Cochlear Implant Surgery in 2025: From Robotics to Anatomy-Based Fitting

What Is Cochlear Implant Surgery?

Cochlear implant surgery is a specialized procedure that helps restores hearing. It does this through bypassing the damaged hair cells in the inner ear.

During the operation, a surgeon carefully inserts a small electronic implant into the cochlea. This implant is made up of a receiver and an electrode array. They work together to convert sound into electrical signals that stimulate the auditory nerve. This allows the brain to perceive sound.

Surgery for cochlear implants is carried out by an experienced ENT surgeon and is considered a routine procedure. It’s estimated that over 200,000 people in the United States alone have had cochlear implant surgery.

Cochlear implant surgery is mainly used to treat severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss.

Cochlear Implant Surgery Procedure

Cochlear implant surgery is not generally considered to be a major surgery. Typically, it’s performed under general anesthesia and takes about two hours.

After surgery, you can expect to go home the same day. Recovery typically takes a week or two.

Although it involves implanting a medical device, CI surgery is minimally invasive and has a low risk of complications.

Cochlear Implant Surgery: Step-by-Step

1. Using Anesthesia

Cochlear implant surgery is usually done under general anesthetic, which puts you into a sleep-like state. This means you’ll feel no pain and won’t be aware of the surgery.

2. Creating the Incision

Your surgeon will make a small cut behind your ear. Sometimes the area will need to be shaved first. Then the surgeon will make a small hole in the mastoid bone (the part of the skull behind the ear.)

3. Placing the Receiver

After this, your surgeon will put the receiver part of the implant in a pocket between the muscle and bone behind your ear.

4. Placing the Electrode

Next, your surgeon will make a small opening in the inner ear (cochlea). They will then place the electrode array inside the cochlea.

5. Closing it Up

With the implant successfully in place, your surgeon will stitch up the incision. Most likely, you will have dissolvable stitches that don’t need to be removed later.

6. Testing the Implant

Sometimes an audiologist will make some initial tests while you’re still in the operating theater. Once this is done, you’ll be taken to another room while the anesthetic wears off.

7. Rest and Recover

You might be able to go home the same day as your surgery, or you might need to stay overnight for observation. Your medical team will advise you on how to look after your wound while it heals.

Watch Vera’s Journey: The Surgery

Want a closer look at what happens during cochlear implant surgery? In this video, Vera prepares for the operation, meets with her clinical team, and undergoes cochlear implant surgery.

Using Robotics for Precision Surgery

Cochlear implant technology is developing all the time. Some of the newer innovations are robot-assisted surgical tools like OTOARM and OTODRIVE,* which were launched in 2024.

These machine-assisted tools are designed to aid precision and consistency during ear surgery. This precision makes it easier to preserve delicate structures in the inner ear. The result? You’re more likely to keep you remaining hearing, and you’ll be more likely to benefit from future innovations in hearing technology.

• Protect your hearing structures
• Keep your residual hearing
• Access future hearing technology

Surgical Planning for More Individualized Hearing

New technology also lets surgeons offer a more individualized approach to cochlear implant surgery. With surgical planning tools like OTOPLAN, surgeons can automatically measure your inner ear. This makes it easy for them to select the right electrode array for your individual cochlea, helping you get the most out of your cochlear implant.

OTOPLAN comes in handy after surgery, too. Your audiologist can use it to perform anatomy-based fitting. This creates a fitting map synched to the natural pitches in your cochlea, bringing you one step closer to natural hearing with a CI.

Cochlear Implant Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Advantages of Robotic Surgery?

Robot-assisted surgery lets surgeons reach a new level of precision during cochlear implant surgery. More precise surgery reduces the chances of trauma to the inner ear, while also helping preserve its delicate structures. This can help reduce the time it takes to recover from surgery and improve hearing outcomes. It also means that you can benefit from future hearing technologies.

Which Clinics Already Use OTOARM and OTODRIVE?

Right now, clinics in several European countries already use OTOARM or OTODRIVE. For a complete list of clinics using this technology in your country, please contact us here.

How Long Does Cochlear Implant Surgery Take?

Cochlear implant surgery typically takes around two to four hours, depending on the complexity of the case. It will also take longer if you’re getting both ears implanted. In many cases, you can return home the same day. Some clinicians recommend a one-night hospital stay for observation.

When Will Someone Start Hearing After Cochlear Implant Surgery?

Your audiologist can activate your cochlear implant after your wound has healed. This initial activation usually happens around four weeks after your surgery. Your audiologist will program your new audio processor and you will hear sounds with your cochlear implant for the first time.