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Erlangen: Revolutionary cochlear implant brings new hearing life!
At Erlangen University Hospital, Prof. Hoppe successfully introduces cochlear implants that improve the quality of life of patients like Elke L.
Erlangen: Revolutionary cochlear implant brings new hearing life!
On August 4, 2025, a significant step in the development of hearing aids was taken at the Erlanger ENT Clinic. Prof. Dr. Dr. Ulrich Hoppe installed the speech processor of a smart cochlear implant on the patient Elke L. After activating and adjusting the implant, Elke L. can hear in her right ear again. This innovative technology is used in Erlangen at CICERO, one of the few clinics in the world that uses the Cochlear Ltd. system. applied.
The smart cochlear implant system is the first of its kind and was launched on the market in June 2025, while deployments at CICERO began in July 2024. Around 100 new implants were successfully inserted last year. These devices are particularly important for people whose hearing loss can no longer be compensated for with conventional hearing aids. The cochlear implants convert sound into electrical signals and stimulate the auditory nerve directly in the inner ear.
Individual treatment and aftercare
Elke L. suffers from hearing loss, which she suffered after a sudden hearing loss in the summer of 2022. In 2025, she opted for the cochlear implant, with the surgery performed through a small incision in the skin behind the ear. The implant is fixed under the skin and the electrodes are inserted directly into the cochlea. The procedure takes about an hour and has a high success rate. Around 170 cochlear implantations are carried out in Erlangen every year, the first taking place there in 1993.
After a healing period of approximately three weeks, the speech processor is attached. A team of audiologists, speech therapists and therapists supports patients with fine-tuning and acclimatization. Elke L. reports a significant improvement in her sound perception and quality of life after the operation.
Technological advances
The smart cochlear implant offers numerous advantages. It stores individual hearing data in the body, eliminating the need to readjust if the external device is lost. Its firmware can be updated, minimizing the number of necessary interventions. The system remains functional even in the event of disruptions caused by moisture or magnetic fields. In addition, automatic position control of the electrodes is possible, which optimizes the treatment.
The current study by Müller J et al., published in “Language · Voice · Hearing” in 2024, shows that the indications for cochlear implant care have expanded in recent years. This includes, among other things, bilateral and bimodal care as well as implantation in cases of residual hearing and unilateral deafness. A trend towards individualization in the selection of electrodes and preoperative planning can also be observed.
Developments in this area not only enable long-term preservation of residual hearing, but also improved speech understanding. Modern intraoperative techniques and improved imaging procedures have significantly expanded the possibilities in cochlear implant care. Developments include the use of robotic aids in electrode placement and adaptation techniques for frequency-location mapping.
These advances could further improve the quality of life and communication options of patients with hearing loss, underscoring the importance of research and development in this area.