History in the making at The Hearing House

We made history at The Hearing House last week, when three of our kiritaki/clients had their new cochlear implants switched on, making them among the first in Australasia to receive the world’s first smart cochlear implant system — the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Nexa™.

The new product features built-in memory and smarter syncing of the internal device– just like a smartphone - so there's less time ‘off air’ if a client's sound processor is lost or damaged. It also offers greater personalisation features for the user.

Cochlear NZ Director of Sales, Simon Wilson, says: “I’m delighted that Kiwis are amongst the first in the world to benefit from this life changing technology, designed with the goal to deliver better hearing solutions to our customers today and into the future."​

“The Nexa System stands out as the world’s first and only smart hearing implant featuring internal memory capability and upgradeable firmware, allowing customers to experience new features and advancements, via both updates to the firmware in their smart implant and upgrades to their sound processor over their lifetime”.

Simon Wilson, Cochlear NZ Director of Sales

Tina Watt (60), from Rotorua, had her single-sided device switched on under the watchful eye of audiologist Nick Jones, himself a cochlear implant user.

“Having a cochlear implant is a huge and exciting step towards regaining a normal life,” says Tina, who’s been a swim instructor for the past 17 years. “I look forward to hearing from and communicating with my family and friends.

“My cochlear implant will also enable me to participate in and enjoy everyday activities, including listening to music shows.  It’s fantastic!” she says.

Prior to the implant, Tina had worn a hearing aid in her left ear. She is profoundly deaf in her right ear; the result of contracting rubella in-vitro.

Holly Teagle, clinical director of The Hearing House, adds “Cochlear implant technology has continuously evolved and improved since it was first introduced to New Zealand around 40 years ago. 

“This new technology is a huge leap for the sector.  Making the internal implant component forward compatible for future upgrades puts many parents of young children at ease, knowing their child will not be limited by present-day technology. 

“And for those adults new to the technology, it gives them the reassurance that they’re receiving a state-of-the-art product which is efficient, effective and in sync with their lives.”

Cochlear representatives Kirsty Morrish, Nicola Robertson and Saji Maruthurkkara joined our clients for the switch-on.

Read the press release here: https://assets.cochlear.com/api/public/content/2de768fb6dc94de598fcd5953c7bddb8?v=22cb1d98