7. Company milestones 1967 Professor Graeme Clark, University of Melbourne, begins research into implantable hearing solutions for people suffering from sensorineural hearing loss. 1977 First patient receives bone conduction hearing implant. 1978 Rod Saunders becomes first cochlear implant recipient. 1983 Cochlear Limited established with headquarters in Sydney, Australia. 1987 European Office established in Basel, Switzerland. 1995 Cochlear listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. 2001 Cochlear acquires Philips Hearing Instruments with significant European research office. 2005 Cochlear acquires Entific Medical Systems, extending its portfolio to Baha ® bone conduction hearing solutions. 2009 More than 200,000 people worldwide rely on Nucleus ® Cochlear Implants or Baha bone conduction hearing solutions.
8. Product milestones Cochlear Nucleus Cochlear Baha Cochlear Hybrid ™ 1998 2000 2002 2005 2009 First multi-channel behind-the-ear sound processor. Introduction of the award-winning Nucleus 24 Contour TM perimodiolar electrode array. First behind-the-ear sound processor with inbuilt telecoil. First Nucleus Freedom TM splashproof sound processor introduced. Introduction of the Cochlear Nucleus 5 System – a new benchmark in hearing performance. 2008 Introduction of Hybrid product line. 2005 2007 2009 Introduction of Baha Divino ® , the first Baha Sound Processor with digital signal processing. Introduction of Baha Intenso TM , the most powerful headworn sound processor. Introduction of Baha BP100 offering a new level of bone conduction technology.
11. As the global leader in hearing solutions, Cochlear is dedicated to bringing the gift of sound to people all over the world. With our hearing solutions, Cochlear has reconnected over 200,000 people to their families, friends and communities in more than 100 countries.
19. A hearing life: we make it happen with Cochlear Nucleus 5 Leading choice cochlear implant system Nucleus CR110 Remote Assistant Nucleus CI500 Series cochlear implant Nucleus CP810 Sound Processor
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21. Cochlear Baha ® BP100 Clarity in sound. Brilliance in design. Simplicity in use.
25. Baha Sound Processor portfolio Baha Cordelle II Premium listening performance Power and discretion in a head-worn device Body-worn super power Baha BP100 / Baha Divino Baha Intenso
28. An important hearing loss segment Hearing Aids Cochlear Implants Large group of people with high-frequency hearing loss using hearing aids that are not effective Hearing Aids
32. Hybrid – completing your hearing experience Normal Moderate Severe Profound Mild Moderate to Severe Hybrid hearing aid Hybrid cochlear implant Pitch in Hertz (Hz) 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 Loudness in Decibels (dB) 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
33. The Hybrid System Freedom Hybrid Sound Processor Preserving New generation Hybrid L24 electrode designed for superior preservation of residual hearing Powerful Powerful multi-channel hearing aid technology; industry leading cochlear implant sound processing Precise Precise fitting of the hearing aid and cochlear implant using a single program Nucleus Hybrid L24 Implant Custom Sound TM Suite 2.1
34. Along with the industry’s largest investment in research and development, we continue to partner with leading international researchers and hearing professionals, ensuring that we are at the forefront in the science of hearing. For the hearing impaired receiving any one of Cochlear’s hearing solutions, our commitment is that for the rest of their life they will Hear now. And always
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Bringing the gift of sound to people around the world Moved by his deaf father’s struggles and his wish to connect more closely with others, Professor Graeme Clark from the University of Melbourne, Australia, spearheaded research in the 1960s into a groundbreaking new technology to restore hearing: the transmission of sound to the auditory nerve via electrical stimulation, replacing the function of damaged or missing hair cells in the inner ear. This work resulted in the commercial development of the first multi-channel cochlear implant, and the establishment of Cochlear Limited in 1983. Cochlear has been listed on the Australian Securities Exchange since 1995 and has a strong competitive position. With around 2,000 employees in over 20 countries and sales in more than 100 countries, we generate doubledigit annual revenue growth. We are well positioned to open up the world of sound to an increasing number of the 280 million people currently suffering from moderate to profound hearing loss in both ears. This figure will grow as the population ages and life expectancy continue to rise.
Shaping the future of hearing restoration For more than a quarter of a century Cochlear has been shaping the future of hearing restoration by pushing the limits of technology while maintaining the strictest quality standards. With a strong focus on product and service innovation, a pipeline full of products and opportunities, visionary leaders and dedicated employees, Cochlear is determined to maintain its leadership in providing the best possible hearing outcomes to children and adults with moderate to profound hearing loss.
With sales in more than 100 countries, Cochlear operates a tight network of direct operations and carefully selected distributor channels around the world. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Cochlear Europe oversees sales and marketing activities in the culturally and economically diverse region of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). With around 500 permanent employees in EMEA, Cochlear is active in more than 50 markets in this region, including the dynamic emerging economies of Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East. It has direct sales operations in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. In addition, Gothenburg, Sweden, is home to the global headquarters of Bone Anchored Solutions (BAS), the Cochlear division charged with developing, designing and producing the Baha line of products and services. BAS is the global market leader in bone conduction hearing solutions, with more than 55,000 patients served worldwide. In Mechelen, Belgium, Cochlear operates the Cochlear Technology Centre (CTC), a key innovation centre that develops new technologies, products and processes for superior hearing outcomes. Housed in the same building in Mechelen is the Cochlear Academy. Established in 2004, it offers a wide range of training for professional customers, including audiologists, ENT general practitioners and surgeons throughout the EMEA region. With 2,000 course participants enrolled in more than 100 courses since its inception, the Academy plays an important role in ensuring correct use of Cochlear products. It also provides training to Cochlear employees, who meet the highest quality and safety standards and frequently exceed local regulatory requirements.
Cochlear is a truly global organisation and is uniquely positioned in the world in terms of our resources - our understanding of hearing, our understanding of implantable electronics, our global distribution, our reputation with key opinion leaders – is a source of significant competitive advantage. Our internationalisation supports innovation, which is a key driver of our business. It increases our access to the best ideas, the best suppliers and the best people in the world.
A spirit of innovation and a passion for enhancing the quality of life of hearing-impaired individuals is still at the heart of Cochlear’s mission today. To date, more than 200,000 people have entrusted Cochlear with restoring their hearing. This not only reflects the excellence of our solutions, which exceed regulatory safety and quality requirements; it is also evidence of how highly medical professionals and patients value our services and our longterm commitment as their needs and technologies evolve.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, around 280 million people worldwide have moderate to profound hearing loss in both ears. As the global population grows and life expectancy increases, the number of people with hearing loss will continue to rise, making it one of the most widespread global conditions afflicting people in the 21st century. We are proud to restore hearing to people of all ages with moderate to profound hearing loss. Our solutions allow them to participate in group conversation, minimising the need for others to repeat words. They enable people with hearing loss to hear public announcements in buses, call their mothers and appreciate birdsong. Cochlear hearing solutions enhance their quality of life.
As the industry leader, Cochlear continually invests in its lifetime service commitment and three distinct product lines in order to address specific hearing impairment conditions. Cochlear implants are the most effective solutions for restoring hearing to people with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. Our Nucleus product line continues to set the benchmark in hearing performance. It relies on technology that sends coded sound signals to the hearing nerve, completely bypassing the damaged parts of the inner ear. The Baha System is an effective hearing solution for people with conductive hearing loss such as that caused by draining ears, atresia or malformation, mixed hearing loss and single-sided sensorineural deafness. Completely bypassing the outer and middle ear, Baha offers a natural pathway to hearing, allowing sound to be transmitted through direct bone conduction. The system combines a digital highperformance sound processor with a small titanium implant placed in the bone behind the ear. A major advantage of this technology is that the result can be evaluated before the actual surgery is performed. The Hybrid System uses electro-acoustic stimulation (EAS), combining electrical stimulation, as in a cochlear implant, and acoustic stimulation, as in a hearing aid. It leads the way for people who have useful low-frequency residual hearing but require electrical stimulation for the higher frequencies. Patients in Europe have been the first to benefit from Hybrid as this revolutionary technology was introduced to the European market in 2008. Alongside the further development of these product lines, Cochlear is investing time and resources in the search for alternative technologies, thereby continuing to redefine the industry standard.
Baha, the bone conduction hearing system, utilises the body’s natural ability to conduct sound via bone. In cases where the middle ear is blocked or damaged, or when one ear does not function, Baha bypasses the obstacles, naturally stimulating the inner ear. The Baha system consists of a high-performance sound processor and a small titanium implant placed in the bone behind the ear. The sound processor captures the sound vibrations and directs them through the implant and the bone to the inner ear.
The Baha System, first used in 1977, has been used to successfully treat more than 60,000 patients worldwide who have either a conductive/mixed hearing loss or Single Sided Sensorineural Deafness (SSD) and who do not benefit from traditional hearing aids. The surgical procedure is simple and straightforward and does not involve any surgery in the ear itself. In most cases, the surgical procedure can be performed under local anaesthesia with predictable outcomes. Connecting and disconnecting the sound processor is simple. A plastic snap is mounted onto the sound processor. It is designed to snap into the abutment and hold the sound processor securely in place. The Baha System is the most effective treatment for SSD as it eliminates the head shadow effect, improves speech intelligibility in noise and has greater perceived benefit than the contra lateral routing of signal (CROS) aid. The Baha system produces natural sound through direct bone conduction. The Baha System uses direct bone conduction to deliver clear, efficient sound, as no portion of the system invades the outer or middle ear structures in any way.
Cochlear’s newest innovation in bone conduction sound processors is based on the latest technology including advanced digital signal processing. With the new BP100 you can hear more than with other direct bone conduction devices – even when it’s noisy. Clarity in Sound : Experience more than 25% improved understanding of speech – even in noisy situations Brilliance in Design : If performance, reliability and design are what you’re looking for, the BP100 fits the bill. Additionally, the paediatric features are designed with children, parents and caregivers in mind. Simplicity in Use : The BP100 couldn’t be easier to use; it adjusts to your listening environment automatically.
The Hybrid system is Cochlear’s third implantable hearing solution, sitting alongside Cochlear Implants and Baha. The Hybrid system gives Cochlear access to a large new market segment – people suffering from severe to profound high frequency (ski slope) hearing loss. Until now, these people have depended on hearing aids, often with frustration and limited benefits. Hybrid now gives these patients a real alternative with outstanding results.
Studies show that conventional acoustic amplification is often ineffective for transmitting speech sounds to those with a severe to profound high frequency hearing loss, and provides minimal benefit for speech understanding. Even with appropriately fitted hearing aids, many of these hearing impaired individuals still struggle with speech comprehension and hearing environmental sounds, especially at a distance or in the presence of competing noise. They often find it difficult to hear the higher frequencies, such as consonants in speech, as well as sounds such as birds chirping, doorbells and ambulance sirens – potentially impacting their safety, employment opportunities and overall quality of life.
After more than eight years of rigorous development and evaluation through multi-centre clinical trials, the Cochlear Hybrid system is a new treatment option now available to address the unique needs of patients with high frequency hearing loss. This exciting technology provides access to high frequency information via electrical stimulation to improve speech perception abilities. At the same time, Hybrid uses acoustically useful low frequency hearing that may lead to additional benefits such as the ability to listen in the presence of background noise and to appreciate music. The Hybrid system from Cochlear is the first truly integrated electroacoustic stimulation solution available for those with severe to profound high frequency hearing loss.
Innovation is not just one of our core values, it is a strategic priority and has been the lifeblood of our company since its foundation. As the technology leader in its field, Cochlear invests around twice the industry average and a significant percentage of its global sales revenue in research and development, with approximately half of our headcount employed in this field. To ensure the best possible hearing outcomes, we research a range of technologies for a variety of conditions.