According to Elon Musk, Neuralink brain-computer interface technology will enable the restoration of hearing, and it may restore hearing even in the case of complete deafness. The implant also goes around damaged ears and nerves and directly activates the auditory cortex of the brain to interpret sound messages. This process is focused on people, in whom defects of hearing cannot be helped by conventional methods, such as cochlear implants.

Highlights:

• Neuralink's implant directly interfaces with the auditory cortex.
• The technology bypasses non-functional ears and auditory nerves.
• It aims to address profound or total hearing loss.
• Preclinical testing has been conducted.
• Human trials require FDA approval.

Neuralink also involves the use of an implantation of microelectrode arrays in their system. These arrays decode the purposeful sound messages and provide stimulation to particular areas at the auditory cortex. This direct neural stimuli produces the illusion of sound, by bypassing totally the compromised peripheral hearing apparatus.

The treatment technology is also specifically designed to treat profound sensorineural hearing loss including those that are defined as total deafness. It is intended to suit those patients who are not able to take the advantages of those cochlear implants because of the defect in the functioning of their auditor nerves at all or because of severe injuries in their cochlea and, therefore, it could become the solution to the untreatable illnesses. 

The hearing restoration application is in its preclinical development and testing phase done by Neuralink. The technology has to be subjected to strict human clinical trials before it could be offered. The permission of regulatory bodies such as FDA will still necessitate future clinical adoption.