Colorado’s First Robotic- Assisted Cochlear Implant Surgery

Photo Courtesy of HCA HealthONE Swedish

For many Coloradans, hearing loss affects daily communication, connection, and confidence. As Americans live longer thanks to advances in healthcare, more people are aging into hearing challenges, increasing the importance of addressing hearing loss as part of overall health and wellness.

While hearing aids remain an important solution for many individuals, they are not always enough. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to changes in brain health, making early evaluation and appropriate treatment an important step in staying engaged, connected, and mentally active over time.

A cochlear implant is a small, surgically implanted device that works differently from a hearing aid. Instead of amplifying sound, it bypasses the damaged parts of the inner ear and sends sound information directly to the hearing nerve.

Photo Courtesy of Dr. Kelsall

When paired with aural rehabilitation, cochlear implants can help people access clearer sound and participate more fully in conversations and daily life. Yet many eligible individuals never pursue them, often because they’re unaware the option exists or uncertain about the surgical process.

Swedish and Rocky Mountain Ear Center (RMEC) are helping change that conversation. Swedish, in tandem in RMEC, is the first hospital in Colorado to offer robot-assisted cochlear implant surgery, bringing advanced technology to one of the most delicate parts of the ear. The iotaSOFT® Insertion System gives surgeons the ability to deliver a slow, steady, and highly controlled electrode insertion. This level of precision is particularly important for supporting an atraumatic approach and helping preserve the delicate structures within the cochlea.

The program is led by Dr. David Kelsall, an otolaryngologist with more than 35 years of experience in cochlear implantation. He and his long-standing team have completed over 3,000 cochlear implant procedures and continue to participate in various research efforts aimed at advancing the field. “Robotic assistance allows for a slower, more delicate insertion than is possible by hand,” Dr. Kelsall explains. “That precision matters when we’re working in such a sensitive area.”

The procedure is typically completed in under an hour on an outpatient basis. From the first consultation to follow-up, patients are supported by a unified team of surgeons, audiologists,
and hearing specialists who work together to deliver coordinated, compassionate care.

Photo Courtesy of iotaSOFT image: iotaMotion, Inc.

Cochlear implants can help many people communicate more easily, reconnect with loved ones, and participate more comfortably in everyday life. Through its partnership with RMEC, Swedish ensures that this care is coordinated and accessible close to home.

If you or a loved one is navigating significant hearing loss, talk with your audiologist about whether cochlear implants and robotic assistance may be an option.

Visit https://iotamotion.online/CO to learn more about the iotaSOFT Insertion System.

Ready to take the next step? Book an appointment with the Rocky Mountain Ear Center team to explore whether cochlear implants may be right for you.

Call (303) 783-9220 or scan here:

Rocky Mountain Ear Center offers comprehensive, innovative diagnostic and treatment solutions to address a variety of hearing and balance challenges.

The iotaSOFT® Insertion System is intended to aid the surgeon in placement of cochlear implant electrode arrays into a radiographically normal cochlea by controlling the speed of implant insertion. The iotaSOFT Insertion System is intended for use in cochlear implant patients ages 12 years and older during cochlear implant procedures using either a round window or cochleostomy approach.