USB port to the brain

New Tools to Help Patients Reclaim Damaged Senses from NYT via Bubblegeneration.

Using novel electronic aids, vision can be represented on the skin, tongue or through the ears.

The theory behind this is that it doesn't matter what nerves are carrying the signals, the brain can adapt to process them appropriately. Think of the applications.

Also, this adaptabilty to new sensory inputs implies to me that with enough training, perception of existing senses can be dramatically changed.