Tense your inner ear to control a computer Voluntary motion of a muscle deep inside the ear could control computers, particularly for those with advanced motor neuron disease or other form of restricted movement, according to the University of Bath. GP Dr Nick Gompertz is behind the interface, and he is working with a team from the University. “When I was a medical student, I witnessed people losing the ability to use keyboards that they relied on to communicate,” he said. “I have always been aware of the ability to tense a muscle in my ear, and so wondered if it could be used to control these communication devices.”