Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH), the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, today announced the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Nexa™ System – the world’s first and only3* smart cochlear implant system.
Until now, recipients of cochlear implants have been limited to accessing new technology through the external part of their cochlear implant system – the sound processor – and have typically needed a new sound processor to fully experience the benefits of new technology. The new smart Nexa System has upgradeable implant firmware, which for the first time will enable Cochlear recipients to access future innovation through both their implant and sound processor. This new firmware update pathway will enhance recipients’ sound processor upgrades to deliver their best possible hearing experience, giving recipients more ways to access new innovations over time.
In addition, the new Nucleus 8 Nexa Sound Processor with the Power Compact rechargeable battery is the smallest and lightest sound processor with all day battery life on the market.1,2# Through a new algorithm running on the implant called Dynamic Power Management, the Nucleus Nexa System intuitively responds to recipients changing needs across the day, all while adapting to maximize battery life. It is 9% smaller and 12% lighter than the Nucleus 8 Sound Processor with the Power Extend battery allowing patients to benefit from all-day hearing wearing the smallest and lightest sound processor in the world.1,2,4-9,#
“The Nucleus Nexa Implant is the first ever cochlear implant running its own firmware. Similar to smartphones, the implant firmware can be updated to enable new features and access future innovations. Recipients will now have access to their best possible hearing experience with both implant and sound processor updates. The Nucleus Nexa System builds upon Cochlear’s industry-leading portfolio of electrodes, which are designed to optimize the electrode-neural interface and protect cochlear health for a lifetime of hearing performance and opens the door to even greater hearing potential for patients into the future. While it uses the same implant form factor as the most reliable cochlear implant in the industry,10-12, †† the new Nexa Implant features a totally new and redesigned chipset packed with innovative and smart features. This includes onboard diagnostics, which takes the pressure off carers and recipients by allowing the system to check itself and monitor to ensure it is performing to the best of the recipient’s hearing needs. This new system sets a new industry standard,” Jan Janssen, Chief Technology Officer at Cochlear, said.
It is also the first implant with internal memory, which enables unique hearing settings (MAPs) to be securely stored in the implant itself which can be easily transferred to any Nucleus Nexa Sound Processor in the future, in case of a lost or damaged sound processor, making it easier to stay connected to sound.
The new system includes the Nucleus Nexa Implant, the Nucleus Kanso 3 Nexa Sound Processor, and the Nucleus 8 Nexa Sound Processor. The Nucleus Nexa Implant and sound processors are supported by an ecosystem of tools to enable best patient care and outcomes including Nucleus SmartNav, Nucleus Smart App, Custom Sound® Pro fitting software and wireless accessories. In addition, those with Cochlear’s legacy Nucleus Systems will be able to upgrade to the new Kanso 3 Sound Processor. Both the Kanso 3 Nexa and Kanso 3 Sound Processors will deliver all the innovative features introduced with the Nucleus 8 Sound Processor, including SmartSound IQ 2 with SCAN2† and automated ForwardFocus‡.
“The Nucleus Nexa Implant is innovative new technology that I am really excited about. The smart implant innovation further solidifies my confidence in being able to provide the best outcomes for my patients today and in the future,” Dr. David Kelsall from Rocky Mountain Ear Center said.
Like with Cochlear’s previous sound processor technology, the Nexa System is seamlessly connected to an ecosystem that delivers personalized care, a world of streaming options and features rugged IP68 waterproofing for listening in every language environment.13-14,¥,***, ##
“With my cochlear implant, life has changed dramatically for me. Most importantly, I have been able to hear my family and that is my highest priority. I feel like I have been given a second chance and now I value the sounds that I hear with a child-like excitement and joy that I will never again take advantage of,” Lori Miller, recipient of the new Cochlear Nucleus Nexa System, said.
Over 5% of the world’s population, 430 million people, live with disabling hearing loss.15 Up to 80% of children who received implants younger than 12 months demonstrated receptive vocabulary within the normal range by school entry.16 Hearing is not just about being able to hear words and sounds. It goes to the heart of a person’s health, development, wellbeing, and overall quality of life.
