Cochlear, the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, has announced that their newest product, the Nucleus 5 Sound Processor, is now available to the past generation of Freedom implant recipients. In an industry first, Cochlear Americas is offering users of the previous generation implant Freedom the option to upgrade immediately to the latest system, Nucleus 5, without a lag time in accessing the technological advances.
Cochlear launched the Nucleus 5 System featuring the newest, most advanced sound processor with the only two-way remote assistant in September 2009, setting new industry standards in hearing performance and sound processor size. The Nucleus 5 Sound Processor is the only one of its kind on the market today that offers the smallest, most water resistant sound processor with SmartSound™ 2 technology and AutoPhone™ capability. The upgrade program offers patients an opportunity to experience the revolutionary innovation delivered by the Nucleus 5 without the need for additional surgeries.
"The ability for Cochlear recipients currently using the Freedom to immediately upgrade to the Nucleus 5 System represents a significant industry milestone and will dramatically improve the hearing performance for people using Cochlear Americas' implants," said Chris Smith, President of Cochlear Americas. "After nearly three decades as an industry leader in cochlear implant performance and reliability, the Nucleus 5 System upgrade reaffirms our ongoing commitment to providing recipients with the most advanced technology available."
Nucleus Continues to Outperform All Other Cochlear Implant Systems
The previous generation Freedom System set a new industry benchmark with the highest average speech recognition scores ever recorded - higher than reported in studies of other company's systems.
Interim results gathered during a multi center clinical validation study evaluating the Nucleus 5 Sound Processor and Remote Assistant showed even better average hearing performance.- higher than reported for other systems. 12345
Exclusive Dual Microphone Technology with ZOOM™ Power Option Designed to Deliver Better Hearing Performance in Noise
A new signal processing pathway with dual omni microphones has created a new platform for better hearing performance. Dual microphone technology has been proven to improve speech performance in noise. Recent research shows that the Nucleus 5 Sound Processor ZOOM Power Option results in even better performance in noise.5
Freedom Recipients will Experience Many Other Advantages from Upgrading
- The industry's smallest sound processor, 36% smaller than Freedom and up to 43% smaller than other sound processors.*
- A unique two-way remote assistant with full-color display and simple navigation. More than a remote control, the two-way remote assistant confirms that the processor is working and visually reinforces any changes made.
- AutoPhone, the industry's first and only automatic phone detection through auto telecoil for easier phone connection.
For information about the upgrade opportunity, people may call 800-587-6927 email upgrades@ cochlear.com or visit www.CochlearAmericas.com/upgrades.
*With rechargeable sound processor battery option, gurrently unavailable, pending FDA approval
About Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants are a proven medical option for children as young as 12 months old with profound hearing loss in both ears and for individuals who are two years or older with severe-to-profound hearing loss in both ears whom obtain little or no benefit from hearing aids. They are electronic devices, which bypass damaged hair cells in the inner ear, or cochlea, and stimulate the hearing nerve directly. Cochlear implants are designed to restore hearing, giving users the best possible hearing experience possible and are becoming the standard of care with approximately 400 institutions in the United States providing this technology.
About Cochlear
Cochlear is the world leader in implantable hearing solutions. Since launching the first multichannel cochlear implant system more than 27 years ago, Cochlear Limited has brought the miracle of sound to more than 180,000 individuals with hearing loss across the globe. Cochlear Americas markets number one selling products - the Baha® implantable bone-anchored hearing device and Nucleus cochlear implant technology. For more information about Cochlear Americas' products, call the Cochlear Hotline at 800/523-5798 (Voice) or www.cochlearamericas.com or the Cochlear web channel on Audiology Online.
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1 Balkany T et al. Nucleus Freedom North American clinical trial. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2007;(5):757-762
2Pijil S et al. (2006) North American Freedom trial: Preliminary results adults. Cochlear Limited White Paper
3Bassim MK et al. Med-EL Combi40+ cochlear implantation in adults. Laryngoscope 2005;:1568-1573
4Seguin C et al. (2005). Patient performance with the Advanced Bionics HiRes 90K Helix 1 device with HiFocus perimodiolar (Helix) electrode. Advanced Bionics White Paper
5Multi center Australian validation data of the Nucleus 5 Sound Processor using the Zoom microphone setting. Interim speech performance in noise (N=15).
