Long-Term Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Patients With High-Frequency Hearing Loss

The Nucleus 8 Sound Processor is the world’s first cochlear implant sound processor ready for Bluetooth LE Audio technology

Lone Tree, Colo. (November 1, 2022) — Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH), the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, receives U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the Cochlear^TM Nucleus® 8 Sound Processor. The Nucleus 8 Sound Processor is now the smallest and lightest behind-the-ear cochlear implant sound processor available in the industry. ^1-3 It is also the world’s first cochlear implant sound processor ready to provide direct audio connectivity to everyday consumer electronics using the next generation LE Audio technology from Bluetooth®.^1-3,#

The Nucleus 8 Sound Processor features Cochlear’s latest and most innovative hearing technology that can sense changes in a person’s environment and automatically adjust their listening settings.^4-7* It also includes an enhanced ForwardFocus⁺ feature, which effectively reduces distracting background noise to make face-to-face conversations clearer, especially in noisy environments.^{8,^} Cochlear continues its commitment to reduce the size of each processor generation with the new behind-the-ear sound processor being 15 percent smaller and 13 percent lighter than its predecessor.^{9, ±} 

For more on the Nucleus 8 Sound Processor, visit www.Cochlear.US/Nucleus8.

“Cochlear’s goal is to help people feel empowered to connect with their world and make it easier to hear and be heard,” said Lisa Aubert, President, Cochlear Americas. “In a restaurant, at work, at school, or spending time with family and friends – life’s full of opportunities to engage with others. The Nucleus 8 Sound Processor is our smallest, lightest and smartest behind-the-ear sound processor yet and is designed to help people hear conversations more clearly and comfortably, wherever life may take them.”

Smaller, smarter and better connected

The Nucleus 8 Sound Processor builds on the direct streaming capabilities available in Cochlear’s latest sound processors. With access to next-generation Bluetooth LE Audio, it will be easier than ever to directly connect to everyday technology in more places and from more devices than ever before.^10-12,# People will be able to conveniently connect directly to broadcasts at public venues such as airports, conference centers, sport stadiums and gyms that support Bluetooth’s next generation Auracast™.

“Cochlear continues to lead in innovation that matters most, delivering smaller and smarter sound processors to improve hearing performance that’s comfortable and easy to use,” said Ryan Lopez, Director, Nucleus Product Management & Marketing, Cochlear Americas. “The Bluetooth LE Audio connectivity in the Nucleus 8 Sound Processor will provide those with hearing loss new, more convenient ways to stream audio to their sound processor, including making it easier for children and adults to engage in the world around them. From the classroom to the conference room, we want to help reduce the stress of life’s interactions with the Nucleus 8 Sound Processor.”

In addition to the Nucleus 8 Sound Processor, Cochlear is expanding its Connected Care solutions for Nucleus Implant System recipients. Building upon the ability to let cochlear implant recipients adjust their own processor settings and access Remote Care^** options from their mobile phone, enhancements to the Nucleus Smart App will enable future improvements to the bimodal control experience and provide access to Remote Firmware updates, so patients can conveniently access the latest technology without a trip to the clinic.   

For those living with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss, cochlear implants are a proven medical treatment option. Cochlear implants are the most appropriate option to treat hearing loss when it has reached the level of severe to profound. However, conservative estimates suggest that only 1 in 20 adults worldwide who could benefit from a cochlear implant has one.^13,14 Better hearing can help people reach their full potential.

The Nucleus 8 Sound Processor will be commercially available across the United States and Canada by the end of 2022. The Nucleus 8 Sound Processor has been approved by Health Canada.

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 provided more than 700,000 devices in more than 180 countries, helping people of all ages around the world 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 4,500 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$2 billion to date in research and development to push the boundaries of technology and help more people hear.

www.cochlear.com/us

References

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