Cochlear Global Privacy Policy

When you interact with Cochlear through use of our websites, apps, products or services, or via communications with us, we may collect and use your personal information.

We want you to understand what personal information we collect, how we use it, with whom we share it, how we endeavour to protect it, how you can access and/or correct it, and, finally, how to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

This Privacy Policy applies to the websites, apps, products and services provided by Cochlear Limited and its subsidiaries around the world (the“Cochlear Group”), a list of which can be found here, as well as communications with Cochlear.

Please note: this Privacy Policy does not govern Cochlear’s collection, use, or disclosure of Protected Health Information as defined by the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”). You may view our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.

Information collected

What personal information does Cochlear collect?

Personal information provided by you

When you interact with Cochlear, you may provide us with your personal information. For example, you may provide:

  • your name and contact details when registering for a Cochlear account on our websites or via one of our apps, or when visiting a Cochlear facility or event;
  • information about your personal hearing journey in our Cochlear Community forums or other services;
  • information about your age, health or medical treatment when registering a device, or using or requesting information about our products and services; or
  • your credit card number when purchasing products or services from us.

If you are a healthcare professional, we may also collect information about your medical specialty, your clinical interests, and your involvement with Cochlear products.

You are not required to provide this personal information to us, but in some circumstances, we might not be able to provide all of our services to you without your personal information.

Personal information collected through your use of the products and services.

Enabling certain features within Cochlear apps and services may allow you to share additional information about your use of the app and/or your hearing device. Additionally, when you visit our websites or use our apps, your computer or mobile device may send certain analytic data to us such as your IP address, your browser version, the version of the app you are using and any errors encountered. For additional details read the section below on how Cochlear uses cookies, and for details about specific products, services and activities, see the Privacy Supplements section.

Personal information from third parties.

From time-to-time, we may acquire information about you from other organisations or individuals. For example, upon receiving a hearing implant, your clinic may register with us your hearing implant serial number, sound processor serial number and configuration, and contact details to make sure you have our full support. We may also acquire data from third-party providers to supplement our market analysis and marketing efforts. This additional data helps us to provide you with a more personalised experience.

Uses of information

How does Cochlear use personal information?

In order to transform the way people understand and treat hearing loss, and innovate and bring to market a range of implantable hearing solutions, we use personal information for the purposes described below and those described in the Privacy Supplements. Based upon Cochlear’s Global Limited Warranty and upon our regulatory obligations to keep and maintain records related to our medical devices, we use your information to:

  • track your warranty periods
  • maintain a distribution record and device history record of Cochlear products
  • maintain a record of medical queries and/or complaints relating to our products
  • register

Based upon your consent or as otherwise permitted under applicable law, we use your personal information to:

  • register your devices
  • enable our marketing and promotional efforts, such as by inviting you to participate in surveys and provide feedback to us, or by contacting you with offers and other information related to our products and services, which we believe will be of interest to you

Based upon Cochlear's interests in providing you with the services you request and to continually improve Cochlear's products and services, we use your personal information to:

  • respond to your requests for information about our products and services
  • provide you with a personalised experience when you use our websites and apps
  • provide you with service-related notifications such as warranty expirations
  • create a profile from the interactions we have with you to help us understand what information you might be interested in receiving
  • test, support and develop upgrades and improvements to our products and services (e.g., to enable fitting, activation, maintenance and management of devices) as well as to develop new products and services
  • analyse product performance, service and reliability data
  • improve the content, functionality and usability of our websites and apps
  • monitor for security or anti-fraud purposes

Sharing of information

When do we share personal information and with whom?

Within the Cochlear Group

We may share personal information within the Cochlear Group globally. Each member of the Cochlear

Within our Service Providers

We share personal information with organisations that provide or perform services to or on behalf of Cochlear; for example, companies that provide website support services, or that help us market our products and services. In some cases you may provide your personal information directly to these third party service providers (e.g. when you make a purchase in our online store and enter your credit card information for payment, that data is sent directly to a third party payment processor), and the data may or may not be shared by that third party with Cochlear. Our service providers are required by contract to protect the confidentiality of the personal information we share with them and to use it only to provide services to us.

With health Care Partners, Providers and Carers

We may share your personal information with your health care providers (e.g. your surgeon, audiologist, etc.) to assess your suitability for our products, to help with your use of our products, or for other reasons related to treatment, health care operations, or payment. For example:

  • when you place an order online for an applicable product or service, we may share your personal information with organisations paying for health services on your behalf (for example, Medicare or Medicaid in the U.S., and reimbursement authorities and insurance companies in Europe); and
  • when using Cochlear's cloud technologies to allow sound processor MAP files to be securely backed-up by Cochlear and shared among your designated healthcare providers.

Additionally, in accordance with applicable laws, we may disclose personal information to parents, guardians or carers (as applicable).

Business Transactions

Your personal information may be transferred to a company that has acquired the stock or assets of a member of the Cochlear Group or one of our operating divisions; for example, as the result of a sale, merger, reorganization or liquidation. If such a transfer occurs, the acquiring company’s use of your personal information will still be subject to this Privacy Policy and the privacy preferences you’ve expressed to us.

Legal/Government Requests and the Protection of Cochlear and Others

We may disclose personal information when we, in good faith, believe disclosure is appropriate to:

  • comply with the law (or a court order or subpoena);
  • comply with lawful requests from public and governmental authorities;
  • prevent or investigate a possible crime, such as fraud or identity theft; or
  • protect the rights, property or safety of the Cochlear Group, our users or others.

Cookies and tracking

How does Cochlear use cookies, social media plug-ins and similar technologies?

Cookies are small files that your internet browser stores to help websites keep track of information between visits. Our websites use cookies to help us:

  • understand which of our web pages you visit, how often and from what types of devices;
  • gather and remember information about your browsing devices and preferences;
  • personalise elements of our websites based on your browser, device, country and language; and
  • gather information about the website you came from and other sites you have visited to help categorise your browsing into a market segment for market analysis; and
  • provide you with more relevant content, promotional communications and advertisements.

As an example, when you visit our websites, cookies help us identify what you search for, what content you visit, and how frequently you return. Although the information we collect via cookies does not directly identify you, once you register on our websites we may associate your prior and future activity on our websites and apps with the contact details you have provided.

Some of the cookies used by our websites are set by us, and some are set by third parties on our behalf. Our use of cookies from third parties enables interest-based advertising that may cause you to be shown advertisements from Cochlear on other websites that you visit.

We use Google Analytics to obtain statistical data about use of our websites and apps, and Google Adsense and Google DoubleClick for managing and placing advertisements (together “Google Services”). Google Services allow your usage to be correlated across multiples devices, such as across your mobile phone and desktop computer. Click here to learn more about Google Analytics or prevent it from collecting information about your visit to our websites, or visit http://myaccount.google.com to control your advertising experience across Google Services.

If you do not want cookies set, you can configure your internet browser to reject cookies. Doing so may prevent certain features of our websites from working as intended. To learn more about cookies and similar technologies, visit http://allaboutcookies.org. You can also opt-out of interest-based advertising via industry-operated websites by visiting http://www.networkadvertising.org/choices, http://www.aboutads.info/choices and http://www.youronlinechoices.com (for European residents).

Cookie Controls for European Visitors

By default, Cochlear’s websites directed to residents of Switzerland and countries within the European Economic Area (Cochlear Europe Websites) set only essential cookies which are necessary for the proper functioning of the websites. If you visit Cochlear Europe Websites, you will be presented with a cookie banner notice through which you can agree to or decline our setting of non-essential cookies, such as those used for analytics and personalisation. From this banner, you can open our European Cookies Control to designate the specific categories of cookies you will permit Cochlear to set. Your choices will persist only on Cochlear Europe Websites and not on websites directed to individuals residing outside of Switzerland and countries within the European Economic Area. Due to the manner in which cookies operate, your choices will also only persist on a per domain basis, meaning that you will be separately prompted when you navigate between Cochlear Europe Websites which reside on different domains (e.g. cochlear.com versus iwanttohear.com).

Social Media Plug-ins

In addition to cookies, we have also implemented social media plug-ins from social networks like Facebook and Twitter so that you can share things from our websites with your online friends and connections. With every visit to our sites which include a plug-in, your browser will connect to the Facebook and/or Twitter servers. If you are logged-in to the Facebook and/or Twitter services while you are visiting our websites, they may associate your browsing on our website with your respective user account.

Storing personal information

Where is personal information processed and stored?

Cochlear is a global company, headquartered in Sydney, Australia, but with key facilities and personnel in the European Union, the United States and elsewhere. Your personal information may be transferred to, processed and stored anywhere Cochlear, the Cochlear Group or their respective service providers operate. To the extent that personal information is collected from EU/EEA residents and transferred to countries which may have lower legal standards for protection of personal information, Cochlear will take steps to protect and otherwise process it in accordance with EU standards of data protection.

For how long will Cochlear retain personal information?

Cochlear is a global company, headquartered in Sydney, Australia, but with key facilities and personnel in the European Union, the United States and elsewhere. Your personal information may be transferred to, processed and stored anywhere Cochlear, the Cochlear Group or their respective service providers operate. To the extent that personal information is collected from EU/EEA residents and transferred to countries which may have lower legal standards for protection of personal information, Cochlear will take steps to protect and otherwise process it in accordance with EU standards of data protection.

Security

How does Cochlear help secure personal information?

Cochlear has implemented appropriate administrative, technical and organisational measures to help protect personal information from misuse, loss, and unauthorised access or disclosure. Our security measures include appropriate access control, encryption (where appropriate) and regular security assessments.

Children's information

How does Cochlear address children’s privacy and parents’ rights?

Our websites and services are intended for general audiences, such as patients, parents, and the general public, and they are not specifically directed toward children. Certain Cochlear services and apps are accessed via a Cochlear Account and Child Accounts can be created with a parent’s consent. See the Cochlear Accounts privacy supplement for more information on creating and managing a Child Account.

Your personal information rights

How can you access, correct or delete personal information?

We respect your right to make choices about how we collect, use and share your personal information. Whenever we collect your personal information, we take steps to help ensure that it is accurate, complete, and up-to-date. But we understand that your personal information and your privacy preferences may change over time.

Contact us via one of the methods listed below in order to access, correct, amend or delete your personal information within Cochlear’s control or to restrict or object to the processing of your personal information in accordance with applicable laws. Where you have consented to the processing of your personal information, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time. To help protect your privacy and security, we will take reasonable steps to verify your identity before providing you with access to your details or correcting, amending or deleting our records.

You can always unsubscribe from promotional communications either via the unsubscribe links within the communications or by contacting us via one of the methods described at the end of this Privacy Policy.

 

Privacy Supplements

In the supplements below, we describe how specific products, services and activities collect and use personal information in ways that are not described in our main Privacy Policy (above), or that require further clarification.

With the Nucleus® Smart App, you can optimise your hearing experience directly from a compatible Apple or AndroidTM device. The app lets you pair a Nucleus 7 Sound Processor via Bluetooth® with your compatible smartphone, allowing you to quickly change programs, adjust volume, control streaming accessories, access operating tips and locate a lost or misplaced sound processor.

Data Sync

When you enable data sync, hearing data from your sound processor and the Nucleus® Smart App will be regularly synchronised with Cochlear services to make it accessible from all of your connected devices. The data sent includes data from the Nucleus Smart App's Hearing Tracker feature, such as how much time you spend in speech and how often your sound coil is disconnected. The synchronised data does not include or reveal details of your medical condition. By synchronising this data with Cochlear, users of multiple mobile devices will see the same data in Hearing Tracker across each mobile device.

TThe data sync feature is enabled on a per-recipient basis. When a parent or carer enables the data sync feature for a Cochlear implant recipient, the feature will also be enabled for their spouse and/or other carers that are using the Nucleus Smart App with the implant recipient's device. For example, if the parent of a Cochlear implant recipient enables the data sync feature for their child’s sound processor(s), this will also enable the feature for the implant recipient’s other parent who is using the Nucleus Smart App to control their child's sound processor from their own mobile device. Similarly, when one parent or carer disables the data sync feature, it is disabled for all other carers of the implant recipient.

Cochlear uses the personal information received via the data sync feature to provide the synchronisation service and to enable other Cochlear services available in select markets. Additionally, Cochlear uses the personal information only in a de-identified form, without the names of the recipients or of the carers, to identify trends, to advance and share scientific research findings, to understand how its products and services are used, and to continually improve its products and services. We will retain the data sync data for as long as you maintain your Cochlear account or until you request otherwise.

The data sync feature is not necessary for your use of your sound processor. It is an optional feature that you can enable or disable from the Settings screen within the Nucleus Smart App at any time.

Data Sharing

The Data Sharing feature of the Nucleus Smart App is available in select markets and enables you to share your hearing data with a participating clinic. When you share your hearing data with a clinic, the clinic will be able to view data from your hearing implant, sound processor and the Nucleus Smart App, as well as any data specifically related to services that rely upon the Data Sharing feature, such as Remote Check. The data shared with your clinic can help your health care professional better understand how you are using your device and its performance.

To enable Data Sharing, you must first enable Data sync (described above) to regularly synchronise your data to Cochlear. Data Sharing is only available to participating clinics in select markets. If your clinic enrols you in a service that relies upon Data Sharing, such as Remote Check, you will be prompted within the Nucleus Smart App to enable the request to share your data with the clinic. From within the Settings menu in the Nucleus Smart App, you can view which clinics you are sharing data with and which ones have requested you to enable Data Sharing. You can disable Data Sharing at any time.

Essential Data

When you log in to the Nucleus Smart App with your CochlearTM Account, information related to your implant and sound processor is sent to Cochlear. This information allows us to validate that the app is being used with approved hardware.

Notifications

The Nucleus Smart App asks you to enable notifications to allow the app to notify you with important alerts regarding your sound processor. This feature also enables background features such as the Hearing Tracker.

You can enable or disable this feature in your smartphone's app notification settings.

Find My Processor / Location Services

The Nucleus Smart App uses your device's GPS and WiFi or cellular network to help you find a lost or misplaced sound processor. It does this by storing the last place you used your sound processor, and the last location where the app was used with your sound processor. Your location data is not sent to Cochlear.

You can enable or disable this feature within your smartphone's settings for location services.

Analytical Data

The Nucleus Smart App collects and sends de-identified data to Cochlear about how the app is used and any errors it encounters. This data helps Cochlear continually improve the Nucleus Smart App and other Cochlear products and services. Examples of analytic data include the type of mobile device and operating system used, how often features within the app are used, and internet protocol addresses to assess the general geographic region in which the app is used. Cochlear implements technological and administrative measures to prevent this data from being associated with your identity.

The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Cochlear Limited is under license.

Apple is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Android is a trademark of Google LLC.

Creating a Cochlear Account enables you to login to and use a variety of Cochlear services and apps, such as the Nucleus Smart App, the myCochlear web portal, and our online store. Services which make use of Cochlear Accounts vary by market.

When you create a Cochlear Account, we ask for your name, email address and date of birth. We use this information to associate your Cochlear Account with your Cochlear device registrations to help us provide the most relevant services to you. Additionally, your email address may be used for communications related to your Cochlear account and date of birth helps us ensure that child accounts are only created with the consent of a parent or guardian.

Child Accounts and Parental Consent

Cochlear services and apps may be used by children via a Child Account. Child Accounts can be created by parents or guardians through the services and apps which permit their use, such as the Nucleus Smart App. See the Nucleus Smart App FAQ for instructions on creating a Child Account.

Child Accounts may access the same Cochlear services and apps available to adults. This may result in personal information being sent to Cochlear. For example, a child using the Nucleus Smart App may enable features such as data sync which is described more fully in the Nucleus Smart App privacy supplement.

Cochlear Account-enabled services available in some markets enable the sharing of health information with a designated healthcare professional. Once enabled, parents may request such services be disabled at any time by contacting the healthcare professional or Cochlear.

Parents may review, edit, request the deletion, or prevent further collection or use of their children's personal information by contacting us as described in this privacy policy.

Personal Information Collected

When you apply to work at or for Cochlear, you are asked to provide a variety of information, such as contact details, a detailed employment and educational history (e.g. CV/resume and/or academic transcripts), proof of work eligibility (e.g. passport and/or visa), and a description of your skills (e.g. foreign languages).

Information about you may also be collected from others as a result of:

  • Interview feedback
  • Reference checks
  • Background checks
  • Web searches such as via Google or LinkedIn
  • Psychometric assessments

The specific information requested from you and collected from others may vary by country.

Purpose Of Collection

Information collected in the job application process is used for purposes such as assessing your suitability for one or more roles, maintaining a record of representations made to Cochlear at the time of application, and helping us assess the effectiveness of our job applicant screening tools and processes. This information is also used to ensure we understand your background, strengths, and opportunities for development.

Sharing With Third Parties

Beyond our use of vendors acting on Cochlear's behalf, personal information collected in the job application process will not be shared with third parties without your consent. When you provide personal or employment references as part of your job application, Cochlear may contact those individuals and disclose to them that you have applied to work at Cochlear.

Retention Period

In the event that your application to work at or for Cochlear is successful, we will retain your job applicant data for the duration of your employment/engagement at Cochlear. If you leave Cochlear's employment/engagement, your job applicant data will be deleted in accordance with Cochlear's internal data retention and deletion standards.

Cochlear deletes job applicant data within 12 months of an unsuccessful application, unless you have asked Cochlear to keep the application data on file to consider you for future roles, in which case the data will be deleted within 5 years of the last time you were considered for a role.

Bring Back the Beat is a fun mobile app to help Cochlear implant recipients regain or develop a new appreciation of music by learning to distinguish instruments, tones and pitch. When you use the app we collect some personal information and use it to bring you the best experience possible.

Personal Information Collected

When you use Bring Back the Beat, we collect and use the following categories of personal information:

Category of personal information Purpose of collection and use
Your name and contact details such as your email address and phone number We use this information to create your Cochlear Account, if you don't already have one, and to enable your access to Cochlear websites, apps and services, including Bring Back The Beat. See the Cochlear Account privacy supplement for more details.
Game data, such as your game progress and your gamer photo By using your Cochlear Account to log in to Bring Back The Beat, we can save your game progress. This means that if you change phones or login from a different device, Bring Back The Beat will be waiting right where you left off. We also use this information to enable the leaderboard, which allows you to see how you’re progressing along with the rest of the Bring Back The Beat players.
Spotify data If you connect your Spotify account to Bring Back The Beat, we collect information about the tracks and artists you listen to in Spotify to enable the Repertoire game mode to help you reach new levels of music appreciation.
Analytic data Bring Back The Beat collects and sends to Cochlear de-identified data about how the app is used and errors it encounters. This data helps Cochlear continually improve Bring Back The Beat and other Cochlear products and services. Examples of analytic data include the type of mobile device and operating system used, how often features within the app are used, and internet protocol addresses to assess the general geographic region in which the app is used. Cochlear implements technological and administrative measures to prevent this data from being associated with your identity.

Sharing Of Personal Information

When you use Bring Back the Beat, we use your first name and last initial to identify you on the leaderboard to other Bring Back the Beat players. If you connect Bring Back the Beat to your Spotify account, we will also send information to Spotify about your use of Bring Back the Beat. Otherwise, we will share your personal information with other third parties only with your consent or based on a lawful obligation to do so. Note, if you choose to upload a photo to personalise your gaming experience, the photo will not be displayed on the leaderboard or shared with other players.

Retention Of Your Personal Information

We will retain your Bring Back the Beat game data for as long as you have a Cochlear Account or until you ask us to delete it. If you delete your Cochlear Account, we may retain de-identified analytic data about how you used Bring Back the Beat.

We will keep your Spotify data for as long as you keep your Spotify account connected to Bring Back the Beat. You can disconnect your Spotify account from within the Bring Back the Beat app by tapping the Spotify icon within the Repertoire game mode and following the disconnect prompts.

Cochlear's Remote Check enables Cochlear implant recipients to use the Nucleus Smart App to conduct self-tests at home and share those results and device diagnostic information with a participating clinic. When the self-tests are conducted, the test results, including personal information will be sent to Cochlear.

Participation in Remote Check is optional, and you may withdraw from Remote Check at any time by contacting your clinician or by contacting Cochlear as specified below.

Personal Information Collected From Remote Check Participants

Based upon your consent, we collect and use the following categories of personal information:

Based upon Cochlear's interests in continually improving Cochlear’s products and services, we use also use the information collected via Remote Check in a de-identified form to better understand the use of our products and services, and to continue to innovate new hearing solutions.

Category of personal information Purpose of collection and use
Your name and contact details such as your email address and phone number. We use this information to identify you within our internal systems, communicate with you, notify you of Event details, and to keep track of our interactions.
Biographical and health information, such as your age or date of birth, your level and duration of hearing loss, and your use of hearing devices. For Events intended for candidates and/or recipients for Cochlear's hearing solutions and/or services, we use this information to ensure that we are providing relevant content and speakers for the Event. We also use this information for demographic and statistical purposes to better understand our customers and potential customers.
Your personal history as a recipient of Cochlear's products and/or services or carer, as well as your interests, skills and availability. We use this information, along with other biographical information, to identify opportunities for you to participate in the Cochlear Volunteer Program, such as by connecting you with individuals interested in learning more about your personal experience with hearing loss or as a loved one to a recipient of Cochlear's products and/or services.
Photographs, videos and/or audio recordings (together 'recorded media') of you. At some Events, we take recorded media to use in our communications and materials within Cochlear, as well as on our external websites, social media accounts, and print publications. We will always ask you before using recorded media which features you prominently in focus in an identifiable manner (e.g. a close-up photograph or video), but may use recorded media without your consent if you are merely in the background, out-of-focus, or otherwise not readily prominent or identifiable.
Travel details In limited circumstances, Cochlear may assist with booking travel and/or accommodation for Events. In these instances, we will use travel details, including any national identity documents or payment details, only as necessary to complete the booking.

Sharing Of Personal Information

The key purpose of Remote Check is to enable you to perform self-tests and share your results with your clinic. We will only share your Remote Check information with the clinics you approve. You can control which clinics have access to your Remote Check information through the Data Sharing feature of the Nucleus Smart App. Read the Nucleus Smart App privacy supplement for more information on the Data Sharing feature. If applicable, your designated parent, guardian or carer will also be able to access the personal information we collect from you. We will share your personal information with other third parties only with your consent or based on a lawful obligation to do so.

Retention Of Your Personal Information

The information collected through Remote Check is stored by Cochlear on your behalf unless and until you direct us to delete it.

Cochlear Family is a free-to-join membership program offered by Cochlear to recipients in select markets. It supports recipients, their families and carers as they learn to use and live with their device.

When you join Cochlear Family you will receive communications from Cochlear which may include information about new services and products, promotions, special offers, invitations to events and optional surveys. These communications may be delivered through different channels, depending on the contact information you have provided, including - email, mail, phone and text.

You can leave Cochlear Family at any time by contacting us via one of the methods described at the end of this Privacy Policy. If you choose to leave Cochlear Family you will no longer be entitled to access the benefits of the program. Should you wish to re-join the program you can do so at any time by contacting your local customer support team.

Personal Information Collected From Cochlear Family Members

Based upon your consent, we collect and use the following categories of personal information:

Category of personal information Purpose of collection and use
Your name and contact details such as your email address and phone number. We use this information to identify you within our internal systems, communicate with you, and to keep track of our interactions.
Biographical and health information, such as your age or date of birth, your level and duration of hearing loss, and your use of hearing devices. We use this information to better understand your personal hearing journey and/or your experience with hearing devices to evaluate how Cochlear can best support and communicate with you. We also use this information for demographic and statistical purposes to better understand our customers and potential customers.

Sharing Of Personal Information

If applicable, your designated parent, guardian or carer will also be able to access the personal information we collect from you. We will share your personal information with other third parties only with your consent or based on a lawful obligation to do so.

Retention Of Your Personal Information

We will retain your Cochlear Family information for as long as you remain in the program.

Cochlear Conversations is an invitation-only program offered by Cochlear to recipients and their carers in select markets. The aim of Cochlear Conversations is to conduct market research and collect feedback from Cochlear customers to help inform and improve Cochlear products and services.

When you join Cochlear Conversations you will receive invitations to provide feedback and to participate in surveys and/or other market research activities. These communications may be delivered through different channels, depending on the contact information you have provided to us, including - email, mail, phone and text.

You can leave Cochlear Conversations at any time by contacting us via one of the methods described at the end of this Privacy Policy.

Personal Information Collected From Cochlear Conversations Members

Based upon your consent, we collect and use the following categories of personal information:

Category of personal information Purpose of collection and use
Your name and contact details such as your email address and phone number. We use this information to identify you within our internal systems, communicate with you, and to keep track of our interactions.
Biographical and health information, such as your age or date of birth, your level and duration of hearing loss, and your use of hearing devices. We use this information to better understand your personal hearing journey and/or your experience with hearing devices to evaluate how Cochlear can best support and communicate with you, and which market research activities will be most relevant to you. We also use this information for demographic and statistical purposes to better understand our customers and potential customers.
Market research responses When you provide feedback, complete surveys or otherwise participate in market research activities as part of Cochlear Conversations, we will use the information you provide to help improve our products and services. Your responses will be collected and reported on at an aggregate level, but we will always notify you beforehand if survey responses will be associated with you.

Sharing Of Personal Information

If applicable, your designated parent, guardian or carer will also be able to access the personal information we collect from you. We will share your personal information with other third parties only with your consent or based on a lawful obligation to do so.

Retention Of Your Personal Information

We will retain your Cochlear Conversations information for as long as you remain in the program. We will de-identify any retained data within 12 months of you leaving the program.

Our Cochlear Volunteer Program is a team of volunteers made up of thousands of people and their loved ones around the world who hear with a Cochlear solution. They all share one thing in common – a passion for helping others on their hearing journey.

Our Cochlear Volunteers share their stories, offer support and provide information to anyone considering or getting a Cochlear hearing solution, including their parents, family members or friends.

Personal Information Collected Through Expressions Of Interest

When you submit an expression of interest to become a Cochlear Volunteer, we will ask you for certain personal information to evaluate your application.

Based upon your consent, we collect and use the following categories of personal information to determine the extent to which suitable opportunities are available for you to participate as a Cochlear Volunteer:

  • Your name and contact details such as your email address and phone number;
  • Biographical and health information, such as your age or date of birth, your level and duration of hearing loss, and your use of hearing devices;
  • Your personal history as or connection to a Cochlear implant recipient, as well as your interests, skills and availability; andIn some countries, a criminal background check or police clearance for an additional security and qualification measure.

Personal Information Collected From Volunteers

Based upon your consent, we collect and use the following categories of personal information:

Category of personal information Purpose of collection and use
Your name and contact details such as your email address and phone number. We use this information to identify you within our internal systems, communicate with you, and to keep track of our interactions.
Biographical and health information, such as your age or date of birth, your level and duration of hearing loss, and your use of hearing devices. We use this information to better understand your personal hearing journey and/or your experience with hearing devices to evaluate how Cochlear can best support you. We also use this information for demographic and statistical purposes to better understand our customers and potential customers.
Your personal history as a Cochlear implant recipient or carer, as well as your interests, skills and availability. We use this information, along with other biographical information, to identify opportunities for you to participate in the Cochlear Volunteer Program, such as by connecting you with individuals interested in learning more about your personal experience with hearing loss or as a loved one to a cochlear implant recipient.
Written materials, quotes, photographs, videos and/or audio recordings of you. With your additional consent, we may use this information in our promotional materials.
Training records. We may provide you with access to specialised training and we keep a record of training activities to better understand your specific knowledge and expertise.

Sharing Of Personal Information

In evaluating your expression of interest, Cochlear will not share your personal information with third parties without your consent or a lawful obligation to do so.

If you become a Cochlear Volunteer, Cochlear may share your details with individuals who are interested in learning more about your hearing journey or with organisations involved in events where you may speak in your capacity as a Cochlear Volunteer. If applicable, your designated parent, guardian or carer will also be able to access the personal information we collect from you. We will share your personal information with other third parties only with your consent or based on a lawful obligation to do so.

Retention Of Your Personal Information

If you join the Cochlear Volunteer Program, we will retain your volunteer information for as long as you remain in the program. If you do not join the Cochlear Volunteer Program, the personal information included in your expression of interest will be destroyed shortly after such a determination.

Cochlear regularly conducts or supports a variety of events, large and small, at venues all over the world (Events). Audiences for Events include individuals seeking to learn more about Cochlear products and services, recipients of Cochlear medical devices, Cochlear Volunteers, and health care professionals.

Personal Information Collected For Events

When you register for and/or attend an Event, based upon your consent and upon our interest in facilitating your attendance, we collect and use the following categories of personal information:

Category of personal information Purpose of collection and use
Your name and contact details such as your email address and phone number. We use this information to identify you within our internal systems, communicate with you, notify you of Event details, and to keep track of our interactions.
Biographical and health information, such as your age or date of birth, your level and duration of hearing loss, and your use of hearing devices. For Events intended for candidates and/or recipients for Cochlear's hearing solutions and/or services, we use this information to ensure that we are providing relevant content and speakers for the Event. We also use this information for demographic and statistical purposes to better understand our customers and potential customers.
Your personal history as a recipient of Cochlear's products and/or services or carer, as well as your interests, skills and availability. We use this information, along with other biographical information, to identify opportunities for you to participate in the Cochlear Volunteer Program, such as by connecting you with individuals interested in learning more about your personal experience with hearing loss or as a loved one to a recipient of Cochlear's products and/or services.
Photographs, videos and/or audio recordings (together 'recorded media') of you. At some Events, we take recorded media to use in our communications and materials within Cochlear, as well as on our external websites, social media accounts, and print publications. We will always ask you before using recorded media which features you prominently in focus in an identifiable manner (e.g. a close-up photograph or video), but may use recorded media without your consent if you are merely in the background, out-of-focus, or otherwise not readily prominent or identifiable.
Travel details In limited circumstances, Cochlear may assist with booking travel and/or accommodation for Events. In these instances, we will use travel details, including any national identity documents or payment details, only as necessary to complete the booking.

Sharing Of Personal Information

If you agree to a separate media release, we may share recorded media featuring your image and/or voice via social media, website, print or as otherwise specified in such a media release. We will share your personal information with our service providers and business partners, as relevant to their involvement with and/or the services they provide for our Events. We will share your personal information and travel details as necessary to book any agreed travel and/or accommodation (e.g. sharing your name and date of birth with an airline to book flights). We will share your personal information with other third parties only with your consent or based on a lawful obligation to do so.

Retention Of Your Personal Information

We will retain records of Event registration and attendance only for as long as is necessary for the proper management and administration of the Event and to analyse event demographics and trends over time.

With the Osia® Smart App, you can optimise your hearing experience directly from a compatible Apple or Android™ device. The app lets you pair an Osia Sound Processor via Bluetooth® with your compatible smartphone, allowing you to change programs, adjust volume, control streaming accessories, access operating tips and locate a lost or misplaced sound processor.

Personal information collected through the Osia Smart App

Based upon the services you request and/or upon your consent, we collect and use the following categories of personal information:

Category of personal information  Purpose of collection and use
Information from your Cochlear Account A Cochlear Account is required to login to and use the Osia Smart App. Depending upon your Cochlear Account settings, we may use your Cochlear Account to communicate with you. See the privacy supplement for the Cochlear Account to learn more.
Analytic Data The Osia Smart App collects and sends deidentified data to Cochlear about how the app is used and any errors it encounters. This data helps Cochlear continually improve the Osia Smart App and other Cochlear products and services. Examples of analytic data include the  type of mobile device and operating system used, how often features within the app are used, and internet protocol addresses to assess the general geographic region in which the app is used. Cochlear implements technological and administrative measures to prevent this data from being associated with  your identity.

Sharing of personal information

If applicable, your designated parent, guardian or carer will also be able to access the personal information we collect from you. We will share your personal information with other third parties only with your consent or based on a lawful obligation to do so.

Retention of your personal information

The information related to your Cochlear Account is stored by Cochlear unless and until you direct us to delete it. Analytic data is stored indefinitely in a de-identified form to enable us to identify trends in the use and operation of the Osia Smart App.

Contact Us

How can you raise questions or concerns about this policy or about how Cochlear handles your personal information?

Should you wish to access your information, change your contact preferences, or raise any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please email privacy@cochlear.com or contact one of the regional Cochlear offices closest to you:

Although we will strive to address any questions or concerns you may have, you also have the right to directly contact your local privacy or data protection regulator.

Policy Changes

What happens when this policy changes?

We may need to update this policy from time-to-time for a variety of reasons, including changes in laws, regulations and our business practices. When we make a change, we’ll post our updated privacy policy 30 days before it becomes effective to help ensure that you are aware of what’s new.

Thank you

We appreciate you taking the time to read this policy. We know that you are placing your trust in Cochlear when you choose to share your personal information with us and we intend to use it responsibly.

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