MED-EL Launches World’s First Commercially Available Totally Invisible Cochlear Implant

MED-EL, a global leader in hearing implant technology, has unveiled TICI UNICO, the world’s first and only commercially available totally invisible cochlear implant. TICI UNICO is designed for individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss and enables continuous hearing throughout the day and night, without any external devices.

This innovative cochlear implant marks a significant milestone in the history of hearing, as it is the first of its kind to provide complete invisibility while maintaining comparable hearing performance to established cochlear implant solutions. The device has received CE Mark approval and is being introduced in European markets.

MED-EL co-founder and CEO Dr. Ingeborg Hochmair expressed her excitement about TICI UNICO, stating, "For the first time, invisible hearing with a cochlear implant is possible. This is a milestone for people with hearing loss and the result of decades of research and innovation at MED-EL."

The device's innovation lies in its unique microphone technology, which captures sound through the skin, overcoming the long-standing challenge of creating a totally invisible cochlear implant. Professors Philippe Lefèbvre of CHU Liège and Joachim Müller of LMU University Hospital Munich emphasize the significance of TICI UNICO, noting that "twenty-four-hour, invisible hearing opens the door to a completely new generation of hearing implants."

Thomas, one of the first TICI UNICO recipients, shared his experience, saying, "I wake up hearing, fall asleep hearing, and can enjoy everyday moments without having to think about my hearing device."