ARPA-H seeks AI-driven neural interface to restore hearing.
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is soliciting proposals for the HEARING program, which aims to develop a closed-loop neural interface system to restore and enhance hearing. The program seeks to create a device that can record and stimulate neural activity in the auditory pathway, leveraging artificial intelligence for real-time signal processing. Offerors must demonstrate expertise in neural engineering, AI/ML, and clinical audiology. The contract is expected to be a multi-year, multi-million dollar effort, with a focus on developing a prototype for human testing. Key deliverables include a fully implantable system, AI algorithms for speech enhancement, and a clinical trial plan.