Cochlear Implantation From Med-El

Med-El have pioneered the field of cochlear implantation in Europe since the late 1970’s, and are committed to providing the safest and most effective cochlear implants in the world today, with a number of achievements over their long and experienced history.

Med-El's company philosophy aims at atraumatic electrode insertion, unparalleled cumulative survival rates, outstanding speech and comprehension scores and the most power efficient implant and processor combination. Med-El was the first company in the world to introduce the multichannel Cochlear Implant, and the Behind the Ear (BTE) speech processor, which are now industry standards for all cochlear implant manufacturers.

Med-El is committed to:

• Technological excellence.

• Support and service second to none.

• True partnership.

• Ongoing innovative research & development.

• Physicians, patients and their families.

The PULSARCI¹⁰⁰ and SONATATI¹⁰⁰ cochlear implants represent a culmination of decades of research and development. Introducing the new I¹⁰⁰ electronics platform, PULSARCI¹⁰⁰ and SONATATI¹⁰⁰ provide cochlear implant recipients the opportunity to benefit from the absolute latest advances in technology – today and tomorrow.

SONATATI¹⁰⁰ & PULSARCI¹⁰⁰

Med-El Cochlear Implants are designed to provide unprecedented precision in transfer of sound information to the hearing nerve. The sophisticated I¹⁰⁰ electronics platform ensures that implant recipients benefit from the fastest and most effective speech coding strategies available.

In Tune with the Future

For decades, the greatest challenges in cochlear implant performance have included music enjoyment and speech understanding in noise. The sophisticated I¹⁰⁰ electronics platform of the PULSARCI¹⁰⁰ and the SONATATI¹⁰⁰ supports FineHearing™ and Intelligent Parallel Stimulation (IPS™), technologies designed to provide greater sound detail and clarity in all listening situations. IPS will be enabled in the upcoming software release.

FineHearing™

FineHearing technology was developed to provide cochlear implant users the fine details of sound for a richer, more detailed hearing experience.

Intelligent Parallel Stimulation (IPS™)

Until now, cochlear implants have not been able to effectively use parallel stimulation due to the occurrence of channel interaction

Comprehensive Diagnostic Toolkit™

The Comprehensive Diagnostic Toolkit is a set of advanced diagnostic tools enabling CI professionals to test implant function precisely and to monitor the interaction between the implant and the auditory nerve.

MRI Safe - No Magnet Removal Surgery

The PULSARCI¹⁰⁰ is safe for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at 0.2, 1.0 and 1.5 Tesla.1 It is the only implant available for MRI scanning without the need for surgery to remove the internal magnet.

Advanced Electrode Design

MED-EL's soft and flexible electrode arrays offer deep insertion with maximum protection of the delicate inner ear structures. A wide variety of electrode options ensures an ideal match with each person's cochlea.

The New Rechargeable DaCapo battery and charging system

The new DaCapo rechargeable battery system was developed for the OPUS 2 speech processors, known for their power-efficiency without compromising performance.

The DaCapo rechargeable battery system makes the lightest speech processors even lighter and preserves the slim and lightweight design.

The DaCapo System consists of the DaCapo PowerPacks rechargeable batteries, the DaCapo Charger and the DaCapo Frame.

• For use with OPUS 2 speech processors.

• DaCapo plus MED-EL speech processors are:

• Highly power-efficient – without compromising performance.

• Reduces overall weight of MED-EL speech processors even more.

• Fully compatible with FM systems and other external devices (e.g. Bluetooth® with the OPUS 2).

• Other battery pack options can be used interchangeably.

• Charging time: less than 4 hours.

• 10-12 hours of continuous operations.

The DaCapo Charger has 2 independent charging slots with separate charging indicator lights and international AC power supply (from 100-240 V AC, 50-60 Hz) with various power plugs. An optional car cigarette lighter adapter cable is also available (7-15V DC).

OPUS 2 Speech Processor

MED-EL's OPUS 2 is the smallest, thinnest and most lightweight speech processor currently available.

As a worldwide first, the OPUS 2 is designed without any switches for making adjustments. It is operated entirely by a remote control unit, the FineTuner. This design feature permits easy adjustments without interruption of hearing and prevents users from changing settings unintentionally.

The OPUS 2 is designed to take full advantage of MED-EL’s powerful next generation I¹⁰⁰ cochlear implant electronics. It features an integrated telecoil and a standard audio input jack for e.g. wireless FM systems, Bluetooth® etc. connection.

The OPUS 2 is the thinnest and lightest speech processor available

Interchangeable wearing options for all ages and needs

With a selection of five different battery packs, the flexible, modular design ensures that the OPUS 2 will grow with your needs. Different earhook sizes, all of which can be moulded for a custom fit, provide additional flexibility and comfort

Switch-free adjustment with FineTuner

The OPUS 2 is the first speech processor worldwide with a switch-free design

Connect with the world around you

With the OPUS 2, telephones, TV, hi-fi systems, MP3 players, FM systems, game consoles and many more devices can be used with ease.

Feel safe and secure

The following unique features guarantee everyday safety and security of your cochlear implant.

Best Performance

MED-EL cochlear implant systems performed outstandingly in real life situations according to the results of a study conducted by the Hörzentrum Hannover, MHH – Medical School Hannover.

Clinical Study:

"Influence of the Front End Processing on Speech Perception with Cochlear Implants of Various Manufacturers"

Haumann et al., 8th International Conference of the European Society of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Budapest, 8–11 June 2008

Study Overview

The study evaluated everyday listening situations with different levels of background noise. All major cochlear implant systems were represented. Subjects listened to sentences with varying levels of noise. Conditions were similar to those in everyday listening situations.

Subjects and Devices

• Five types of speech processors.

• Eleven subjects in each device group.

Method

• HSM sentences presented at roving level with speech-shaped noise.

Study Results Demonstrate Unsurpassed Performance

• Outstanding hearing results specifically in challenging listening situations for MED-EL users.

• Only MED-EL users could still understand 50% of speech, even when noise was presented at levels louder than speech.

• Only MED-EL users continued to improve as the listening conditions became progressively more challenging.

The Speech Reception Threshold is a measure of how much noise a listening subject can tolerate while still understanding 50% of speech correctly. Speech perception in noise is better when the value of SRT is low. Furthermore, as the Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR) decreases, the listening situation becomes more difficult. A Signal-to-Noise-Ratio of 0, for example, means that speech and noise are at the same level while an SNR of +10 means that speech is 10 dB louder than the presentation level of noise.

Reference

Slides from Haumann et al., presented at the 8th International Conference of the European Society of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Budapest, 8–11 June 2008.

DUET EAS Hearing System

Duet is the first hearing system worldwide to integrate cochlear implant speech processing and hearing aid technology in one comfortable, compact device.

Duet is designed for people with mild-to-moderate low frequency hearing loss combined wither severe-to profound high frequency hearing loss.

Integrated Technology

The acoustic and electric stimulation functions of the system share a common microphone. DUET processes the sound signal so that it is heard using the ideal combination of natural hearing and cochlear implant hearing. DUET also features a common audio input to connect external devices such as FM systems, MP3 players, etc.

Precision Settings

Sensitivity (AGC), digital processing, output and fitting parameters can be adjusted individually to ensure an ideal match with each person's hearing needs and preferences.

User Comfort and Conveniences

DUET is compact and lightweight, weighing only 14.5 g including batteries. Outstanding energy efficiency provides 3-5 days of use on a single set of three 675 zinc-air batteries.

Click here to visit the Med-El website.