Cochlear Hybrid hearing system
Object No. 2011/22/1
The Cochlear Hybrid System combines a cochlear implant with an acoustic hearing aid. The system helps people who have profound hearing loss at high frequencies, yet can still hear at low frequencies. The implant part of the system uses electronic signals to stimulate areas of the inner ear that are receptive to high frequency, while the attached hearing aid amplifies low frequency sound. Claimed to be the first system that truly integrates cochlear implants and hearing aid systems, the Cochlear Hybrid represents a new market for Cochlear, designed for people with some residual hearing rather than people with profound hearing loss who require traditional cochlear implants. The new implant design has a shorter, thinner electrode that is inserted a short way into the cochlea to stimulate only the higher frequency sounds, preserving the part of the cochlea that can hear low frequency sounds. Well suited to people with age-related hearing loss, the Hybrid System is said to improve understanding of speech in noisy environments, awareness of environmental sounds and appreciation of music. The Cochlear Hybrid System received an Engineering Excellence Award, an Australian International Design Award and Powerhouse Museum Selection in 2009. The system represents continued innovation by an Australian company that has become an international leader in the manufacture and sale of cochlear implant systems. Angelique Hutchison Curator March 2011
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Summary
Object Statement
Collection of hearing aid components, accessories and information packs, 'The Cochlear Hybrid System', various materials, designed and made by Cochlear Ltd, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2008
Physical Description
This device combines cochlear implant and hearing aid technology into one system. The material includes: - Freedom Hybrid sound processor demonstration kit with accessories and booklet in silver carry case - Nucleus Hybrid L24 cochlear implant and packaging - Freedom Hybrid behind the ear (BTE) sound processor and hearing aid components - black carry case with chargers and accessories - other accessories including bodyworn controller, cables, microphone and headphone adaptors, ear hooks, coloured panels, microphone protectors, batteries and packaging - Custom Sound Suite CD and documentation - documentation, information and instructions for Cochlear Hybrid implant and sound processor.
DIMENSIONS
Height
75 mm
Width
270 mm
Depth
245 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
Designed and made by Cochlear Ltd, Sydney, Australia, 2008 The Cochlear Hybrid System combines electrical and acoustic hearing technology into one system. The Nucleus Hybrid L24 implant has an electrode lead which is inserted into the cochlear that is thinner and shorter than standard cochlear implants in order to minimise any damage to the fine intracochlear structures. It still contains 22 electrode contacts for precision stimulation. Like standard cochlear implants, the Hybrid L24 implant is MRI safe up to 3 Tesla and builds on the reliability of the Freedom implant. The Freedom Hybrid sound processor receives sound and processes it into electrical and acoustic signals. It then delivers these two signals to the auditory system through cochlear implant technology (electrical signals) and state-of-the-art full digital hearing aid technology (acoustic signals). Freedom Hybrid sound processor features: - 'All in one' design for simplified use: two technologies combine to make user interaction simple, eliminating the need to operate two separate devices. - The Freedom Hybrid sound processor can be worn comfortably in Behind-the-Ear (BTE) as well as Bodyworn configurations, due to its modular design. - Rechargeable BTE Controller battery and AAA (Bodyworn only), for maximum flexibility in a variety of situations which helps to manage operating costs. - Water resistant: The sound processor with the Acoustic Component is water-resistant, enabling the recipient to participate in waterbased activities without needing to remove this device . - Accessibility to various communication and entertainment equipment: an integrated telecoil is included to simplify telephone use. It is compatible with a broad range of accessories such as FM systems, TVs, music players and Hi-Fi systems. Sourced from Australian International Design Awards 2009 entry http://www.designawards.com.au/application_detail.jsp?status=8&applicationID=5551&year=2009
HISTORY
Notes
These objects were lent to the Museum for display in the 2009 Australian International Design Awards exhibition July 2009 - June 2010 and subsequently donated to the Museum. The Cochlear Hybrid System received an Engineering Excellence Award, an Australian International Design Award and Powerhouse Museum Selection in 2009. The Cochlear Hybrid system was first implanted in 2004 and following clinical trials was released onto the market in 2009-2010.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Cochlear Ltd, 2011
Acquisition Date
1 April 2011
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