As some may know, I am deaf and for the last 3 years have been hearing through the use of a cochlear implant. Being totally deaf for 17 months was an interesting experience at best. While the hearing I have isn't perfect, it's good enough that while turning at the lathe yesterday, I had a boom box tuned into a local classic rock station. I was able to recognize and enjoy music while I was turning.
About 18 months ago, I had heard of a woman in Australia receiving sight via similar technology. This past year I read of FDA approval for a similar bionic eye implant here in the US. Here's a link to a article about a man at the Mayo clinic where they gave him an implant. He saw his wife for the first time in 10 years.
http://www.kare11.com/story/news/hea...-eye/23530771/
We live in a wondrous time.