Cochlear Nucleus 6 implant Review by Gardner Audiology Cochlear.com
Cochlear was founded in 1978, in Australia, by Graeme Clark who had for years been searching for ways to help his deaf father. Cochlear Americas was established in 1984 with headquarters outside of Denver, Colorado. In 1985 Cochlear was the first to be FDA approved for their multi-channel device. Clinical trials began shortly thereafter for pediatric implantation.
The current implant and sound processor by Cochlear is the Nucleus 6 which offers two sound processors, both built from tough materials to withstand active lifestyles. One of these processors is the most compact on the market. Both processors will be able to work with a future range of wireless audio accessories.
Former Miss America Heather Whitestone McCallum is a Cochlear Nucleus implant user.
Advanced Bionics Cochlear Implant Review by Gardner Audiology AdvancedBionics.com
Advanced Bionics was founded in 1993 by Alfred E. Mann with the mission to develop implantable patient care solutions that improve quality of life. Advanced Bionics was acquired by the Sonova Group in 2009 and began working with Phonak, a hearing aid company, allowing for greater access to engineering and technology advancements.
Advanced Bionics implants are upgradable, meaning as technology improves, the device can too, without need for additional surgeries.
Current processors include the Neptune, which is the only “swimmable” processor in the world and the Platinum Series which is a small body-worn option. The current implant from Advanced Bionics is the HiRes 90K family which features 16 independent current sources and a removable magnet for MRI compatability.
MED-EL Rhondo Cochlear Recovers Hearing by Gardner Audiology Medel.com
Founded by Dr. Hochmair and Prof. Hochmair in Innsbruck, Austria in 1977, MED-EL has been an industry leader from the beginning of cochlear implant technology. MED-EL was the first to offer a behind-the-ear processor for their implants instead of the body worn device in 1991. Currently, they are leading the way with the world’s first single unit processor, Rondo. The current implant is the MED-EL Concert which has their unique, soft, and flexible electrode array that is the same length as the cochlea, which takes advantage of all available nerve fibers.
The Rondo model pictured below is a unique diversion from typical implant apparatus. The processor, connection, and power are all in one convenient module that eliminate exterior wire and connectors. This unit still needs to connect to an array of electrodes that have been surgically implanted into the cochlea.
