Invisible hearing implant could change lives of those with severe hearing loss
NCT ID NCT07287124
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 31, 2026 · Updated 4 times
Summary
This study is testing a new type of cochlear implant that is completely hidden under the skin, with no visible parts outside the ear. It is for adults with severe hearing loss due to inner ear or nerve damage. The goal is to see if the implant helps people understand speech better and improves their daily life, while also checking for any side effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 56 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Apr 2026
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals aged 18 years and older at time of consent. * Clinically established sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) defined by a four frequency (500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz) pure-tone average unaided threshold (PTA4) of ≥70 dB HL in the ear to be implanted. * Compromised functional hearing in the aided condition defined as ≤40% correct on a word recognition test in the ear to be implanted. * Clinically established SNHL defined by a four-frequency (500, 1000, 2000 \& 4000 Hz) pure-tone average unaided threshold (PTA4) of ≥30 dB HL in the contralateral ear. * Candidate is a fluent speaker in the language used to assess speech perception performance as determined by the investigator. * Direct access to a compatible Smart Phone. * Willing and able to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Prior cochlear implantation, in either ear, or medical plan for cochlear implantation during the clinical investigation, contralateral to the ear to be implanted. * Candidates with single-sided deafness as determined by the investigator. * Intra-axial (within-the-brain) lesions or deafness due to lesions of the acoustic nerve affecting the ear to be implanted. * Middle ear infection (including acute otitis media, chronic otitis media, suppurative otitis media, or serous drainage) in the ear to be implanted either at the time of surgery or within 3 months prior to enrolment. * Presence of a tympanic membrane perforation or a history of otologic surgery within 3 months prior to enrolment, in the ear to be implanted. * Previously reported diagnosis of auditory neuropathy, in the ear to be implanted. * Ossification, malformation or any other cochlear anomaly, such as common cavity, that might prevent complete insertion of the electrode array, in the ear to be implanted. * Current cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts or drains, existing perilymph fistula, skull fracture or CSF leaks. * Severe, or poorer, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss prior to 5 years of age, as reported by the participant. * Severe, or poorer, sensorineural hearing loss for more than 20 years, as reported by the participant, in the ear to be implanted. * Medical or psychological conditions that contraindicate general anaesthesia, surgery, or participation in the clinical investigation as determined by the investigator. * Pre-existing skin condition that could jeopardize wound healing as judged by the investigator e.g., psoriasis, dermatitis, use of corticosteroids, uncontrolled diabetes. * Unrealistic expectations on the part of the participant, regarding the possible benefits, risks, and limitations inherent to the surgical procedure(s) and prosthetic devices, as determined by the Investigator. * Additional disabilities that may affect the participant's participation or safety during the clinical investigation. * Unable or unwilling to comply with all requirements of the clinical investigation, as determined by the investigator. * Pregnant or breastfeeding women. * Investigator site personnel directly affiliated with this study and/or their immediate families. Immediate family is defined as spouse, parent, child or sibling. * Cochlear employees or employees of Contract Research Organisations or contractors engaged by Cochlear for the purposes of the investigation. * Current participation, or participation in another interventional clinical study/trial in the past 30 days, involving an investigational drug or device (unless Cochlear sponsored and determined by Investigator or Sponsor to not impact this investigation).
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
11 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hearts for Hearing Foundation
RECRUITINGOklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73120, United States
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Mayo Foundation Rochester
RECRUITINGRochester, Minnesota, 55902, United States
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Michigan Ear Institute
RECRUITINGNovi, Michigan, 48374, United States
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Midwest Ear Institute
RECRUITINGKansas City, Missouri, 64111, United States
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NYU Langone Health
RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10017, United States
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Rocky Mountain Ear Center
RECRUITINGEnglewood, Colorado, 80113, United States
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University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Centre
RECRUITINGBeachwood, Ohio, 44122, United States
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University of Iowa
RECRUITINGIowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
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University of Miami School of Medicine
RECRUITINGMiami, Florida, 33136, United States
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University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics
RECRUITINGSalt Lake City, Utah, 84132, United States
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Washington University School of Medicine
RECRUITINGSt Louis, Missouri, 63108, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can hearing implants boost brain health in seniors?
- Deaf Kids' lungs under microscope: new study reveals hidden weakness
- Drug-Releasing implant aims to boost hearing for adults with severe loss
- Could 3D-Printed ear tips make hearing aids more comfortable?
- Why don't hearing aids work well in noisy rooms? study seeks answers.
- Invisible hearing: new implant hides under the skin