Suffering from progressive, profound hearing loss, the 39-year-old patient underwent a procedure never before performed in Italy. He is recovering well and hopes to hear again soon.
You can’t see it, but you can hear it. Loud and clear. Thanks to Italy’s first robotic cochlear implant procedure, performed at Policlinico di Milano, 39-year-old Paolo now has a chance to regain his hearing after living with progressive, profound deafness – without the need for external devices.
In recent days, Paolo received a totally implantable cochlear implant (TICI), an “invisible” system in which all components are placed beneath the skin. Introduced in Italy just three weeks ago, this technology offers people with severe to profound hearing loss continuous access to sound throughout the day, including while sleeping or taking part in water-based activities.
Paolo’s condition had been monitored for some time by the Audiology team at Policlinico di Milano. Although still young, his hearing had continued to deteriorate, significantly affecting the quality of life of the young father, a sports enthusiast who loves spending time outdoors with his children. His conventional hearing aids were becoming less effective due to progressive, genetically related deterioration of the cochlea.
Given his particular clinical circumstances, Paolo was considered a suitable candidate for this treatment. The procedure involved implanting a completely innovative device capable of detecting sounds through the skin. Unlike conventional hearing aids, it has no external components, not even a microphone. Instead, sounds are detected through the skin and converted into electrical signals that stimulate the cochlea, allowing auditory information to reach the brain through the auditory nerve.
The operation, the first of its kind in Italy to be performed using robotic surgery, was carried out by Diego Zanetti, Director of Audiology at Policlinico di Milano, within the Surgical Area headed by Lorenzo Pignataro. The procedure was performed in collaboration with neuroradiologist Giorgio Conte and specialists from the hospital’s Interventional Neuroradiology Department, who processed the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans needed to select the most suitable electrode and guide the surgical procedure.
“Suitability for this type of treatment is determined by specific clinical criteria. We carefully assessed whether this young patient with profound deafness was a suitable candidate and what benefits he could expect,” explained Diego Zanetti. “Robotic surgery allowed us to operate with even greater precision, preserving the delicate structures of the cochlea and supporting faster post-operative recovery. The patient was discharged just two days after surgery. We are now waiting for the tissues to heal completely before activating the new subcutaneous device.”
This first operation is a success that demonstrates how advanced surgical technology, combined with access to innovative solutions, enables healthcare professionals to offer increasingly comprehensive and cutting-edge treatments. At Policlinico di Milano, a multidisciplinary IRCCS research hospital, this is made possible by our commitment to translational research, which brings scientific knowledge directly into clinical practice for the benefit of patients. Policlinico di Milano is a leading centre for the treatment of hearing loss, with dedicated, highly specialised teams caring for patients of all ages, from children to older adults.
Nicola Vincenzo Orfeo, General Director of Policlinico di Milano.
The operation, performed under general anaesthesia, lasted a few hours. Activation is scheduled for three weeks after surgery, following which Paolo will be able to resume his life “at full volume”, without having to wear an external device or worry about it being damaged or lost. Above all, he is looking forward to hearing his children’s voices again.
