An artificial neuromorphic interface for auditory restoration

Sensorineural hearing loss affects ∼3% of the global population yet lacks feasible solutions. We present a neuromorphic interface capable of hybridizing with mammalian afferent nerves to reconstruct the auditory pathway. A self-powered acoustic device serves as the auditory receptor, while a star-shaped reconfigurable artificial neural circuit enables attention concentration via lateral inhibition logic. By leveraging WO₃ nanowires for dynamic reversible proton insertion and extraction, synaptic units provide dynamic information and broad-range sequential sound processing. Three-dimensional sound localization was achieved using an 8 × 8 synaptic transistor array, enabling spatial mapping and differentiation via matrix-vector multiplication and synaptic current analysis. The artificial auditory neural circuit precisely differentiates homophones, forms a closed-loop neural circuit, and aids rabbits with hearing impairment to regain auditory function, enabling actions such as typing according to human speech and kicking a ball. This work provides insights into neural repair, replacement and biocybernetic systems.