UAE’s first active middle ear implant restores natural hearing for 63-year-old woman

Patient had suffered from mixed hearing loss and chronic ear infections for several years

Last updated: May 02, 2025 | 12:31

2 MIN READ

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi successfully completes pioneering technology for hearing loss treatment in the UAE with the first active middle ear implant.

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Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s first active middle ear implant procedure has been successfully completed at a hospital in Abu Dhabi, offering new hope for patients with complex hearing loss.
A 63-year-old female patient, suffering from mixed hearing loss and chronic ear infections for several years, benefitted from the groundbreaking surgery performed at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD), part of the M42 group. Due to the patient’s condition, previous traditional treatments and surgeries had been unsuccessful. The procedure now offers her a restored sense of hearing and a greatly improved quality of life.

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Modern solution

The active middle ear implant is a modern solution designed for individuals who suffer from both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss – where both the middle and inner ear are affected. Unlike regular hearing aids that simply amplify sound through the outer ear, this device bypasses the damaged structures of the middle ear while enhancing sound for the inner ear, offering a more natural hearing experience.

Dr Kurt Schlemmer, Staff Physician in Otolaryngology (ENT) and, Head and Neck Surgery at CCAD, led the procedure, noted that the procedure is transformative for patients who have complex middle and inner ear damage and have not had success with traditional treatments.
“The implant bridges the gap between the inner and middle ear, offering a solution that restores natural acoustic hearing while bypassing the damaged areas.”

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Key advantages
The implant is made up of two parts: an internal component that is surgically placed in the middle ear, and an external sound processor, worn above the ear and held in place with a magnet. This two-part system works together to transmit sound directly to the inner ear, allowing the patient to hear more clearly.

One of the key advantages of this technology is the reduced recovery time, making it a safer and quicker option for patients who have previously faced complications with conventional treatments.

“This surgery is a milestone for our team and for patients in the region, as it opens up new possibilities for those living with hearing loss.”