Australian company Cochlear has unveiled what it claims is the world’s first smart cochlear implant system, offering a significant step forward in hearing technology for people living with hearing loss.
In a media release, the company said the new Cochlear Nucleus Nexa System is the first and only hearing implant that features both internal memory and upgradeable firmware, allowing recipients to access future software advancements without the need for further surgery.
Australians will be among the first globally to access the next-generation device, which is both designed and manufactured in Australia.
“This is the first cochlear implant with its own firmware, so the device can be upgraded to new features and advancements throughout the user’s lifetime,” said Jan Janssen, Chief Technology Officer at Cochlear.
“Just like a smartphone receives a firmware update, now people with a Cochlear implant can stay connected to the latest technology updates today and well into the future.”
According to Cochlear, the Nexa System is powered by a newly developed chipset that enables smart features and serves as the foundation for future implant innovations.
The device includes onboard diagnostics that monitor system performance and automatically optimise hearing throughout the day.
Janssen said the Nexa System builds on over 40 years of Cochlear’s technology leadership and more than 10 years of research and development. “The new chipset powers the implant, enabling the smart features of the system, and it will serve as the platform for Cochlear’s future smart implant innovations,” he said.
In particular, the Nexa System allows updates to both the sound processor and the internal implant firmware.
The Nexa implant also features internal memory capable of securely storing personalised hearing settings – known as MAPs – within the device itself. This allows for seamless transitions when replacing a lost or damaged sound processor.
“With the brand-new ‘Smart Sync’ feature, the user simply needs to pick up or receive a blank sound processor, and the personalised settings are automatically copied from the implant to the replacement processor, allowing a person to hear again in a matter of seconds,” Janssen said.
Professor Robert Briggs, Director of the Cochlear Implant Program at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, said it is critical to explore hearing solutions early.
“Hearing loss affects so many areas of a person’s life – from employment, social interaction, relationships, and well-being,” he said.
“For Australians with hearing loss, it is important for you to speak to your hearing health professional to see what options are available to you.”
Cochlear says the Nexa System’s new RF Link technology and gold implant coil also contribute to more efficient power and data transfer between the processor and implant, helping to extend battery life.
Stu Sayers, President of Asia Pacific & Latin America at Cochlear, said the launch reinforces the company’s leadership in hearing health innovation.
“We are driven by a passion for progress — to help people hear and be heard,” he said. “This next-generation technology has the potential to transform the experience and outcomes for people living with hearing loss today and well into the future.”
