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Looking toward the next decade, 2026 research is perfecting Optogenetic Cochlear Implants. Current implants use electricity, which can "spread" across nerves, causing blurred sound.

Optogenetic implants use light (lasers) to stimulate the nerve. Because light can be focused much more precisely than electricity, this technology allows for hundreds of "virtual channels," potentially restoring the ability to hear music with the same richness and pitch precision as a person with natural hearing.