Cochlear Implants
by Cochlear Guest Author

The benefits of upgrading to new technology

November 5, 2020
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By Allison Biever, AuD, Rocky Mountain Ear Center

Why upgrade to newer technology? Dr. Biever shares her experience working with cochlear implant recipients to maximize hearing outcomes.

Next to the joy of sharing a recipient’s first moments of hearing with their cochlear implant is the wonder of watching a recipient experience upgraded technology as they frequently exhibit emotions of gratitude, disbelief, giddiness and utter delight.

Upgraded technology helps provide recipients with better hearing and new freedoms. When recipients get upgraded to technology that allows them to stream music and phone calls wirelessly, I often hear, “You mean you can’t hear what I am hearing?”  Bilateral recipients have often had to use speaker phone on their cell phones to enjoy a call or listen to music with both ears. The expectation is that everyone is privy to their phone calls and hearing their music.

Moreover, patients tend to report that sound quality is also better when streaming phone calls, and it’s easier to understand the caller and look more relaxed talking to the caller. One of my adult recipients reported that after getting upgraded to new processors, he decided to create his first playlist because for the first time in his life – music sounded so good!

Upgraded technology can demonstrate additional benefits with regard to wearability. For example, some of my recipients are excited to now make it through the day on a single battery charge. Patients have also reported benefits due to the improved size and weight of the processor. Previously, playing sports, dancing or even doing yoga could be difficult because the size and weight of the processors prevented the processor from sitting securely on their ear. 

One unexpected benefit of upgraded technology is that recipients may now make important processor adjustments which can improve their hearing ability or comfort with sound. Historically, if recipients needed significantly more volume or less treble for example, they needed to come back to the implant program so adjustments could be made.  With current upgraded technology and use of the Nucleus® Smart App, patients can have increased volume capabilities.

From an audiologist’s perspective, it has been amazing to see the improvements in technology that have taken place over the past 20 years. The future looks bright and undoubtedly, sounds better than ever!

To learn more about upgraded technology, visit our website!

This article expresses the experience and opinions of Allison Biever.

The Cochlear Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Apple, the Apple logo, FaceTime, Made for iPad logo, Made for iPhone logo, Made for iPod logo, iPhone, iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Cochlear Nucleus Smart App is available on App Store and Google Play. For complete smartphone compatibility information, please visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility.

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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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TECH Talk: Dr. Bill Shapiro discusses why two ears are better than one

September 27, 2018

TECH Talks

Dr. Bill Shapiro, Supervising Audiologist at the New York University Cochlear Implant Center, discusses the importance of treating both ears when looking at cochlear implants and/or hearing aids. When both ears are working, it can improve the ability to localize sound in space and provide better hearing in noisy environments.1 He explains that professionals need to look at each ear individually when treating hearing loss in order to decide what the best type of treatment option is, whether it is bimodal or bilateral.

Dr. Bill Shapiro goes on to explain when counseling patients with hearing loss, it is vital that his expectations of how well a patient will do must align with the patient’s expectations. He says effective counseling could lead to appropriate expectations and higher patient satisfaction.

In summary, Dr. Bill Shapiro emphasizes that we have two ears and you cannot just implant one ear and ignore the other one. Each ear needs to be evaluated independently for treatment. He says, “Patients deserve to hear in both ears. I hear in both ears. They should hear in both ears.”

For more TECH Talk videos from industry experts, please stay up-to-date with the ProNews blog and visit our TECH Talks page.

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References:
  1. Ching TY, Incerti P, Hill M. Binaural benefits for adults who use hearing aids and cochlear implants in opposite ears. Ear and hearing. 2004 Feb 1;25(1):9-21.
woman with cochlear implant on run with phone

Understanding reliability and why it matters

November 29, 2018

Nucleus System

Guest author: Wade Colburn

Wade Colburn

 

 

Of all the different factors in counseling your patient on a cochlear implant, the reliability of the implant is likely one factor that comes to mind. Once a patient commits to a cochlear implant, it is important to know that a reliable and properly functioning implant is the basis for hearing. Furthermore, a reliable implant can reduce the need for a possible revision in the future. All manufacturers claim to have the most reliable 1,2,3 implants, but this can’t be the case.

Let’s take a closer look at what goes in to reliability reporting.  Reliability is measured as Cumulative Survival Percentage (CSP), which is the probability of survival of a device within a given time period, and Cumulative Failure Percentage (CFP), which is the probability of failure of a device within a given time period.

Reliability reporting is done each and every year and should be reported according to the European and Global Consensus Statement on Cochlear Implant Failures and Explantations1. This consensus detailed how device failures and reliability should be reported and established the seven principles of best practice reporting.

In the latest reports of each cochlear implant manufacturer, the CSP was reported as follows: Cochlear TM Profile Series – 99.82% within 4 years 2, Med-El Synchrony Series – 98.16% within 3 years 3, Advanced Bionics HiRes 90K Advantage – 99.29% within 5 years 4. While this may seem like a small percentage difference, the fact is these numbers result in the following likelihood of failure:

  • Cochlear Profile: 1 in 556 devices fail within 4 years.
  • Advanced Bionic HiRes 90K Advantage: 1 in 141 devices fail within 5 years
  • MED-EL Synchrony: 1 in 55 devices fail within 3 years

This way of looking at reliability is powerful and the reason Cochlear stands behind having the best reliability in the industry establishing itself as the most chosen manufacturer in the world.

Reliability Graph

The difference in CSP seems very small (<1%), but it can translate to a big difference with tremendous impact to patients. To establish this evidence supporting Cochlear as #1 in implant reliability, the following calculations were made:

  • Convert failure rate (CFP) based on Cumulative Survival Percentage (CSP)
  1. Cochlear Profile (4 Years)  99.82% (CSP) = 0.18% failure rate
  2. AB HiRes 90K (5 Years) 99.29% (CSP) = 0.71% Failure Rate
  3. MedEl Synchrony (3 Years)  98.16% (CSP) = 1.84% Failure Rate
  • Based on this failure rate, we establish how many will have failed after 1000 implantations (1000 implants x failure rate):
  1. Cochlear Profile (4 Years) = 1000*.0018 = 1.8 Failures in 1000 Implants
  2. AB HiRes 90K (5 Years)= 1000*.0071 = 7.1 Failures in 1000 Implants
  3. MedEl Synchrony (3 Years) = 1000*.0184 = 18.4 Failures in 1000 Implants
  • Last we establish the number of implants for every failure: 1000/ # of Failures per 1000
  1. Cochlear Profile (4 Years) = 1000/ 1.8 = 1 in 556 within 4 years
  2. AB HiRes 90K= 1000/7.1 = 1 in 141 within 5 years
  3. MedEl Synchrony = 1000/18.4 = 1 in 55 within 3 years

Understanding reliability is essential to making the best decision for your patients. To learn more about reliability reporting at Cochlear and see the full Reliability report.

About our guest author:

Wade is the Product Manager for Cochlear Implant product portfolio within Cochlear Americas.  Wade’s responsibilities include product positioning and messaging, life-cycle management, new product launches and surgical support and training. Wade has recently joined Cochlear, but comes from an engineering background with the medical device field, including previous otology experience.

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References:
  1. European Consensus Statement on Cochlear Implant Failures and Explantations. Otol Neurotol. 26: 1097-1099, 2005.
  2. Cochlear Nucleus Implant Reliability Report. Volume 16 | December 2017. D1335113. Cochlear Ltd; 2018
  3. Hearing Implant Reliability Reporting | MED-EL [Internet]. Medel.com 2018 [cited 15 Oct 2018] Available from: https://www.medel.com/us/reliability-reporting/
  4. 2018 Global Implant Reliability Report. 027-N025-02 Rev B. Advanced Bionics AG and affiliates; 2018.
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