China's first fully internal cochlear implant, which has recently been unveiled in Shanghai, is poised to address the stigma sometimes associated with wearing cochlear implants and help recipients better integrate into society.

The innovative new device, co-developed by Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital and MicroPort — a medical device manufacturer based in Shanghai, is entirely concealed after implantation. This is achieved by integrating the function of the external component of traditional cochlear implants into an internal design.

Cochlear implants are medical devices designed for individuals with severe hearing loss who are unable to understand speech using conventional hearing aids. These devices bypass damaged parts of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve, sending signals to the brain that are recognized as sound.

Traditional cochlear implants consist of both internal and external components. However, their external components can be prone to loss and may contribute to feelings of self-consciousness or social stigma, limiting their acceptance and widespread use.

The newly-developed fully internal cochlear implant eliminates these concerns, making wearers visually indistinguishable from others. This advancement is expected to encourage more individuals with hearing impairments to consider the technology.

China has hearing-impaired population of more than 20 million, with over 10 million potentially benefiting from cochlear implants. Yet, only around 130,000 people in the country have undergone cochlear implant surgeries to date.

Due to high technological barriers, there are currently no fully internal cochlear implant products available on the global market. This new tech is classified as a "breakthrough medical device" by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The Shanghai Ninth People's Hospial and MicroPort team spent five years developing the fully internal cochlear implant, achieving breakthroughs in highly-sensitive subcutaneous acoustic sensor technology. The device also incorporates artificial intelligence algorithms to enhance noise reduction and improve music perception for users. Additionally, it is compatible with 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning.

The development of independently patented subcutaneous acoustic sensors and the completion of experimental animals trials mark a significant milestone in the clinical validation phase of the domestically produced cochlear implant.

Source: Shanghai Observer