This study will evaluate hearing outcomes after cochlear implantation with placement of the ECE1 ground electrode near the post-auricular vagus nerve (Arnold's nerve) to assess non-inferiority with respect to placement under the temporalis muscle.

Inclusion Criteria:

• will be undergoing surgery for a cochlear implant from Cochlear Americas
• is willing to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• has history of prior ear surgery, congenital ear malformation, or prior cochlear implantation in the ear to be implanted
• pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding patients cannot undergo the standard-of-care implantation procedures required for participation in the study.

The de-identified participant data from the final research dataset will be shared upon reasonable request beginning 9 to 36 months after publication or as required by a condition of awards or supporting agreements, provided the requesting investigator executes a data use agreement with NYU Langone Health. This instance of data sharing will also require separate IRB review as well as review from NYU Langone's Data Sharing Strategy Board (DSSB). Requests should be directed to: mario.svirsky@nyulangone.org. The protocol and statistical analysis plan will be posted on Clinicaltrials.gov only as required by federal regulation or supporting awards and agreements.

Beginning 9 months and ending 36 months following article publication or as required by a condition of awards and agreements supporting the research.

The investigator who proposed to use the data will be granted access upon reasonable request. Requests should be directed to mario.svirsky@nyulangone.org. To gain access, data requestors will need to sign a data access agreement. This instance of data sharing will also require separate IRB review as well as review from NYU Langone's DSSB.