Cochlear Implants
by Cochlear Guest Author

Cochlear obtains FDA approval of Kanso 2 Sound Processor, first off-the-ear cochlear implant sound processor with direct smartphone connectivity

July 6, 2020
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We are excited to announce that Cochlear has received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of the new Cochlear™ Nucleus® Kanso® 2 off-the-ear Sound Processor (CP1150). We have also obtained approval to extend our Nucleus® 7 Sound Processor to Nucleus® 22 implant recipients and will be introducing our next generation CI fitting software, Custom Sound® Pro. 

Kanso 2

Kanso® 2: Smart has never been so simple.

Compatible with our Nucleus 24 Implant Series forward~, the Kanso® 2 Sound Processor combines the latest connectivity and proven hearing performance technology1-4 features of our Nucleus 7 Sound Processor in a small, all-in-one, off-the-ear design. The Kanso 2 Sound Processor also introduces a built-in rechargeable battery for all day hearing5*, direct streaming from compatible smartphones# and improved dust and water resistance for added peace of mind.+

Nucleus® 7 for Nucleus® 22 implant recipients: Hearing has never been so smart.

Our Nucleus 22 implant recipients have been part of the Cochlear Family since 1982, and we are delighted to now offer the only behind-the-ear cochlear implant sound processor to offer direct streaming, connectivity and control from a compatible Apple® or Android™ device#.  With this built-in connectivity, patients can answer their smartphone and enjoy direct connection in both ears,‡ conveniently control and monitor their sound processor, improve their hearing in noise6, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from being able to locate their sound processor. All of this is available without additional attachments or additional intermediary devices.

Custom Sound® Pro: Designed by clinicians for clinicians.

Alongside these two product approvals, Cochlear is delighted to also introduce Custom Sound® Pro fitting software – our next generation of CI fitting software. With an intuitive new design layout and guided workflows, Custom Sound® Pro has been designed to enhance the fitting process for you and your patients, today and into the future. A new patient dashboard with integrated patient goals promotes additional patient engagement and facilitates more effective tracking of progress between appointments. Additionally, new adjustment screens help support clinical efficiencies while allowing you access to all the same power and flexibility that suits you.

Cochlear family commitment.

Cochlear is always considering the needs of our recipients. We also understand that when we introduce new sound processor technology, there are recently implanted Cochlear recipients who were unable to select this latest technology. As part of our Technology Exchange Program, newly implanted patients who have been activated from FDA approval date forward until the commercial release of the Kanso 2 sound processor are eligible to exchange one of their sound processors in the activation kit for the new Kanso 2 sound processor.  If desired, eligible recipients will be able to begin processing this exchange at commercial launch.

For current Nucleus recipients who have recently qualified for an upgrade, Cochlear will be offering a 90-day return and exchange period on all upgrade orders based upon shipping date. Within this period, upgrades can be returned for full credit, or exchanged for another compatible sound processor.  If you have current recipients who are interested in upgrading their Nucleus device, remember Cochlear is here to support them, and you. Directing recipients to Cochlear’s Reimbursement and Insurance Support Center is one way to help alleviate some of the work for your staff. Our team of support specialists are here to support your patients through every step of their hearing journey.

Key Dates:

July 6, 2020 Upgrade Pre-orders availableCochlear will begin processing upgrade pre-orders for the Kanso 2 Sound Processor and Nucleus 7 Sound Processor for Nucleus 22 recipients
August 2020 Custom Sound Pro Software releaseCustom Sound Pro fitting software is required and must be used to program these new sound processor innovations. To schedule a Software Support session, please book time here: https://calendly.com/cochlear-software-support/cs-software-support.

What Should I Do Next?

  • Join us on Wednesday, July 8 at 5pm ET or Tuesday, July 14th at 12 pm ET for a live, in-depth introduction to our latest innovations! Watch the recording here.
  • Read the complete press release here!
  • Contact your local Cochlear representative for more information.

Thank you for helping our recipients Hear Now. and Always

Author

Cochlear Guest Author

In an effort to keep our content fresh and reflective of a diverse industry, Cochlear Americas features a mix of employees and professional partners to contribute to Cochlear ProNews as Guest Authors.

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Related Posts

Journal Club: Age-Related Changes in Temporal Resolution Revisited: Electrophysiological and Behavioral Findings From Cochlear Implant Users

January 14, 2020

By Mary Beth O’Sullivan, Professional Education Manager, Cochlear Americas

Age-Related Changes in Temporal Resolution Revisited: Electrophysiological and Behavioral Findings From Cochlear Implant Users

Bruna S. S. Mussoi and Carolyn J. Brown

Ear & Hearing (2019) 40, 1328-1344

In today’s busy clinical environment, clinicians who value research-based practice often struggle to keep up with current literature.  To help, we’re excited to offer a new ProNews Blog monthly feature – Journal Club!  Each month, rotating guest authors will present a current journal article summary.

This month’s Journal Club explores a recent 2019 study, Age-Related Changes in Temporal Resolution Revisited: Electrophysiological and Behavioral Findings From Cochlear Implant Users. Factors such as etiology and duration of deafness are well-documented influences on cochlear implant patient outcomes, but the specific role that aging plays on performance is still being investigated.

Studies have shown that older adults demonstrate similar outcomes as other age groups when testing is conducted in quiet, while performance for testing in noise resulted in significant differences.1,2 These findings could be attributed to peripheral and/or central causes, and the recent publication by Mussoi and Brown adds important details to this body of literature by evaluating aspects of both. 

What did the study investigate?

Goals of the study include to:

  1. Re-examine age-related changes in temporal resolution CI users
  2. Assess the impact of aging on the relationship between temporal resolution, cognition and perception of speech in noise in CI users

Why is this important? 

As cochlear implant clinicians, we are driven by optimizing performance for our patients. Clarifying influential factors helps to ensures best practice for counseling expectations as well as for programming older adults.  The authors point out that our understanding of the affect of aging has relied on data accumulated decades ago and deserve a fresh look with current accepted methodology and technology.

How did they do it? 

Here is your need-to-know: 

  • 20 post-lingually deafened subjects
    • 10 subjects age 18-40 years old
    • 10 subjects age 68-82 years old
  • Native English speakers
  • Cochlear Nucleus® recipients with a minimum of one year of listening experience
  • Full insertion a minimum of 19 active electrodes
  • Cognitive screening score cutoff of 27/30
  • Subjects were tested unilaterally. Bilateral CI recipients utilized the preferred better hearing ear and bimodal listeners removed the contralateral hearing aid.

Peripheral Evoked Potential Recordings: ECAP recordings of auditory nerve function were stimulated with Custom Sound® software and recorded on a mid-array electrode previously identified as a robust option. Auditory nerve function was assessed with varying intervals between a masker and probe stimuli, meaning that the nerve was in different states of recovery. The masker stimuli consisted of either a single pulse (refractory recovery paradigm) or a constant pulse train (pulse train recovery paradigm), adding to the challenge of neural recovery and more closely resembling typical CI use.

Central Evoked Potential Recordings: cortical-evoked responses were recorded using stimuli consisting of two constant pulse trains separated by a gap which varied in duration.

Perceptual Measures: Using the same stimuli as the central electrophysiological recordings, gap detection thresholds were measured by providing three presentations and requiring subjects to choose the option with the different gap interval.  Speech perception was tested via direct audio input via Quick Speech Perception in Noise (Quick SIN). 

Cognitive Measures:  Two tests of processing speed and one test of working memory were utilized.

Results and Discussion3

No significant findings were reported in peripheral or central evoked potential or the perceptual measures components of the study.  All subjects passed stringent criteria with the cognitive screening. The only significant finding was that the speed of processing was slower for the older adults, which is consistent with normative data of the general population. When relationships between the various measures was analyzed, one of the temporal resolution measures were correlated to speech in noise.  Working memory was the only measure that correlated with speech in noise.

Results of this study suggest that the effect of advancing age on temporal resolution is minimal, but changes working memory as we age appear to correlate with poorer performance in noise.  The authors acknowledge the small sample size and the possibility that the stimuli used were not challenging enough to reveal age effects. However, more challenging tasks can may become a test of decreased cognitive abilities.  According to the authors, this is only the second study of its kind in which subjects are all CI recipients.  This could be important criteria in separating the effects of age and hearing impairment. 

The older adult population is a bracket that will continue to grow in numbers and increasing need for hearing implants and successful intervention.  It will be exciting to continue to learn from studies that focus on this area.

Learn more about by accessing the publication and stay tuned for next month’s edition of Journal Club!

About our guest author: Mary Beth O’Sullivan is a Professional Education Manager at Cochlear Americas, creating educational opportunities for cochlear implant professionals using research and best practice guidance.  Mary Beth has been an audiologist for 20 years, working in clinical settings ranging from large university hospitals to private practice prior to dedicating herself to the education side of the field. 

References

1. Forli, F., Lazzerini, F., Fortunato, S., Bruschini, L., Cerrettini, S. (2019). “Cochlear implant in the elederly: Results in terms of speech perception and quality of life,” Audiology & Neurotology, 24, 77-83.

2. Lenarz, M., Sönmez, H., Joseph, G., Büchner, A., Lenarz, T. (2012). “Cochlear Implant Performance in Geriatric Patients,” Laryngoscope. 122, 1361-1365.

3. Mussoi, B. S. S., and Brown, C. J. (2019). “Age-related changes in temporal resolution revisited: Electrophysiological and behavioral findings from cochlear implant users,” Ear & Hearing. 40, 1328-1344.

Camille Dunn, AuD

SSD/UHL treatment considerations: Q&A with Camille Dunn, AuD

April 19, 2022

By Camille C. Dunn, PhD, CCC-A, Assistant Research Professor, Director, University of Iowa Cochlear Implant Program Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery

Camille Dunn, AuD

Recently, we met with a diverse group of thought leaders to explore best practices for single-sided deafness (SSD)/unilateral hearing loss (UHL). Hear from Dr. Dunn on her experience treating these patients:

What clinical considerations are in your treatment pathway for SSD/UHL Patients?

We consider an array of treatment options such as osseointegrated solutions, CROS hearing technology and a cochlear implant. We have a document that we go over with patients so that they can have an understanding of what each type of technology can and cannot provide for the patient. We do an extensive interview with the patient to understand their hearing history (i.e. duration of loss, etiology), lifestyle, demographic and other medical factors and goals for seeking treatment for their SSD.  Based upon this interview, we discuss with the patient which of the treatments would be best or most realistic to help them accomplish their listening goals.

Do you think that the counseling process should include discussion on bone conduction and cochlear implant hearing solutions?

It absolutely should include all of the patient options. If the patient is choosing a cochlear implant, they need to understand that hearing with a CI is a lifelong commitment. Different than someone with bilateral severe-to-profound SNHL, the CI will not ever be their “good ear.” The CI will serve to supplement the normal hearing ear to accomplish spatial hearing abilities. They will have to commit to utilizing the CI effectively by doing listening exercises and wearing the CI all waking hours.  As with any type of exercise, consistency is key.

Why is the ability to treat patients with UHL/SSD with cochlear implants important to audiologists, surgeons and patients?

As a medical professional, we are trained to want to provide treatments to our patients. This situation is no different.  Patients coming to our clinic who have had gradual progressive hearing loss (maybe even in both ears) for several years have had a chance to accommodate situations with their gradually changing hearing loss.  For patients with sudden SSD, they often come to our clinics feeling very debilitated and scared. They suddenly cannot localize sound (or understand speech in adverse listening situations). Imagine hearing your child cry for help and you have no idea where to look for your child to provide them help because you cannot localize where the sound is coming from? Imagine working in a warehouse and all of a sudden you have no idea which direction the beeping is coming from warning you that there is a forklift nearby? All of these situations are life-altering for individuals with SSD.  When you let that patient know that there is an option to restore hearing to the deafened ear, you can immediately see a level of calm come over these patients.  

What would you tell a provider that is hesitant to explore CI as a treatment option for UHL/SSD?

I would tell them that there is good reason to be hesitant. When we first started implanting patients with SSD I thought that we were crazy!  I thought that there was no way that a person with normal hearing would want to listen to the sound from a CI in their deafened ear. I was wrong. I would also tell them that counseling these patients and preparing them for a CI is a bit different than what we used to call our traditional CI patients (because what is traditional these days?). Testing these patients for progression and benefit from their CI is a bit different than listeners with standard bilateral SNHL.  I would recommend reaching out their cochlear implant representatives to ask them to guide them through the initial processes of providing care and counseling to these patients so that their patients can have successful outcomes.   

Tell us about your experience at the SSD Thought Leader Meeting and what that means for the industry?

The SSD Thought Leader Meeting provided a dynamic avenue for professionals to come together and discuss their experience working with individuals with SSD who get a CI. I believe that together we accomplished a lot. We all came together to develop a consensus on the best way to, not only better understand the benefits of CI for SSD, but treat, counsel and better understand the needs of these patients. They are different than other listeners who have traditionally gotten a CI and because of that, they need to have their own platform of care.

Hear more from another Thought Leader Meeting attendee, Andrea Overton, AuD, and check out our recent FDA approval for CI for SSD.

Camille Dunn, PhD, joined the Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Iowa in 2003 where she is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Cochlear Implant Program.  She received her Master of Science degree in 1998 and Doctor of Philosophy Degree in 2003 both from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Dunn holds her Audiology license from the State of Iowa. She maintains her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) and is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and a Board member on the American Cochlear Implant Alliance (ACIA). She is a Principal Investigator on a NIH-funded grant to determine the impact of intervention on user’s hearing-related functions and disability in their natural environments.

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This material is intended for health professionals. If you are a consumer, please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.

 

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