Cochlear Lifetime Commitment Continues for Recipients of First Commercially Available Cochlear Implant

CENTENNIAL, Colo., Oct. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH), the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, launched the Cochlear™ Nucleus® 6 Sound Processor to recipients of the Nucleus® 22 Cochlear Implant, the earliest Cochlear Family members in the company's history.  The Nucleus 6 Sound Processor is the sixth sound processor generation available to Cochlear Family members who have worn cochlear implants from the early days of the company, in some cases over 30 years.  This new sound processor opens their world of sound with state-of-the-art SmartSound® iQ¹ input sound processing and True Wireless technologies.

The Nucleus 22 Implant was the first commercially available multi-channel cochlear implant in the world when Cochlear released the cutting-edge technology in 1985.  See Cochlear's history of innovation in sound processors.

"As part of our brand promise, 'Hear now. And always,' we are committed to supporting our Cochlear Family members throughout their lifetime with the latest tools and services designed to optimize their hearing experience," said René Courtney, Vice President of Customer Experience and Recipient Services, Cochlear Americas. "We thank each and every Nucleus 22 Implant recipient for pioneering the cochlear implant technology since 1985.  These Cochlear Family members paved the way for better hearing for our over 400,000 Cochlear recipients and counting.  It is an honor and privilege to continue to support our long-running family members for over 30 years."

The Nucleus 6 Sound Processor is the smallest sound processor on the market.*  This sound processor provides users with a more discrete, comfortable listening experience and improved hearing within noisy environments.² Cochlear is the first hearing implant company to provide a truly wireless experience and uses the same 2.4 GHz wireless protocol that Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi devices depend on.  Additionally, SmartSound iQ, a proprietary signal processing platform, automatically adapts to different acoustic environments and is designed to help cochlear implant recipients hear moments that matter most to them.

To learn more or purchase a Nucleus 6 Sound Processor upgrade, visit www.Cochlear.com/US/N22Upgrade.

About Cochlear Implants

Cochlear implants are a proven medical option for infants as young as 12 months old with profound hearing loss in both ears, children aged two and older with severe-to-profound hearing loss, and adults with moderate-to-profound hearing loss in both ears. They are electronic devices that bypass damaged hair cells in the inner ear, or cochlea, and stimulate the hearing nerve directly.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, approximately 58,000 adults and 38,000 children have received cochlear implants in the United States.³ Nearly two million Americans could be candidates for cochlear implant technology, but only 5 percent of patients who can benefit have been treated.^4,5

About Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH)

Cochlear is the global leader in implantable hearing solutions. The company has a global workforce of 2,700 people and invests more than AUS$100 million a year in research and development. Products include hearing systems for cochlear, bone conduction and acoustic implants.

Over 400,000 people of all ages, across more than 100 countries, now hear because of Cochlear.

www.cochlear.com

References

[1] It is recommended that SNR-NR, WNR, and SCAN be made available to any recipient ages 6 years and older, who is able to 1) complete objective speech perception testing in quiet and noise in order to determine and document performance 2) report a preference for different program settings.
[2] Wolfe, J., et al (2015). The Benefits of Adaptive Signal Processing in a Commercially Available Cochlear Implant Sound Processor, Otology & Neurotology. (In press)
[3] National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Cochlear Implants [Internet] 2014 Aug 18 [cited 2015 Apr 13]. Available: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/coch.asp
[4]  Blanchfield, B.B., et. al. (2001). The severely to profoundly hearing-impaired population in the United States: Prevalence estimates and demographics. JAAA. 12, 183-189.
[5] Internal Cochlear Data on File. June, 2009.

"The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Cochlear is under license."

*With compact rechargeable battery option.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130531/LA23942

SOURCE Cochlear Limited

Related Links

http://www.cochlear.com/Us

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