Fully implantable cochlear implant helps mother hear her baby in Austria

Doctors at Kepler Universitätsklinikum in Upper Austria performed one of the first fully implantable cochlear implants in the German-speaking region.

A young mother who suffered from a severe hearing impairment previously could not hear her own baby cry. Following the surgery, the woman reported that she can now hear her children and no longer worries about her ability to monitor them during the night.

Paul Martin Zwittag, the head of the clinic for ear, nose, and throat at Kepler Universitätsklinikum, stated that the technology provides patients with a new way to hear. Because the device is fully internal, it offers more freedom and a better quality of life for daily activities. For example, a swimmer who is scheduled for the procedure will be able to wear the implant continuously without fear of water damage or losing the device.

The technology currently has regulatory approval for adults only. However, the clinic expects the approval to expand to children next year. This expansion could create new opportunities for the language development of children who require these devices.