29 Year Old Woman Hears for the First Time

I saw a clip of this touching video on my local news today.

The Esteem hearing implant is designed for adults with moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss - exactly the type I have. To learn more about this option to hearing aids, click here.

I had never heard of it before today. Have you? On the website, there are stories of people implanted as far back as 2005.

Update: You can read Sarah Churman's story in her own words on her blog here.

Would You Implant a Cell Phone in Your Arm?

Last week at the library, my colleague Diane and I presented a workshop on mobile web. We demonstrated the various websites that can be accessed through your mobile phone and explained some of the related technology that makes it all possible. At the end of our presentation we included a few slides showing prototypes of future cell phone applications. One of them is an implanted cell phone with a digital tattoo interface.

It's designed to work using a person's blood as a power source. See the diagram and explanation below for a more detailed description.
This isn't a joke. This prototype was entered in the 2008 Greener Gadgets Competition. It's considered green technology because cell phones as we know them now contain toxic materials that require special recycling. You can read more about electonic device recycling here.

Even though it says the tattoo disappears when not in use, personally, I feel squeamish just looking at the picture! That's why I was so relieved to receive the following joke in my email today:

Three women, two younger, and one a senior citizen, were sitting naked in a sauna. Suddenly there was a beeping sound. One of the young women pressed her forearm and the beep stopped. The others looked at her questioningly. "That was my pager," she said. "I have a microchip under the skin of my arm."

A few minutes later, a phone rang. The second young woman lifted her palm to her ear. When she finished, she explained, "That was my mobile phone. I have a microchip in my hand."

The older woman felt very low-tech. Not to be outdone, she decided she had to do something just as impressive. She stepped out of the sauna and went to the bathroom. She returned with a piece of toilet paper hanging from her rear end.

The others raised their eyebrows and stared at her. The older woman finally said...."Well, will you look at that...I'm getting a fax!"

All kidding aside, here's your chance to sound off. How would you respond to the question, "Would you implant a cell phone in your arm?"

Would you implant a cell phone in your arm?
	No way! That tattoo looks like the Mark of the Beast.
	No. I don't want to be seen talking to my arm!
	No. I use sign language and would only have one hand available to sign with, duh!
	No. It hasn't been proven medically safe.
	Yes. I'd consider it. Pacemakers, cochlear implants, this is just the latest thing.
	Yes. I'd never have to look for my phone again!
pollcode.com free polls