UH Joins ELEVATE Trial of Fully Implantable Cochlear Device

University Hospitals is the only Ohio site in a Phase 3 study of an investigational cochlear implant placed entirely under the skin.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Stroke

Close view of a small curved implant-shaped medical device resting on a steel tray in cool clinical light, suggesting a fully internal hearing technology. — University Hospitals became the only Ohio site enrolling patients in the Phase 3 ELEVATE trial of a cochlear implant designed to sit entirely under the skin. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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University Hospitals began enrolling patients in the ELEVATE Phase 3 trial of the Totally Implantable Cochlear Implant, an investigational device designed for placement completely under the skin. Trial enrollment concluded for 56 participants at 11 national sites, and three patients have received the device at University Hospitals.

Why it matters

Many patients with conventional cochlear implants remove the external component when sleeping, showering, or swimming, leaving them totally deaf at those times. If fully implantable technology proves successful, it may help expand access to hearing restoration for patients who have been reluctant to consider cochlear implantation.

The trial enrolled 56 participants at 11 national sites, with three devices placed at University Hospitals, and each participant will be followed for one year. Less than 5 percent of eligible adults currently receive a cochlear implant, and no outcome results from the study have been reported yet.

The players

University Hospitals

University Hospitals is a major Cleveland-based health system whose Northeast Ohio hospitals serve as the sole Ohio site in the ELEVATE trial.

Cochlear

Cochlear is an Australian medical device company that specializes in cochlear implants and sponsors the ELEVATE Phase 3 study.

The details

The investigational Totally Implantable Cochlear Implant is designed for placement completely under the skin, with the microphone and battery implanted rather than worn externally. Participants are adults with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss and poor speech understanding, and the study is sponsored by Cochlear.

Trial enrollment has concluded for 56 participants across 11 national sites.
Three patients have recently received the device at University Hospitals.
Participants will be followed for one year to assess hearing performance and safety.

Health Landscape

Conventional external cochlear implant systems require patients to remove the external processor for sleeping, showering, or swimming. The ELEVATE trial tests whether a fully implanted system can address that limitation and widen access to hearing restoration.

Patients with moderate to severe hearing loss may one day have an implant that requires no external component. The investigational device is not yet commercially available, and the trial is still collecting one-year follow-up data.

The takeaway

A fully implantable cochlear device could remove a daily barrier for patients who currently must take off their external processor. Results from the one-year follow-up will determine whether the technology is safe and effective enough to expand access.