Med-El launches world’s first fully implanted cochlear implant

Austrian company Med-El has launched the TICI Unico, the world’s first commercially available fully implanted cochlear implant. Unlike conventional devices that require an external sound processor worn behind the ear, this technology implants all components, including the microphone, beneath the skin.

Developed over 15 years, the device has received European regulatory approval. Clinical trials involving 30 patients indicated that the fully implanted system provides hearing performance comparable to traditional external models. The technology allows users to hear continuously, including while sleeping or swimming, without the social stigma or physical limitations associated with visible external hardware.

While the first commercial implantations have already been performed, the device is not yet available in the United States.