[September 11, 2024] – Durham, NC – MED-EL USA announced today that OTOPLAN, the cutting-edge surgical software solution by MED-EL, has been recognized in the fifth annual Hearing Technology Innovator Awards™. The annual awards program, hosted by Hearing Health & Technology Matters (HHTM), celebrates leading technological advancements and achievements within the hearing industry. OTOPLAN stands out for its ability to revolutionize cochlear implant surgery.
Designed for precision and efficiency, the planning software combines advanced imaging capabilities with user-friendly features to optimize surgical planning, execution, and outcomes for MED-EL cochlear implant recipients. OTOPLAN further underscores MED-EL’s leadership in delivering personalized hearing implant solutions that allow people with severe to profound hearing loss access to the world of sound.
OTOPLAN empowers surgeons and audiologists to customize the cochlear implant journey for each patient based on their individual anatomy by providing precise cochlear measurements. This capability aids in selecting the optimal electrode from MED-EL’s industry-leading range of six different lengths (20-34mm) and enables individualized programming based on electrode positioning within the cochlea. These innovations differentiate OTOPLAN as a programming tool in hearing healthcare technology.
“OTOPLAN’s innovative blend of high-resolution imaging, personalized surgical planning, user-friendly interface, and data-driven insights set it apart as a leading solution in cochlear implant technology. Its comprehensive approach not only enhances surgical precision and informs optimal electrode selection, but also drives continuous improvement and education in the field of audiology,” said John Sparacio, President and CEO of MED-EL USA. “We are honored to receive this recognition, and proud of the role OTOTPLAN plays in advancing the field of cochlear implant surgery.”
“The Innovator Awards are designed to shine a spotlight on the visionaries and companies turning groundbreaking hearing technology into tangible solutions,” stated Dr. Robert Traynor, a member of the 2024 Awards judging panel. “MED-EL is driving the industry forward with their commitment to advancing technology and improving lives for people living with hearing loss.”
MED-EL was previously recognized by HHTM’s Innovator Awards, including “Innovator of the Year” in 2020 for the SYNCHRONY Cochlear Implant (CI) System (Gold), the AudioKey App (Silver) and the BONEBRIDGE Bone Conduction Implant (Bronze). Providers can learn more about OTOPLAN here.
About the Hearing Technology Innovator Awards
The Hearing Technology Innovator Awards™ is a global awards program created to honor and recognize innovation within the hearing industry. Since its inception, the program has helped raise over $30,000 for hearing-related charities. Learn more here.
About HHTM
Hearing Health & Technology Matters (HHTM) provides timely information and lively insights to anyone who cares about hearing loss. Readers and contributors are drawn from many sectors of the hearing field, including practitioners, researchers, manufacturers, educators, and, importantly, consumers with hearing loss and those who love them. By involving all these groups, we hope to bridge the gaps in knowledge that so often divide them. To learn more, visit HearingHealthMatters.org
About MED-EL
MED-EL Medical Electronics, a leader in implantable hearing solutions, is driven by a mission to overcome hearing loss as a barrier to communication and quality of life. The Austrian-based, privately owned business was co-founded by industry pioneers Ingeborg and Erwin Hochmair, whose ground-breaking research led to the development of the world’s first micro-electronic multi-channel cochlear implant (CI), which was successfully implanted in 1977 and was the basis for what is known as the modern CI today. This laid the foundation for the successful growth of the company in 1990, when they hired their first employees. To date, MED-EL has more than 2,800 employees from around 80 nations and 30 locations worldwide.
The company offers the widest range of implantable and non-implantable solutions to treat all types of hearing loss, enabling people in 137 countries enjoy the gift of hearing with the help of a MED-EL device. MED-EL’s hearing solutions include cochlear and middle ear implant systems, a combined electric acoustic stimulation hearing implant system, as well as surgical and non-surgical bone conduction devices. www.medel.com
