Education & Events
by Lisa Aubert

Message from the President | First Quarter: Conference showcase and Connected Care spotlight

November 8, 2024
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With the end of the first quarter of the fiscal year, it’s a good time to reflect on our accomplishments over the last few months.  Our commitment to innovation, patient care, and community engagement continues to drive us forward.

Presence at Key Conferences

Cochlear North America had the privilege of participating in two significant conferences this quarter, the American Cochlear Implant Alliance (ACI Alliance) Conference, which took place in in Vancouver, Canada and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Annual Meeting in Miami, Florida.

Our presence at the ACI Alliance Conference in Vancouver was marked by insightful discussions and presentations on the latest research and industry innovations as well as the recording of our new professional podcast, Beyond the Decibels. This podcast offers the community a new way to hear from physicians, audiologists and specialists, who provide insights and ideas that progress hearing health.  There are currently five episodes out with more in the works. The episodes are thoughtful and bring a lot of great ideas and topics to light. You can subscribe to our podcast here.

At the AAO-HNS Annual Meeting, we showcased our latest advancements in cochlear implant technology and engaged with leading experts in the field. The conference provided an invaluable platform to discuss the future of otolaryngology and the role cochlear implants play in improving patient outcomes.

Celebrating Telehealth Awareness Week with Connected Care

In September, we celebrated Telehealth Awareness Week, highlighting the incredible work of our Connected and Remote Care team. Our Remote Care solutions*, including Remote Check and Remote Assist, have revolutionized the way we deliver care to our patients.

In just a few short years, Cochlear™ Remote Care for Nucleus® and Baha® Systems have revolutionized treatment for hearing implant patients. With over 15,000 patients now enrolled in Remote Care across the globe, clinicians are increasingly focused on how to best utilize Remote Care in their own clinical settings and how to maximize patient benefit with these new tools. It’s a testament to both our team and clinicians working together to make the lives of recipients easier.

Inspiring Stories from Our Community

Our cochlear implant recipients continue to inspire us with their stories of regaining their hearing. Recently, two heartwarming stories captured the media’s attention:

First, we have the story of Marcia and Mike, two Minnesota musicians who found love through their shared experience with cochlear implants.

Another inspiring story is of Evianna, a 5-year-old girl from Carpinteria who reclaimed her hearing with an Osia® System. Her story reminds us of the importance of the FDA approval for lowered indications for our Osia System, which is now lowered to five years of age**.

Looking Ahead

We always remain dedicated to our mission of helping people hear and be heard. Our participation in these conferences and our ongoing telehealth initiatives are just a few examples of how we continue to work toward this goal. We are excited about the future and the opportunities ahead to further enhance the lives of our recipients and want to extend our gratitude to the countless professionals who help make this happen every day.

Sincerely,

Lisa Aubert
President, Cochlear North America

*Remote Check and Remote Assist for Nucleus sound processors are intended for ages 6 and older. Remote Check and Remote Assist features are only visible and accessible if they are enabled by a clinician. Clinicians should consider the suitability of the feature before enabling Remote Check and Remote Assist. Remote Check does not replace clinical care and does not involve remote programming of the sound processor. Only available at clinics that have enrolled in Remote Care.

Remote Assist for Baha for compatible Baha sound processors is intended for a follow-up adjustment or setup of a replacement or upgrade sound processor for suitable qualified patients based on clinical judgment.  Only available at clinics that have enrolled in Remote Care.

** In the United States and Canada, the Osia System is indicated for ages 5 and older.

Related Posts
audiology awareness month logo

Proud to be your partner: Audiology Awareness Month

October 1, 2019

October is National Audiology Awareness Month (AAM) and we’re proud to be your partner in this life-changing profession. You play a vital role in hearing health and it matters.

In response to the growing number of Americans suffering from hearing loss, the American Academy of Audiology launched National Audiology Awareness Month in hopes to bring awareness to the early signs of hearing loss.

Did you know?

  • Around 466 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss, and 34 million of these are children.¹
  • It is estimated that by 2050 over 900 million people will have disabling hearing loss.¹
  • 60% of childhood hearing loss is due to preventable causes.¹

With over 100 audiologists employed at Cochlear, we’re committed to help you enhance your practice and ultimately, patient outcomes. Together, let’s cultivate a culture of proactivity regarding hearing loss.

You can share this graphic with your patients about the profession and encourage them to share their stories with friends and family:

We want to thank you for your work to help patients Hear now. And always

Follow us on LinkedIn and when you see AAM posts throughout the month, share them to your page and help spread awareness about hearing loss, treatment options and the field of audiology.

References:

  1. W. H. O. (2019, March 12). Deafness and hearing loss. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss
AAM

Normal hearing is 20/20: Audiology Awareness Month

October 7, 2020

New public health campaign seeks to establish a simple health metric to define normal hearing to better monitor hearing loss, refer for treatment

LONE TREE, Colo., Oct. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH), the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, launches the Hearing 20/20 campaign, a new public health initiative to adopt 20/20 as a common metric for normal hearing, during October’s Audiology Awareness Month. Supported by 10 hearing health nonprofit and industry partners, establishing a simple, common metric, defined as 20 decibels in each ear, can help simplify the ongoing conversation and actions related to monitoring hearing health and treating hearing loss, especially among adults 55 years of age and older.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hearing loss is the third most common chronic physical condition impacting adults in the United States, and hearing loss is more prevalent than diabetes or cancer.1 However, hearing is not a mandatory part of an individual’s annual physical screening and generally is deprioritized amongst consumers and primary care providers2, even though studies continue to prove untreated hearing loss has a sizable negative impact on an individual’s overall health3.

Research conducted by Cochlear found 93 percent of consumers know what normal vision is, but only 9 percent can define normal hearing.2 Seventy-seven percent of consumers turn to their primary care providers for hearing loss information, but 75 percent of consumers do not complete annual hearing exams.2 Additionally, 47 percent of consumers prioritize their pet’s annual exam over getting their hearing checked annually.2

“Hearing health should be prioritized as a significant part of a person’s overall health, especially as we age,” said Joanna T. Smith, MS CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert., AVT, Founder, CEO and Executive Director, Hearts for Hearing. “Like vision, normal hearing is 20/20. Everyone should get to know their hearing number by requesting a hearing test at their next doctor’s visit and should continue checking their hearing health annually thereafter. We all know hearing loss can negatively impact a person’s quality of life; however, hearing loss is treatable and not something we just have to live with.”

For healthcare providers treating patients during an annual physical, a simple way to screen for hearing loss is wash your hands during the appointment. With the water running and back to the patient, ask a few questions. If they do not respond or the answers do not match what was asked, it is appropriate to start a conversation about hearing loss and discuss referring for a hearing test.4 For consumers and their loved ones, they should request a hearing test at their next annual physical so they can learn their hearing number.

Proper audiometric testing is needed to determine a person’s hearing number. The testing, typically done by an audiologist, can provide a summary of a person’s hearing status via an audiogram. During the testing, hearing thresholds are measured in decibels (dB) for each ear using pure tones across a range of frequencies (Hz). Pure-tone average (PTA) refers to the average of hearing thresholds at a set of specified frequencies and can indicate a hearing level for each ear. As such, a hearing level from 0 to 20 dB PTA in each ear is considered normal. Numbers exceeding 20 dB could benefit from amplification, such as hearing aids, while levels above 60 dB suggest a referral for a cochlear implant evaluation.5 Cochlear is proposing hearing health professionals use the PTA as a simple, easy to remember metric for consumers to track their hearing levels.

“We understand a PTA measurement is a very simplified metric amongst a complex battery of testing that hearing health professionals perform. However, if we want to help more people hear, we need to communicate simple metrics and help consumers and referring professionals adopt them much like other health metrics. Then we can help those who need treatment, like hearing aids or cochlear implants that are widely underutilized, hear better sooner and help increase quality of life earlier as well,” said Patricia Trautwein, AuD, Vice President, Product Management & Marketing, Cochlear Americas.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one in every three people 65 years of age and one in every two 75 years of age and over has hearing loss.6 The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there are 72 million people who could potentially benefit from the use of a hearing device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant.7 However, on average, people with hearing loss wait six years to get their hearing loss treated.8 By 2030, all Baby Boomers will be 65 years and older and this generation will live longer than any generation in history.9 Prioritizing hearing health is necessary now to help aging adults live active, healthy and independent lives as long as possible.

This is the first phase of a multi-year initiative to educate the public about the importance of hearing health. To learn your hearing number, find a local audiologist near you from the directories linked on the Hearing2020.com website. Industry and nonprofit partners supporting the campaign include American Academy of Audiology, Academy of Doctors of Audiology, Hearing Loss Association of America, A.G. Bell, Hearing Health Foundation, Hearing First, Hearing Industries Association, American Cochlear Implant Alliance, Songs for Sound and Ear Community.

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$180 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 600,000 implantable devices, helping people of all ages, in more than 180 countries, to hear. www.cochlear.com/us

References

  1. Blackwell DL, Lucas JW, Clarke TC. Summary health statistics for US adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2012. Vital health statistics, series 10, no. 260. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Health Statistics, CDC; 2014. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_10/sr10_260.pdf
  2. May 29, 2019 Cochlear 20/20 hearing study. Survey of 1,250 conducted by Penn, Schoen, Berland, March 13, 2019. Data on file.
  3. Brody, J. E. (2018, December 31). Hearing Loss Threatens Mind, Life and Limb. Available from: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/31/well/live/hearing-loss-threatens-mind-life-and-limb.html.
  4. Strait, J.E. (2020, August 27). Cochlear implants should be recommended for adults more often. Available from: https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/cochlear-implants-should-be-recommended-much-more-often-for-adults-with-hearing-loss/#:~:text=An%20international%20group%20of%20hearing,than%20is%20the%20current%20practice.
  5. Zwolan TA, Schvartz-Leyzac KC, Pleasant T. Development of a 60/60 guideline for referring adults for a traditional Cochlear implant candidacy evaluation. Otol Neurotol 2020;41:895-900.
  6. Hearing Loss and Older Adults [Internet]. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; c2018 [cited 11 Sept 2020]. Available from: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing-loss-older-adults.
  7. Deafness and hearing loss fact sheet [Internet]. World Health Organization; c2020 [cited 11 Sept 2020]. Available from: https://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs300/en/.
  8. Hearing Industries Association. MT10 MarkeTrak 10 Base Report. Washington, DC: Marketing Research, Inc; March 27, 2019.
  9. America Counts Staff (2019, December 10). 2020 Census Will Help Policymakers Prepare for the Incoming Wave of Aging Boomers. Available from: https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2019/12/by-2030-all-baby-boomers-will-be-age-65-or-older.html.

SOURCE Cochlear Limited

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 2020. All rights reserved.

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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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