# Implantable Microphones for Fully Implantable Hearing Prosthetics

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY · 2021 · $327,896

## Abstract

Project Summary
We are developing implantable microphones for assistive hearing devices, which are essential for
enabling prosthetic hearing devices such as cochlear implants (CI) and middle-ear implants to become
fully implantable. Fully-implanted systems offer significant advantages over conventional devices with
external microphones: access to hearing 24/7 (such as when sleeping), which can benefit children's brain
development and prevent limitations on activities and lifestyles for all ages; benefit from the external ear's
acoustic enhancement to improve hearing in noisy environments; ease of use (less challenges in
dexterity); cosmetic appeal. We have successfully developed proof-of-concept prototypes for each
microphone design and have demonstrated ease of implantation and high-fidelity responses in fresh
human cadaveric ears. In this application we focus on two basic microphone designs, with the goal that at
the end of the project they will be ready for large-animal experimentation and/or clinical trials. One is an
intracochlear microphone embedded within a cochlear implant that senses inner-ear pressure. The other is
a motion-sensing device that attaches to the distal end of the malleus, the umbo, within the middle-ear
cavity. The devices are based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a piezoelectric polymer. The
fabrication of the devices starts with a PVDF film, which is metalized to form electrical contacts to
transmit the piezoelectric signal. They are then encapsulated and electrically shielded. The devices,
already operating at a useful level, will be modeled, evaluated and refined to perform at a level
comparable to hearing aid microphones, with high sensitivity, low noise and flat response over a wide
bandwidth.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10112882
- **Project number:** 5R01DC016874-03
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jeffrey H Lang
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $327,896
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10112882

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10112882, Implantable Microphones for Fully Implantable Hearing Prosthetics (5R01DC016874-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10112882. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*