Among them, the groundbreaking Mi2000 implant is being hailed as a revolutionary step in ear surgery.
The Mi2000 is the first fully implantable hearing device in Poland. Unlike conventional implants, which consist of an external sound processor and an internal component, the Mi2000 is completely placed under the skin, making it invisible, more durable, and more comfortable for patients.
Prof. Henryk Skarżyński, the director of the Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing in Kajetany, described the procedure as a significant milestone.
"Today is a day of great joy because we are offering patients new technologies, giving them a chance to hear what they never have or what they have lost," Skarżyński said.
The fully implantable Mi2000 device is currently part of a clinical research project, with five carefully selected patients expected to receive it.
Skarżyński explained that the device allows patients to hear sounds optimally and understand speech clearly while reducing internal body noises, such as swallowing or heartbeat sounds. The implant also features external, non-invasive charging.
“Today’s patient will be able to hear just like any of us,” Skarżyński said, adding that she will receive support from doctors, psychologists and speech therapists to regain full hearing functionality as quickly as possible.
The procedure's complexity is significantly higher than standard surgeries due to the precision required. "I have been part of nearly every implementation of new solutions in Poland and many firsts globally," Skarżyński remarked.
Prof. Piotr Skarżyński, Henryk’s son, who co-led the surgery, emphasized the implant’s practical benefits. Fully implantable devices enable patients to participate in water sports and work in environments with high levels of dust. He estimated that the Mi2000 could become widely available within one to four years.
Prof. Artur Lorens, head of the institute’s Implant and Auditory Perception Department, highlighted the broader impact of the Mi2000.
"This invisible implant not only represents a technological breakthrough but also fulfills patients’ dreams of a device that is completely hidden," Lorens said.
He noted that hearing loss often carries social stigma due to visible external devices. “Now, patients will be freed from these accessories and can fully rejoin the world of the hearing," he added.
In addition to the Mi2000, surgeons implanted the SENTIO device—a miniature hearing aid—into an adult and the OSIA middle-ear implant into a child. Both technologies are already available and eligible for reimbursement by Poland’s National Health Fund (NFZ).
The World Hearing Center in Kajetany is recognized globally for its pioneering contributions to audiology and hearing-related surgery.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP