Usability of the Intracochlear Catheter INCAT - a Feasibility Study

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults, 18 years of age or older at the time of implantation * Moderate to profound hearing loss in the low frequencies and severe to profound hearing * Loss in the high frequencies, bilaterally as defined by (see Figure 4A and B below for example audiogram information) * Low-frequency pure tone average (PTA - 250, 500, and 1000 Hz) greater than 40 dB * High-frequencies not better than 65 decibels (3000 Hz - 8000 Hz) * Sensorineural hearing loss, demonstrated by an air-bone gap of less than or equal to 10 dB * Limited benefit from appropriately fit hearing aids, defined by consonant-nucleus-consonant (CNC) word score in quiet of 60% or less in the ear to be implanted and 70% or less in the non-implanted ear * CNC word score in quiet of greater than or equal to 10% in the ear to be implanted * Fluent in English * No radiological contraindications * Ability to undergo general anesthesia * Appropriate motivation and expectation levels * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures for the duration of the study * Able to perform subjective hearing tests * Able to fill out questionnaires Exclusion Criteria: * Age less than 18 years * Not willing to provide informed consent * Unable to perform subjective hearing tests * Unable to fill out questionnaires * Previous unsensitivity to the investigated drug * Unable to follow the protocol for any reasons * Evidence that hearing loss is retrocochlear in origin * Active middle ear infection * Skin or scalp condition precluding use of external audio processor * Suspected cognitive impairment or organic brain dysfunction * History of prior use of a hearing implant