World’s First Fully Implanted Cochlear Implant Reaches Patients

spectrum.ieee.org · 2026-10-05 · by Long Nguyen ·generic
MED-EL launches the first fully implantable cochlear implant. Its microphone, processor, and battery are all beneath the skin, eliminating the need for externally worn components.

World’s First Fully Implanted Cochlear Implant Reaches Patients

BiomedicalNews

World’s First Fully Implanted Cochlear Implant Reaches Patients

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Users get round-the-clock hearing with no visible external hardware

Edd Gent

30 Sep 2026

3 min read

Edd Gent is a contributing editor for IEEE Spectrum.

Schematic illustration of a fully internal cochlear implant.

Med-El’s new cochlear implant places its microphone, sound processor, rechargeable battery, and receiver coil beneath the scalp.

Source image: Med-El

spectrum.ieee.org · 2 images · 93 links

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