10/30/2025
Claudia Gonzales, who lost nearly all her hearing, never imagined she’d answer the phone again. In June 2024, she became the first person in California to undergo robot-assisted cochlear implant surgery at Keck Medicine of USC with Dr. Seiji Shibata.
The procedure was life-changing. When her device was first activated, she heard the audiologist ask, “Can you hear me?” - and could respond. Today, she’s back to running her business, enjoying conversations, and connecting with her family in ways she hadn’t experienced for years because of her cochlear implant.
“I feel like I am getting a second chance at life, and I am taking advantage of this as much as I can,” Claudia says.
Claudia’s story is a reminder of why advancing cochlear implant access matters. Less than 5% of eligible patients worldwide receive a cochlear implant today. Together with innovative technology and dedicated clinical partners, we’re working to change that.
Read Claudia's full story here:
After lifelong hearing loss, Claudia Gonzales became the first California patient to receive the robotically assisted procedure.