AN COMPLETELY IMPLANTABLE HEARING-AID FOR SENSORINEURAL HEARING-LOSS - TICA(R) LZ-3001

Recently, Zenner et al. implanted the first totally implantable electr onic hearing devices in patients with SNHL (HNO 46 [1998] 844-852). In the present report, technical and audiological features of the implan t TICA are published. The development of the piezoelectric transducer and the microphone for implantation in the posterior wall of the audit ory canal as components for the present fully implantable hearing syst em has already been described (HNO 45, 1997, 792-880). Here we report about our experience with the electronic main module that completes th e TICA IZ 3001 system. This module is suited for implantation in the m astoid bone and contains the signal-processing electronics and an inte grated battery that can be recharged transcutaneously with a portable charger. The recharging ti me is around 2 h for an implant operating t ime of 50 h. The microphone and transducer connectors allow for easy r eplacement of the main module when the battery lifetime is reached. Th is lifetime is around 3-5 years. A small wireless remote control allow s volume adjustment, contains an on/off switch, and permits selection of four different individual hearing programs. The basic audiological features are provided by a flexible,digitally programmable 3-channel-A GC-system with a peak clipping function. The total bandwidth is around 10 kHz. To our knowledge this is the first fully implantable hearing system that has been in implanted in humans.