Cochlear ImplantationOGUIDNCT07690995
Evaluating a New Software (OTOGUIDE) to Help Monitor Electrode Insertion During Cochlear Implant Surgery.
A study testing OTOGUIDE software in people with Cochlear Implantation and Monitoring Electrode Insertion, run by MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geräte GmbH at 2 sites in 2 countries.
Trial summary
Cochlear implants are a successful treatment for severe hearing loss in both children and adults. The procedure involves placing an electrode array into the cochlea to stimulate the auditory nerve, helping patients to hear. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Cochlear Implantation, Monitoring Electrode Insertion
- What is being tested?
- OTOGUIDE software
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 42 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesin 2 countries
- Study dates
- 18 Aug 2026to Feb 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Minimum age of eighteen (18) years at time of enrolment.
- Subjects to be implanted with a compatible MED-EL cochlear implant (CI) (Mi1200 SYNCHRONY (PIN), Mi1210 SYNCHRONY ST, Mi1250 SYNCHRONY 2 (PIN), Mi1260 SONATA 2) according to clinical routine.
- Signed and dated informed consent before the start of any study-specific procedure.
Who cannot join
- Previously having received a CI on the ear to be tested (Re-implantation).
- Evidence of ossification or any other cochlear anomaly (e.g., malformation) that might prevent complete insertion of the electrode array or might cause increased risk of infection (e.g. dysplastic cochlear), as confirmed by medical examination and/or as per CT/MRI.
- Known absence of cochlear development or if the cause of deafness is non-functionality of the auditory nerve and/or the upper auditory pathway.
- Evidence of active external or middle ear infection or history of recurrent middle ear infection in the ear to be implanted.
- Acute cholesteatoma
- The tympanic membrane is perforated in the ear to be implanted.
Show all 9Show fewer
- Pre-existing condition known to prohibit CT imaging before and after cochlear implantation.
- Women being pregnant or nursing.
- Anything that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would place the subject at increased risk or preclude the subject's full compliance with or completion of the study.
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 2 countries. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
2 sites in 2 countries
Austria1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Medizinische Universität Innsbruck
Innsbruck, Tyrol, 6020
Joachim Schmutzhard, Prof. Dr. med., +43 512 504 23141, Joachim.Schmutzhard@i-med.ac.at
Germany1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Klinikum der Universität München, Campus Großhadern Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde
Munich, Bavaria, 81377
Florian Simon, Dr.med., +49894400-81449, florian.simon@med.uni-muenchen.de
About this study
Official title: Monitoring Electrode Insertion During Cochlear Implant Surgery With OTOGUIDE
Cochlear implants are a successful treatment for severe hearing loss in both children and adults. The procedure involves placing an electrode array into the cochlea to stimulate the auditory nerve, helping patients to hear. For the best results, it's crucial to place the electrode precisely and gently to avoid damaging delicate structures inside the ear. However, currently, surgeons lack feedback on the insertion status, making it difficult to confirm correct electrode positioning, especially regarding insertion depth, such as angle, frequency, or millimeters. New technologies are being developed to provide feedback during surgery, helping surgeons place the electrode more accurately. One such technology, recently developed by MED-EL, is called OTOGUIDE. This software offers immediate information on the electrode's position and functioning during the operation, aiming to improve surgical precision and hearing outcomes.
This clinical investigation aims to evaluate the performance and safety of OTOGUIDE, which assists surgeons during cochlear implant procedures by helping identify the position and angle of electrode contacts placed inside the cochlea. The primary objective is to confirm that OTOGUIDE can accurately detect which electrodes are inserted into the cochlea, with results that are more than 80% consistent with standard CT imaging (either during or after surgery). The secondary objective is to verify that OTOGUIDE can estimate the insertion angle of a specific electrode (C1) with a margin of error smaller than 60 degrees compared to CT imaging.
Participants who agree to take part and sign the informed consent form will undergo up to three study visit, which coincides with their scheduled routine cochlear implant surgery visits. During the Surgery Visit intraoperative measurements will be performed using both OTOGUIDE and the MAESTRO system. CT imaging (either during or after surgery, depending on routine clinical practice) will be used to verify the electrode array's position inside the cochlea.
- Being tested
- OTOGUIDE software
- Keywords
- OTOGUIDE, Electrode insertion, impedance
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
OTOGUIDE softwareDevice
OTOGUIDE performs objective measurements to enable the monitoring of the electrode insertion and the functioning of the electrode. OTOGUIDE guides the users through a workflow-based session to assess the implant status and to define a surgical approach. The users can plan an insertion target and monitor the real-time electrode insertion using an impedance-based method to automatically detect the number of contacts inside the cochlea.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring electrode insertion with OTOGUIDE | Other | Monitoring electrode insertion with OTOGUIDE during routine cochlear implantation Receives: Device: OTOGUIDE software |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Number of inserted electrodes
The primary endpoint is the agreement rate between OTOGUIDE and intra- or post-operative CT imaging in detecting which contacts in an electrode array are inserted and which are not inserted in the cochlea.
Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Secondary outcomes (1)
Insertion angle of C1 electrode contact
The secondary endpoint is the deviation (i.e., the absolute difference) between the insertion angle for the C1 electrode contact estimated by OTOGUIDE and the insertion angle as assessed with intra- or post-operative CT imaging.
Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Jul 2026
- Study start18 Aug 2026
- Primary completionDec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionFeb 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Cochlear ImplantationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geräte GmbHThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Diagnosis
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Model description
- This study has been planned as multi-center, prospective, one arm, within-subject control post-market study.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geräte GmbH
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07690995
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MED-EL_CRD_2024_04
- Acronym
- OGUID
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 11 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 22 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Monitoring Electrode Insertion During Cochlear Implant Surgery With OTOGUIDE
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07690995
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- OGUID / MED-EL_CRD_2024_04
- Keywords
- OTOGUIDE, Electrode insertion, impedance
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geräte GmbHIndustry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Study start
- 18 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Feb 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 8 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Cochlear implants are a successful treatment for severe hearing loss in both children and adults. The procedure involves placing an electrode array into the cochlea to stimulate the auditory nerve, helping patients to hear. For the best results, it's crucial to place the electrode precisely and gently to avoid damaging delicate structures inside the ear. However, currently, surgeons lack feedback on the insertion status, making it difficult to confirm correct electrode positioning, especially regarding insertion depth, such as angle, frequency, or millimeters. New technologies are being developed to provide feedback during surgery, helping surgeons place the electrode more accurately. One such technology, recently developed by MED-EL, is called OTOGUIDE. This software offers immediate information on the electrode's position and functioning during the operation, aiming to improve surgical precision and hearing outcomes.
This clinical investigation aims to evaluate the performance and safety of OTOGUIDE, which assists surgeons during cochlear implant procedures by helping identify the position and angle of electrode contacts placed inside the cochlea. The primary objective is to confirm that OTOGUIDE can accurately detect which electrodes are inserted into the cochlea, with results that are more than 80% consistent with standard CT imaging (either during or after surgery). The secondary objective is to verify that OTOGUIDE can estimate the insertion angle of a specific electrode (C1) with a margin of error smaller than 60 degrees compared to CT imaging.
Participants who agree to take part and sign the informed consent form will undergo up to three study visit, which coincides with their scheduled routine cochlear implant surgery visits. During the Surgery Visit intraoperative measurements will be performed using both OTOGUIDE and the MAESTRO system. CT imaging (either during or after surgery, depending on routine clinical practice) will be used to verify the electrode array's position inside the cochlea.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Diagnosis
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
- Model description
- This study has been planned as multi-center, prospective, one arm, within-subject control post-market study.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring electrode insertion with OTOGUIDE | Other | Device: OTOGUIDE softwareMonitoring electrode insertion with OTOGUIDE during routine cochlear implantation |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Minimum age of eighteen (18) years at time of enrolment.
- Subjects to be implanted with a compatible MED-EL cochlear implant (CI) (Mi1200 SYNCHRONY (PIN), Mi1210 SYNCHRONY ST, Mi1250 SYNCHRONY 2 (PIN), Mi1260 SONATA 2) according to clinical routine.
- Signed and dated informed consent before the start of any study-specific procedure.
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Previously having received a CI on the ear to be tested (Re-implantation).
- Evidence of ossification or any other cochlear anomaly (e.g., malformation) that might prevent complete insertion of the electrode array or might cause increased risk of infection (e.g. dysplastic cochlear), as confirmed by medical examination and/or as per CT/MRI.
- Known absence of cochlear development or if the cause of deafness is non-functionality of the auditory nerve and/or the upper auditory pathway.
- Evidence of active external or middle ear infection or history of recurrent middle ear infection in the ear to be implanted.
- Acute cholesteatoma
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| OTOGUIDE softwareOTOGUIDE performs objective measurements to enable the monitoring of the electrode insertion and the functioning of the electrode. OTOGUIDE guides the users through a workflow-based session to assess the implant status and to define a surgical approach. The users can plan an insertion target and monitor the real-time electrode insertion using an impedance-based method to automatically detect the number of contacts inside the cochlea. | Device | Monitoring electrode insertion with OTOGUIDE |
Primary outcome
Number of inserted electrodes
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
The primary endpoint is the agreement rate between OTOGUIDE and intra- or post-operative CT imaging in detecting which contacts in an electrode array are inserted and which are not inserted in the cochlea.
1 secondary outcome
Insertion angle of C1 electrode contact
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 22 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Cochlear Implantation
RecruitingObservational study
Retrospective Analysis of Speech Performance Using the HiRes Ultra and HiRes Ultra 3D Cochlear Implant
Cochlear Hearing Loss
RecruitingObservational study
Retrospectively Investigating Longitudinal Outcomes in MED-EL SONATA 2 Cochlear Implant Recipients.
Cochlear Implantation, Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Recruiting
Cochlear Implants and Listening Effort: the Interaction of Cognitive and Sensory Constraints
Cochlear Implant Users
Recruiting
Investigating Auditory Processing in the Users of Auditory Brainstem and Cochlear Implants
Deafness
Not yet recruitingObservational study
Mi2000 TICI Follow-up
Hearing Loss, Binaural, Cochlear Implantation
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
2 sites in 2 countries: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing OTOGUIDE software in people with Cochlear Implantation and Monitoring Electrode Insertion, run by MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geräte GmbH at 2 sites in 2 countries.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in Austria, Germany. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Jasmine Rinnofner (+43577881694, jasmine.rinnofner@medel.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Number of inserted electrodes (time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 Sep 2026.