Middle Ear Implants: Historical and futuristic perspective

Technological advancements are continuously changing the paradigm of human existence. Human beings are constantly engaging in various measures to reduce the extent of sensory and motor impairment. This has been in the form of various devices, e.g. orthopedic prosthesis, visual aids (spectacles) and hearing aids. Countless attempts throughout the centuries have been made in an effort to improve sound amplification in patients. This article seeks to highlights the technological journey of one such implant, the middle ear implant, from its inception to the more technological advanced futuristic proposals. While there are many amplification devices available presently, there still remains a group of patients who have not experienced adequate amplification for their hearing loss and this subset may gain the greatest benefit from middle ear implants.