Oticon Medical announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted premarket approval (PMA) to the company’s Neuro System to treat individuals 18 years or older, with bilateral severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss, who obtain limited benefit from appropriately fitted hearing aid(s). With the expansion of its cochlear implant solutions to the US market, Oticon Medical says “it is well-positioned to become the world’s leading hearing expert within implantable hearing solutions.” People with severe-to-profound hearing loss in 51 countries already benefit from the Neuro System. The cochlear implant system delivers what Oticon says is “premium sound quality, award-winning aesthetic design, and a design that provides outstanding reliability[1]. ” The Neuro System is expected to be made available to US hospitals and clinics in 2021.
As part of the Demant Group, Oticon Medical is said to be “one of the world’s fastest growing hearing implant companies with the capabilities and resources needed to bring its proven expertise in cochlear implantation to the thousands of deaf and hearing-impaired people in the US.” Global reach, combined with local contacts with clinics and users, helps give Oticon Medical “the ability to continue to build the long-term relationships critical for the successful delivery of services and support of the highest quality.”
“At Oticon Medical, we are passionate about using our combined expertise and resources to open up the world of sound to as many people as possible,” said John Sparacio, President of Oticon Medical North America. “We are committed to ongoing innovation in hearing implant technology and support now, and in the future, for cochlear implant candidates, users, and professionals. The Neuro System is an outstanding example of that commitment. Our thoroughly trained and experienced team is now ready to bring a leading edge, highly reliable implant system to the US market.”
The Neuro System is said to be “the first new cochlear implant technology to earn FDA premarket approval in more than 20 years.,” according to Oticon’s announcement. The Neuro System is designated as a Class III device by the FDA.
The design of the Neuro Zti implant has been “optimized to enable a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is designed to reduce the time needed for surgery and to minimize complications associated with healing.” The Neuro 2 sound processor is reportedly “the smallest behind-the-ear processor on the market” and has been awarded a number of design prizes for its aesthetic design and usability. The sound processing technology is built on an Oticon Hearing Aid platform that integrates advanced hearing aid technology based on “more than a century of audiological and sound processing expertise.”
“For more than 12 years, our focus on innovative products, patient outcomes, and support have been essential drivers of Oticon Medical’s success,” said Jes Olsen, President of Oticon Medical. “Earning FDA premarket approval for the Neuro System is a significant achievement and one that will enable us to bring new implant hearing technology with exceptional sound quality, enhanced aesthetics, user friendliness, and reliability to more patients than ever before.”
For more information about Oticon Medical and the Neuro Implant System, please visit: http://www.oticonmedical.com/us/cochlear-implants.
[1] Neuro System Reliability Report 2020
Source: Oticon Medical
Images: Oticon Medical