

[Eldiablo @ Sep 12th 2007 7:30AM]

I usually find that the wobblyeyes is a side effect of wearing beer goggles.

[drpetje @ Sep 12th 2007 4:48AM]

Resistance is futile

[strider_mt2k @ Sep 12th 2007 6:29AM]

-when less than 1 Ohm, yes.

[firebat45 @ Sep 12th 2007 8:54AM]

Am I the only one who finds the phrase "wobbly people" extremely funny? No really, say it out loud.

[wrabbit @ Sep 12th 2007 9:30AM]

Oh my! A non-iphone related post - what is the world coming to! ;)

More on topic - how do they test the animals for balance, do they ask them to rub their tummy and top of the head in a circular motion at the same time?

[allaina @ Sep 12th 2007 11:57AM]

no, they walk a straight line, in the middle of the road next to their cars, and then touch their nose while reciting the alphabet.. that's just before you catch them with a few ounces of cocaine..

oh, wait, chinchillas, not lindsay lohan...

[Secura @ Sep 12th 2007 12:16PM]

I think I have a balance problem.....it usually happens when I hear a low note on a guitar. :(

[granny down east @ Sep 12th 2007 2:48PM]

Chinchillas are NOT adorable, they bite like hell.

[Roflgoat @ Sep 12th 2007 7:24PM]

Is that Picard?