Cochlear has launched the Nucleus Nexa System – the world’s first and only smart cochlear implant system
The Australian-designed and manufactured Cochlear Nucleus Nexa System, is offering the world’s first hearing implant solution with upgradeable implant firmware, revolutionising how people with hearing loss can access future technology. Australians living with hearing loss are among the first in the world to access this technology. Conventional cochlear implants available today can only access future innovation by upgrading their sound processor. With the Nucleus Nexa System this limitation is removed. People with a Nucleus Nexa System can experience new features and advancements via updates to their smart implant’s firmware and upgrades to their sound processor over time.
Jan Janssen, Chief Technology Officer of Cochlear said the company had re-imagined the internal technology of the cochlear implant system.
“The Nucleus Nexa System combines over 40 years of proven reliability from their trusted implants and technology leadership with a new cutting-edge chipset packed with innovative features,” he said. “With onboard diagnostics that monitor system performance to ensure optimal hearing, it reduces the burden on users and carers, setting a new standard in implantable hearing technology. The new chipset powers the implant, enabling the smart features of the system, and it will serve as the platform for Cochlear’s future smart implant innovations. The technological advancements offered in the Nucleus Nexa System are built on more than ten years of intensive research and development.”
The Nucleus® Nexa™ System is the first implant with built-in memory, which allows the user’s personalised hearing settings (MAPs) to be securely stored directly in their Nexa implant. This innovation ensures that users can seamlessly transfer their settings to a new Nucleus Nexa Sound Processor if their current one is lost or damaged.
“This is the first cochlear implant with its own firmware, so the device can be upgraded to new features and advancements throughout the user’s lifetime. Just like a smartphone receives a firmware update, now people with a Cochlear implant can stay connected to the latest technology updates today and well into the future,” said Janssen.
The Nucleus Nexa System intuitively responds to changing needs every day, making hearing easier. It can automatically adjust listening settings to help people hear more clearly. The Nexa implant also features a new gold implant coil and RF Link technology with dynamic power management. This ensures more efficient power and data transfer between the sound processor and the implant, automatically maximising battery life for each user.
Hearing loss affects one in six Australians, with its emotional, social, and financial impact felt at every stage of life. Nearly 30% of individuals with hearing loss report feeling isolated, and more than 70% face challenges in communication, leading to strained relationships and reduced social participation. To have the first opportunity to use the technology, which is designed and manufactured in Australia, is a giant step.
One of the first people in the world with a Nucleus Nexa System is Melbourne-based Stephen Dyt, who has been living with hearing loss his whole life.
“My experience with hearing loss started with seeing both my grandmother and father struggle with hearing loss,” said Stephen. “It was something I have lived with my entire adult life. Since I was 17 years of age, I have worn hearing aids but in the last few years, I wasn’t getting the same benefit, and I was struggling to hear in settings I previously coped well in. My family and friends noticed this change and I decided it was time to explore a cochlear implant. When the opportunity came up to be one of the first people to receive this new cochlear implant, I was extremely nervous and excited. This new implant has dramatically changed things for me and most importantly, my family. I am now able to interact and live with confidence and life is a lot easier as I can now hear clearly,” explained Stephen.
Cochlear has provided more than 750,000 hearing implants to people worldwide, and the company’s implants are the most reliable in the industry.