Cochlear, a provider of implantable hearing solutions, has announced that the Cochlear Nucleus 6 sound processor is now available as an upgrade for Nucleus Freedom implant system (CI24RE) and Nucleus 5 implant system (CI422 and CI500 Series) recipients.
The next-generation Cochlear Nucleus 6 sound processor is built on a completely new microchip platform with five times the processing power of the market-leading Nucleus 5 sound processor.
The added power enables the Nucleus 6 to support a rapidly expanding array of software programs and accessories.
Forming the Nucleus 6 are useful design features with a system that has two choices of remotes, the industry’s first data-logging capability to record daily use of the sound processor to give a clinician vital information to make precise program refinements, and dual omnidirectional microphones that work in tandem with SmartSound Technology to filter out background noise more effectively than ever.
Cochlear Americas president Chris Smith noted with a five times more powerful microchip opening up a world of capabilities, we are pleased to introduce the Nucleus 6 sound processor.
"We incorporated what we learned over the past 30 years and recipient feedback to design an upgraded system that current implant recipients can enjoy without additional surgery. Our research teams are also working actively to make this new sound processor compatible with our older generation implants, so that all can have access to the latest advances in technology," Smith added.
The Nucleus 6 is smaller than its predecessors and with its modular design, stays comfortably in place and fits children as well as adults.
In fact, the Nucleus 6 sound processor is 29% smaller than the Nucleus Freedom Sound Processor and 6% smaller than the Nucleus 5 Sound Processor.
The exciting lineup of accessories will increase with the future arrival of wireless connectivity.
The release dates for the Nucleus 6 sound processor upgrade for Nucleus 22 and Nucleus 24 implant recipients will depend on research and development timelines, manufacturing processes, and FDA approval procedures.
Given the various factors, Cochlear Americas anticipates to have the Nucleus 6 Upgrade be available for Nucleus 22 and Nucleus 24 Implant recipients in early 2015.