[en] [en] BACKGROUND: Cochlear implants (CIs) are neuroprosthetic devices which restore hearing in severe-to-profound hearing loss through electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve. Current CIs use an externally worn audio processor. A long-term goal in the field has been to develop a device in which all components are contained within a single implant. Here, we present initial clinical results with the totally implantable cochlear implant (TICI). The primary objective of this study was to assess the safety of the device in adults who suffer from bilateral severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss.
METHODS: This study used a design with non-randomized single group assignment (trial registration: NCT04571333). Six implantations took place beginning in September 2020. Data collection took place at the two participating CI centers. Adverse events (the primary outcome), speech perception, patient reported outcomes, and device usage statistics were collected over the subsequent 52 weeks. A within-subjects comparison was used in which each participant was evaluated both with the TICI and with an external SONNET audio processor.
RESULTS: One anticipated serious adverse device effect (ASADE) occurred. After treatment the event resolved without sequelae. No unanticipated serious adverse device effects (USADE) occurred. Speech perception in quiet and in noise scores were comparable between the TICI and the SONNET audio processor. Scores on the validated patient reported outcome instruments HUI3, SSQ-12, and HISQUI-19 all increased over the duration of the study. User satisfaction scores as reported in their daily diary also increased over the duration of the study. Based on device usage metrics, all but one user used the TICI without an external processor the majority of the time.
CONCLUSIONS: The primary outcome of assessing the safety of the device was achieved. The TICI provides high levels of hearing performance, comparable to those of a conventional CI. The development of the TICI expands the range of options for treatment of hearing loss. [en] Cochlear implants (CI) are used to treat severe-to-profound hearing loss. The current generation of CIs use an externally worn audio processor to capture sounds and convert them to electrical signals. These signals are then transmitted to an implant which electrically stimulates the cochlea to produce sound sensations. A totally implantable CI (TICI) has been developed in which the components of the audio processor are integrated into the implant, removing the need to wear an external audio processor. In this study, the authors present clinical results from a feasibility study where the TICI was implanted in six patients. Safety and performance with the TICI were comparable to a conventional CI. This device will benefit people with severe-to-profound hearing loss.
Disciplines :
Otolaryngology
Author, co-author :
Lefèbvre, Philippe ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences cliniques > Oto-rhino-laryngologie et audiophonologie
Müller, Joachim; Klinikum der Universität München, Campus Großhadern, Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Marchioninistraße 12, 81377, München, Germany
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