This is what the future sounds like: first smart hearing system implanted

“It’s comparable to the leap in innovation from push-button cell phones to the first smartphones,” says ESI member Prof. Dr. Dr. Ulrich Hoppe, head of audiology and the CICERO Cochlear Implant Center at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic – Head and Neck Surgery (director: Prof. Dr. Sarina Müller) at Erlangen University Hospital. He is referring to the world’s first smart cochlear implant system from market leader Cochlear Ltd., which for the first time includes an integrated processor and memory chip. The official market launch was in June 2025, but the new system has been in use at CICERO since July 2024. This is because the Erlangen ENT clinic is one of only three centers worldwide that have been selected by the Australian manufacturer for the so-called Controlled Market Release. “Last year, we were able to successfully implant over 100 of these new implants – putting us well ahead of other clinics,” reports Prof. Hoppe. “The fact that Cochlear Ltd. chose us as a partner for the market launch underscores the high level of expertise at our clinic – and the international recognition of Prof. Dr. Joachim Hornung, who, as deputy clinic director, performs the operations with the innovative implant.”

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