Cochlear implant beams iPhone audio straight into your brain

The company Cochlear Limited has taken the wraps off its new Cochlear Nucleus 7 Sound Processor, an FDA-approved technology that is explicitly 'Made for iPhone' so that those hard of hearing can better utilize their Apple smartphone. This is the first ever cochlear implant sound processor designed to work with the iPhone, and it also has the distinction of being the market's smallest/lightest behind-the-ear implant processor, says Cochlear.

The new Nucleus 7 Sound Processor replaces the previous model — the Nucleus 6 Sound Processor — and boasts a form factor that is overall 24-percent lighter and 25-percent smaller. Despite that, the version 7 model has SmartSound iQ with SCAN, as well as dual microphones, for help hearing in loud environments such as a restaurant full of talkative guests.

The new sound processor works with a companion Nucleus Smart App, which itself includes a Hearing Tracker for keeping tabs on things like how long the wearer spends in a speech-based environment and how often the sound processor doesn't detect the coil. Those who lose their processor can use the app to help track it down much in the same way someone may track their iPhone.

This is made possible thanks to the iPhone or an iPod Touch, whichever was last connected to the sound processor. The technology plays well with Apple's devices overall, being the first iPhone Smart Bimodal Solution; it works with the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad, and can sync audio between both it and a hearing aid in the other ear.

Talking about this, Cochlear's CEO Chris Smith said:

The approval of the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is a turning point for people with hearing loss, opening the door for them to make phone calls, listen to music in high-quality stereo sound, watch videos and have FaceTime calls streamed directly to their cochlear implant. This new sound processor builds on our long-standing commitment to help more people with hearing loss connect with others and live a full life.

Availability will begin in the US and Canada this upcoming September.

SOURCE: Cochlear Implants