Novel drug-releasing electrode protects hearing during cochlear implantation

Cochlear implants are life-changing biomedical devices that restore sound perception for individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. However, the surgical insertion of standard electrodes into the delicate inner ear often triggers acute inflammation, tissue scarring and secondary damage to remaining sensory hair cells and auditory neurons. This trauma can compromise electrical stimulation efficiency and lead to the irreversible loss of residual hearing.

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