UKSH Kiel Pioneers Use of Next-Generation “Smart” Cochlear Implant
Kiel, Germany – The University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel Campus, is at the forefront of hearing restoration, becoming one of the first medical centers globally to implement a novel, software-upgradeable cochlear implant system in routine clinical practice. The Department of Ear, Nose and throat Medicine and Head and Neck Surgery began utilizing the innovative technology in July 2024.
This new system, manufactured by Cochlear, represents a significant advancement in cochlear implant technology. Unlike previous models, it allows for post-operative adjustments and improvements via software updates, eliminating the need for further surgical procedures. Individual hearing profiles are stored directly within the implant itself, simplifying the process of switching external sound processors and enhancing user convenience.
Hanns Lothar Kaempfe,a patient who has been benefiting from the new implant for six months,shared his positive experience: “I’m thrilled to be able to hear again. The ease of use and independent control through my smartphone are also incredibly vital to me.”
cochlear implants are elegant electronic devices designed to restore hearing in individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. They bypass damaged portions of the inner ear by directly stimulating the auditory nerve with an electrode inserted into the cochlea. Triumphant outcomes rely on precise programming and a skilled clinical team.
Dr. goetz Brademann, a senior physician at the UKSH ENT clinic, explained the implantation process: ”The implant is placed under the skin behind the ear in an approximately 90-minute procedure. A delicate electrode is then inserted into the cochlea, and the external sound processor converts sound into electrical signals, enabling hearing.”
The UKSH’s ENT clinic on the Kiel campus provides comprehensive ear,nose,and throat care,encompassing advanced tumor surgery,hearing rehabilitation,and reconstructive procedures. The clinic specializes in cochlear implant care, head and neck tumor treatment, and pediatric ENT. A multidisciplinary team – including medical specialists, audiologists, speech therapists, and experts in physics and hearing acoustics – collaborates to deliver patient-centered care.
Central to this care is the Cochlear Implant Center Kiel-Schleswig, a joint facility of the UKSH ENT University Clinic and the State Hearing Advancement Center in Schleswig sence 1995. For over three decades, the center has provided complete care for cochlear implant recipients, from initial evaluation through surgery and ongoing aftercare, including rehabilitation courses for both children and adults, and collaboration with CI self-help groups and state support services.
for more details: www.uksh.de/hno-kiel
Event Declaration: The Cochlear Implant Center Schleswig-Kiel will celebrate its 30th anniversary on November 15, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the UKSH, Kiel Campus (House C, Surgery Lecture hall). Register to attend by emailing audio@uksh.de.
