Services & Support
by Cochlear Guest Author

Cochlear announces FDA approval and FDA clearance of first-of-its-kind Remote Care capabilities for Nucleus and Baha Systems

October 12, 2021
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  • Remote Assist allows remote programming, processor setting adjustments and counselling via a live video session
  • Upcoming availability for Cochlear Nucleus 7, Kanso 2 and Baha 6 Max Sound Processors
  • Part of Cochlear’s investment in Connected Care technology, enabling consistent, personalized care across care settings to optimize patient outcomes

Lone Tree, Colo. (October 12, 2021) — Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH), the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, obtained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and clearance in the last month for its Cochlear™ Remote Assist solution in the Nucleus® and Baha® Systems. The FDA approval for the cochlear implant solution and FDA clearance for the Baha solution are the first step in commercializing the product offering, anticipated spring 2022, and complement Cochlear’s existing Remote Care offerings.

Quality care, anywhere

Remote Assist delivers the ability for clinicians to engage with their patients through a live video, audio or chat session in the fitting software and connect to the sound processor via the patient’s Nucleus or Baha Smart App.* Once connected to the patient, the hearing health provider can make programming adjustments, enable processor settings and provide counselling via a live video session. Any changes are saved remotely to the patient’s sound processor.

Cochlear’s Remote Care solutions offer hearing implant patients the convenience of quality hearing care without the need to visit a clinic. With new flexibility to manage patient progress remotely, hearing health providers have time to offer care to more patients, including those who may be limited by location, health, mobility or work commitments.

For cochlear implant patients with Nucleus 7 and Kanso® 2 Sound Processors, Remote Care consists of two options:

  • Remote Check, FDA approved in April 2020, which allows patients to complete a convenient, at-home hearing review without visiting the clinic.** Results are then sent remotely to their clinician for review. Clinicians can analyze information gathered during the Remote Check to determine if and how further follow up is needed at that time.
  • Remote Assist, which is available to clinicians in Custom Sound® Pro and connects to the patient’s sound processor via the Nucleus Smart App to make live global changes to the patient’s programs via Master Volume, Bass & Treble (MVBT) adjustments and enable other processor features.

For bone conduction patients with Baha 6 Max Sound Processors, Remote Assist is available to clinicians in Baha Fitting Software 6 with connection to the sound processor via the Baha Smart App. Remote Assist for Baha 6 Max allows clinicians to fully program and adjust the sound processor for the patient, including performing BC Direct (in situ audiometry) and Feedback Analyzer functions.

“Through Cochlear’s Remote Check and Remote Assist, our innovative and secure Remote Care solutions further enhance clinical practice by bringing more options for monitoring patient performance and optimizing hearing outcomes remotely – ultimately providing care when and where it’s needed,” said Tony Manna, President, Cochlear Americas. “Our Remote Care solutions have been carefully designed and tested to meet rigorous quality and security standards, giving our hearing implant recipients and their hearing care professionals the confidence to receive and deliver quality care outside of a medical office.”

Inspired by connecting people with care

The Remote Care offerings are part of Cochlear’s Connected Care portfolio, transforming how people connect with hearing care across different care settings – from the surgical suite to the clinic, and into a patient’s everyday life. Connected Care offers new tools that give hearing care professionals the flexibility to customize patient care, increase clinic efficiency and maximize their time delivering quality patient care. For patients, Connected Care provides convenient ways to access quality hearing care when and where they need it throughout their hearing journey.

“We understand that the expectations and preferences of those using a Cochlear hearing implant change over time. That’s why we use our innovative technology to develop new digital tools that support an evolving care model to meet changing needs,” said Mia Visconti, Director, Connected Care Innovation Product & Services, Cochlear Americas. “With Cochlear’s Remote Care solutions, we can securely provide quality hearing care without requiring a recipient to visit a clinic by leveraging the advanced connectivity features of our Nucleus and Baha Sound Processors and our leading app technology.”

Cochlear will immediately begin a controlled market release of Remote Assist in the U.S. by partnering with hearing healthcare providers and hospitals to provide professionals with more options for monitoring patient performance and optimizing hearing outcomes – providing patient care when and where it’s needed.

Cochlear anticipates Remote Assist approval in Canada to be obtained in late 2021 for the Nucleus System and early 2022 for the Baha System.

For further details about Cochlear’s Connected Care portfolio, visit www.cochlear.us/ConnectedCare.

About Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH)

Cochlear is the global leader in implantable hearing solutions. The company has a global workforce of more than 4,000 people and invests more than AUD$190 million each year in research and development. Products include cochlear implants, bone conduction implants and acoustic implants, which healthcare professionals use to treat a range of moderate to profound types of hearing loss.

Since 1981, Cochlear has provided more than 650,000 implantable devices, helping people of all ages, in more than 180 countries, to hear.

www.cochlear.com/US

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* For compatibility information, visit www.Cochlear.com/compatibility.

** Remote Check is intended for ages 6 and older. The Remote Check feature is only visible and accessible if the feature is enabled by a clinician. Clinicians should consider the suitability of the feature before enabling Remote Check. Remote Check does not replace clinical care and does not involve remote programming of the sound processor. Remote Check is not compatible with Baha 6 Max Sound Processors.

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.

© Cochlear Limited 2021. All rights reserved.

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Cochlear Guest Author

In an effort to keep our content fresh and reflective of a diverse industry, Cochlear Americas features a mix of employees and professional partners to contribute to Cochlear ProNews as Guest Authors.

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Top 4 Self-Service Resources for your Patients

August 12, 2024

Did you know? There are several ways that your patients can get the help they need for common questions without having to wait.

Check out the top 4 most frequently utilized self-service support options and click on the heading to access the resource.

Device Basics: Access how-to videos covering tasks like pairing sound processors with phones or wireless devices. Your patients can also find user guides and manuals here.

Device Support: Explore troubleshooting articles related to common issues such as sound quality or battery life. If their device needs repair, they can use our chat bot to contact Cochlear support.

Recipient Account: Having an account allows patients to check on an order status, view all registered equipment and manage contact information.

Online Store: Place orders for rechargeable batteries, battery chargers, accessories, care products, or even a new sound processor.

Download the brochure below and share with your patients to enhance their Cochlear experience!

FUN5194 ISS1 JAN24 Device Support Resources 4Download
cochlear store

Your patients are now able to order parts & accessories online

August 19, 2019

professional services

TypingLife gets simplified with the online Cochlear Store. Through this easy-to-use online portal, your patients will find the accompanying parts and accessories they need to get the most out of their sound processor. Depending on their specific health plan, patients may even have the option to utilize direct insurance billing for medically necessary parts and accessories.

Patients can easily shop for products they need to enhance their hearing experience – whether it’s a new rechargeable battery, replacement microphone covers or Cochlear True Wireless™ accessories. With personalized shopping based on their personal device and insurance resources, the Cochlear online store is the most convenient way for patients to customize their hearing experience with the latest accessories.

Beyond the convenience of online shopping, patients are also eligible for free shipping on orders over $50*. The online store denotes parts and accessories that are commonly covered by insurance using this iconicon, and when ordering these items, Cochlear’s Reimbursement & Insurance Services may be utilized to bill their applicable private insurance plans, Medicare and many state Medicaid plans.**

Other features of the online Cochlear Store include:

  1. Quick and simple navigation to and from your patient’s Cochlear Family account
  2. A refined product catalog with easier navigation features
  3. A customized shopping experience for your patient based on their device
  4. Access to exclusive promotions

The Cochlear Store is available to all Cochlear Family members. Registration for Cochlear Family is free, fast and incredibly simple – patients can start by visiting Cochlear Family.

 

*Select one of the following shipping methods during checkout:

(1) 5 – 7 business days (Ground) FREE

(2) 3 – 5 business days (Ground) FREE

Free shipping is valid on orders over $50 and shipped to single U.S address after promotions and discounts are applied.

Taxes do not qualify toward the minimum purchase requirement.

Offer and delivery times are subject to change without notice and exclude purchases from Cochlear Americas.

**As of Feb 1, 2018, Cochlear provides direct insurance billing support for many major private insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid† (including HMOs) and Tricare for repairs, parts and accessories. Cochlear’s full-service billing support is available for recipients who are covered under one of the plans with whom Cochlear is contracted. If a recipient would like to place an order for a replacement part or accessory, please keep in mind orders may take up to 2 weeks to process and ship, so please plan ahead.

†Cochlear is currently enrolled with Medicaid programs in the following states: AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, MT, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, and WY.

Information for patients:

Please keep in mind that if you choose to self-pay for an item generally covered by insurance, you may not be able to submit a claim on your own if Cochlear is contracted with your private insurance provider. Visit www.Cochlear.com/US/InsuranceList to see if Cochlear is contracted with your insurance provider. If Cochlear is contracted with your insurance provider, we suggest placing your order through Cochlear’s Reimbursement and Insurance Services. If you seek reimbursement on your own you will be solely responsible for any amounts to include contractual or discounted payments that your insurance provider does not cover.

Information provided by Cochlear Americas regarding insurance coverage or reimbursement is provided as guidance only and is not intended as reimbursement or legal advice. Cochlear Americas makes no representation or warranty regarding such information or its completeness, accuracy, fitness for a particular purpose, or that following such guidance will result in any form of coverage or reimbursement from any insurer. Information presented is subject to change at any time. To be sure that you have the most current and applicable information available for your unique circumstances, please consult your own experts and seek your own legal advice regarding your reimbursement needs. In all cases, products or services billed must be medically necessary, actually performed and appropriately documented in the medical record. You will be responsible for paying any applicable coinsurance, deductible, or amounts not covered by your insurance to Cochlear. Coverage determinations and out-of-pocket costs may vary for individuals with private insurance.

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©Cochlear Limited 2024. All rights reserved. ACE, Advance Off-Stylet, AOS, Ardium, AutoNRT, Autosensitivity, Baha, Baha SoftWear, BCDrive, Beam, Bring Back the Beat, Button, Carina, Cochlear, 科利耳, コクレア, 코클리어, Cochlear SoftWear, Contour, コントゥア, Contour Advance, Custom Sound, DermaLock, Freedom, Hear now. And always, Hugfit, Human Design, Hybrid, Invisible Hearing, Kanso, LowPro, MET, MP3000, myCochlear, mySmartSound, NRT, Nucleus, Osia, Outcome Focused Fitting, Off-Stylet, Piezo Power, Profile, Slimline, SmartSound, Softip, SoundArc, True Wireless, the elliptical logo, Vistafix, Whisper, WindShield and Xidium are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the Cochlear group of companies. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

 

This material is intended for health professionals. If you are a consumer, 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.

 

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