The Future of Cochlear Implants: Promising Feasibility Study Results for MED-EL’s Totally Implantable Cochlear Implant (TICI)

February 6, 2025 – Innsbruck, Austria: A major milestone in the treatment of hearing loss has been reached with the publication of a feasibility study on the Totally Implantable Cochlear Implant (TICI). Leading hearing implant manufacturer MED-EL has announced new scientific insights and clinical advancements, underscoring its commitment to innovation in hearing solutions.

• Encouraging Results: Hearing performance with new totally implantable cochlear implant matches conventional cochlear implants, with added comfort and quality of life.
• Safe Surgery: TICI is implanted using a conventional surgical approach.
• Novel Design: TICI combines all cochlear implant components into a fully implantable device.
  

The study, published in Communications Medicine and led by Prof. Dr. Philippe Lefèbvre and Prof. Dr. Joachim Müller alongside international researchers, evaluated the safety and performance of the TICI in six participants with bilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss. Results demonstrated that the TICI delivers hearing performance comparable to conventional cochlear implants while introducing unprecedented convenience and discretion by eliminating the permanent need for external components. "The TICI is a milestone within the field of cochlear implantation,” states Prof. Dr. Lefèbvre, Head of the ENT Department at the University Hospital of Liège in Belgium. "It has been a wish from the early days of cochlear implantation to be able to integrate all components within an internal device.” Prof Dr. Müller, Head of the Cochlear Implants and Hearing Prosthetics Section, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Munich, adds, “One recurring wish we hear from patients in our daily clinical practice is that the implants should be as discreet as possible – or ideally invisible. Social stigma remains a challenge for many people with hearing impairments and can be a heavy burden in many situations." The study not only provides evidence of the safety and initial clinical performance of the TICI but also highlights MED-EL’s legacy of patient-centered innovation.

A New Era in Hearing Healthcare

The TICI redefines hearing by integrating all components – audio processor, microphone, and battery – into one device that is fitted under the skin. This innovation represents a paradigm shift, offering users continuous hearing during daily activities, including sleep and bathing, without reliance on external parts.

Key results from the study include:

• Safety: The TICI demonstrated a strong safety profile.
• Hearing Performance: Speech perception tests confirmed hearing outcomes comparable to traditional cochlear implants.
• Quality of Life: Patient-reported outcomes showed improved comfort, satisfaction, and overall quality of life. 
  

Pioneering Innovation in Action

In 2020, Prof. Dr. Philippe Lefèbvre and Prof. Dr. Müller performed the first-ever European surgeries to implant a TICI, marking a pivotal milestone in cochlear implant history. This breakthrough was made possible by MED-EL’s decades of engineering excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration, culminating in the TICI’s cutting-edge design. The TICI system incorporates advancements in implantable microphone technology, extended battery life, and biocompatible materials, ensuring both durability and long-term usability – innovations that reflect MED-EL’s commitment to addressing patient needs through revolutionary solutions. “Our cochlear implants have already transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands globally,” says Dr. Ingeborg Hochmair, co-founder and CEO of MED-EL. “However, we continuously listen to our users – and one of the clearest wishes they have shared with us is for a device that is invisible and operates effortlessly. The TICI fulfils that vision, thanks to over a decade of tireless dedication from our expert team, collaborators, and partners.”

Looking Ahead

While the feasibility study provides preliminary evidence, the TICI’s success paves the way for future research and development. “Totally implantable cochlear implants are the future of hearing technology,” states Dr. Hochmair. “This innovation is a profound leap forward in usability, aesthetics, and user satisfaction, reaffirming our mission to eliminate hearing loss as a barrier to communication and quality of life.” 

TICI remains under research and is not available for commercial use at this time.

The open-access study can be accessed online. 
For updates on the TICI and other MED-EL innovations, please visit the MED-EL website.

Caption: Schematic of the implanted TICI showing positioning of the implant and microphone within the temporal bone. The different components of the TICI are shown in relation to the anatomic structures of the skull and inner ear.

About MED-EL 

MED-EL Medical Electronics, a leader in implantable hearing solutions, is driven by a mission to overcome hearing loss as a barrier to communication and quality of life. The Austrian-based, privately owned business was co-founded by industry pioneers Ingeborg and Erwin Hochmair, whose ground-breaking research led to the development of the world’s first micro-electronic multi-channel cochlear implant (CI), which was successfully implanted in 1977 and was the basis for what is known as the modern CI today. This laid the foundation for the successful growth of the company in 1990, when they hired their first employees. To date, MED-EL has more than 2,900 employees from around 90 nations and 30 locations worldwide.
The company offers the widest range of implantable and non-implantable solutions to treat all types of hearing loss, enabling people in 137 countries enjoy the gift of hearing with the help of a MED-EL device. MED-EL’s hearing solutions include cochlear and middle ear implant systems, a combined electric acoustic stimulation hearing implant system, auditory brainstem implants as well as surgical and non-surgical bone conduction devices. www.medel.com   

CEO

Doz. DI Dr DDr med. h.c. Ingeborg Hochmair

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