LONE TREE, CO — October 6, 2025 — Cochlear North America is proud to announce its recognition as a gold winner in two categories at the prestigious 2025 Hearing Health & Technology Matters (HHTM) Innovator Awards. The company received top honors in both the Auditory Implants – Cochlear Implants category for the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Nexa® System, and the Auditory Implants – Bone Conduction Implants category for the Baha® 7 Sound Processor and Non-Surgical Sound Processor.
These awards celebrate innovation and excellence in hearing care, and Cochlear’s dual win highlights the dedication to progressing research and development that empowers recipients to connect with the world around them.
The Nucleus® Nexa® System is the world’s first smart cochlear implant1* with upgradeable firmware and internal memory, designed to evolve with future innovations. The Nucleus 8 Nexa Sound Processor with the Power Compact rechargeable battery is the smallest and lightest sound processor with all day battery life on the market.2,3,# With advanced power management and connectivity, the Nexa System delivers a personalized and future-ready hearing experience.
Cochlear also earned accolades for its Baha 7 Sound Processor and Baha SoundBand. The Baha 7 Sound Processor is the first bone conduction sound processor to support Bluetooth® LE Audio and Auracast™**, enabling users to stream audio directly in public venues like airports and theaters. The non-surgical Baha SoundBand offers early sound access for infants and young children not ready for surgery±, supporting critical auditory development.
“We’re honored to receive two Innovator Awards. These honors reflect the passion and purpose that drive our teams to deliver solutions that not only meet today’s needs but also anticipate the future of hearing care. We remain committed to innovating with our customers at the heart of every decision, ensuring their evolving needs continue to shape our work,” said Lisa Aubert, President of Cochlear North America.
The annual awards program, hosted by Hearing Health & Technology Matters (HHTM), recognizes technological innovation and achievement in the hearing industry. Since its launch in 2020, the awards program has contributed more than $35,000 to hearing-related charities, supporting organizations including the Hearing Health Foundation, SoundWrx, Hearing Loss Association of America, Stop The Ring and the Joyful Life Cochlear Implant Fund.
“The Innovator Awards celebrate those turning cutting-edge hearing innovations into meaningful solutions,” stated Dr. Robert Traynor, a member of the 2025 Awards judging panel. “With their dedication to progress, companies like Cochlear are shaping the future of hearing care.”
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About Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH)
People have always been Cochlear’s inspiration, ever since Professor Graeme Clark set out to create the first multi-channel cochlear implant after seeing his father struggle with hearing loss. Since 1981, Cochlear has helped more than 750,000 people of all ages in more than 180 countries to hear. As the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, Cochlear connects people with life’s opportunities, and welcomes them to the world’s largest hearing implant community.
Cochlear has a global workforce of more than 5,500 people, with a passion for progress, who strive to meet the needs of people living with hearing loss. The company continually innovates to anticipate future needs, investing more than AUD$3 billion to date in research and development to push the boundaries of technology and help more people hear.
About the Hearing Technology Innovator Awards
The Hearing Technology Innovator Awards™ is a global awards program created to honor and recognize innovation within the hearing industry. Since its inception, the program has helped raise over $35,000 for hearing-related charities. Learn more at https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearing-technology-innovator-awards/
About HHTM
Hearing Health & Technology Matters (HHTM) provides timely information and lively insights for everyone who cares about hearing health. Our readership and contributors span the full spectrum of the field—including clinicians, researchers, educators, industry leaders, and, importantly, individuals with hearing loss and their families.
By bringing these communities together, HHTM works to bridge gaps in knowledge, foster collaboration, and elevate dialogue across both professional and consumer audiences.
HHTM is also home to This Week in Hearing, a smart, insightful, and engaging weekly podcast that explores the latest trends, technologies, and developments shaping the world of hearing.
- Cochlear Limited. FUN5261. FDA Approval Letter for CI1000 Series Implant System. 2024.
- Cochlear Limited. D1190805. Processor Size Comparison. 2023.
- Cochlear Limited. D2127964. Nucleus 8 Sound Processor Battery Estimations with CI1000 Implant. 2023.
# Battery life varies for every user, according to the age of the battery, the programs used each day, your implant type, the thickness of skin covering your implant, and the size and type of battery used. Streaming from compatible devices, True Wireless devices or FM may decrease sound processor battery life depending on how often and for how long streaming is engaged. Typical expected battery life is calculated using default map settings used with a CI1000 series implant. All day hearing is defined as 16 hours. ^This feature is only compatible with CI1000 Implants.
* The only cochlear implant having onboard memory with upgradeable firmware. As future advancements or technology become available for the CI1000 series implant, a firmware update may be required in order to take advantage of newer features.
** As Bluetooth LE Audio compatible devices become available, a sound processor firmware update will be required to use certain features. Auracast™ broadcast audio capability is subject to third party adoption of the Auracast protocol.
The Bluetooth® and Auracast™ word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Cochlear is under license.”
± In the United States and Canada, the placement of a bone-anchored implant is contraindicated in children below the age of 5.
Please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.
