Nucleus Freedom approved in the UK

SmartSound™ Revolutionises hearing for profoundly & severely deaf

New technology allows users to adjust their hearing device to different environments 18 April 2005 – A revolutionary new sound processing technology known as SmartSound™ is set to change the lives of profoundly and severely deaf people by allowing them to adjust how they hear different sounds in different environments. SmartSound is used in the Nucleus® Freedom™ speech processor system that was launched today by Cochlear™ – coinciding with 21 year of Cochlear implants being used in the UK. Wearers of the Nucleus Freedom can change their SmartSound settings to meet their needs in different situations, creating audio flexibility closer to natural hearing and greatly helping the wearer to fully interact with the world around them.

The Nucleus Freedom speech processor is the first hearing system ever to contain four parallel digital signal processors, providing enormous capability to run hearing enhancement programmes such as SmartSound. This SmartSound system uses cutting-edge ‘intelligent’ digital sound technology designed to behave in much the same way as natural hearing, allowing wearers to hear and to concentrate on the sounds that are most important to them.

Three unique settings
The Beam™ setting enables Nucleus Freedom wearers to focus their hearing in crowded and noisy environments, which can sometimes even pose a problem for individuals without any hearing difficulties. It uses dual microphones and an adaptive beaming system to emphasise voices and other sounds in front of the wearer, whilst dynamically reducing sounds from elsewhere. This makes it significantly easier for the wearer to concentrate on the conversation they are having with less distraction from noise around them, enhancing comfort and ease in a social setting such as in a bar or at a party.

The ADRO™ (Adaptive Dynamic Range Optimisation) setting maximises sound clarity in congested listening environments where both loud and soft sounds can be heard at once. ADRO filters out irritating background noises and constant sounds such as aeroplanes or drills that people with natural hearing tend to filter out subconsciously. ADRO works by automatically adjusting the dynamic range of all 22 channels of the SmartSound digital processor in much the same way as a graphic equaliser - enhancing sounds wearers want to hear whilst softening unwanted noise. The highly adaptive nature of ADRO makes it very suitable for children.

The Whisper™ setting is able to pick up quieter voices, people speaking from a distance and other subtle sounds that are difficult to hear, increasing the wearer’s ability to listen to, and comprehend, the softer sounds that may otherwise be too quiet to distinguish.

“Being profoundly deaf can be an incredibly isolating experience,“ comments Lise Henderson, Speech and Language Therapist and Co-ordinator of the Paediatric Cochlear Implant Programme, Manchester. “Even with a hearing implant, it is often difficult to distinguish between the sounds you want to hear and those that you don’t. This means people avoid putting themselves in situations and environments where it is a struggle to hear and they are uncomfortable. The Nucleus Freedom speech processor system is a great advancement and could mean a whole new lease of life for profound or severely deaf individuals.”

In addition to the SmartSound technology, the Nucleus Freedom speech processor system is also splash proof – another first in a speech processor system. It is resistant to high humidity, excessive perspiration and rain, meaning wearers can now be far more confident when wearing their processor during sports or around water.*

“We are very proud of the Nucleus Freedom speech processor system” says Dr Barry Nevison, Technical Manager, Cochlear Europe Ltd “It opens up a whole new world of possibilities for implant recipients, giving them opportunities most of us just take for granted and we are delighted to introduce it at the same time as the UK celebrates 21 years of cochlear implantation”.

For an information pack please contact Cochlear Europe
22-24 Worple Rd
Wimbledon, London
SW18 4DD
Phone: +44 208 879 4900
Fax: +44 208 8946 9066
Email: info@cochlear.co.uk

* Note – The Nucleus Freedom speech processor should not be worn during swimming or water sports.