[Fully implantable hearing systems].

As yet comparatively little experience has been gained with fully implantable hearing systems, as the two systems available at present have only recently received CE permission for Europe and the FDA permissions are still pending in the USA. Additionally the technology is expensive and usually not covered by insurance companies. However, it could be shown that by careful patient selection and very careful surgical techniques, good results can be achieved with this highly sensitive technology, often with better patient satisfaction and hearing quality than with conventional hearing aids. To spread the technology further, the systems must also show reliable results on a broad application. Further surgery to change the batteries should not be necessary more frequently than with cardiac pacemakers. Not all technical problems are finally solved. However, it is to be foreseen that fully implantable hearing systems will be a good long-term alternative to conventional hearing aids for some patients.