Invisible hearing: new implant hides under the skin
NCT ID NCT07139327
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Sep 09, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tests a new type of cochlear implant that is completely hidden under the skin, with no external processor. It is designed for adults with severe hearing loss who do not get enough benefit from hearing aids. The implant picks up sound through a microphone under the skin, and researchers will check how well it helps people hear and understand speech.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- totally implantable cochlear implant system (TICI G2)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a more convenient, invisible hearing solution for people with severe hearing loss, eliminating the need for external devices.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early, small study (36 people) testing a new device. It may not work as well as current implants, and risks include surgical complications or device failure.
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 36 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Dec 2025
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2027
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 post-linguistic moderately severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss (PTA4 of \>55 dB HL), in the ear to be implanted. * Meets local candidacy criteria for cochlear implantation. * Compromised functional hearing with a hearing aid in the ear to be implanted, as determined by the investigator. * Willing to undergo unilateral cochlear implantation. * 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. * Cochlear ossification, cochlear 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. * Preexisting skin condition that could jeopardize wound healing, as determined 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 subject's participation or safety during the clinical investigation. * Women who are pregnant. * 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. * Unable or unwilling to comply with the requirements of the clinical investigation as determined by the Investigator (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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes
La Tronche, 38700, France
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Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille
Lille, 59000, France
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Macquarie University Hospital
Macquarie, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
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Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Camperdown, New South Wales, 2050, Australia
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Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital
East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002, Australia
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St Vincent's Private Hospital
East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002, Australia
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Westmead Private Hospital
Westmead, New South Wales, 2145, Australia
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Westmead Public Hospital
Westmead, New South Wales, 2145, Australia
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
- Invisible hearing implant could change lives of those with severe hearing loss
- Could 3D-Printed ear tips make hearing aids more comfortable?
- Why don't hearing aids work well in noisy rooms? study seeks answers.