In Sync with Natural Hearing / MED-EL sets next milestone with a new cochlear implant system (FOTO)

Innsbruck, Austria (ots) -

Today, MED-EL announced the official launch of the SYNCHRONY
system - a new groundbreaking cochlear implant system. It includes
the SYNCHRONY (PIN) implant* offering the greatest MRI safety
possibilities currently on the cochlear implant market and the SONNET
audio processor specifically designed to mimic the processing of
sound more naturally. These features make the SYNCHRONY system the
new pioneering solution for all cochlear implant candidates. The new
SYNCHRONY cochlear implant system will be available in all countries
that recognize the CE mark.

Additionally the new system is based on MED-EL's Triformance
concept. The unique Triformance concept combines Complete Cochlear
Coverage, Structure Preservation and the FineHearing sound coding
technology to deliver the best possible hearing to cochlear implant
recipients.

MED-EL introduced the new system at the 13th International
Conference on Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Auditory
Technologies, which is held in Munich from 18th - 21st June 2014.

Designed for superior MRI safety

Even without the need for magnet removal the new SYNCHRONY (PIN)
implant allows high-resolution MRI scans up to 3.0 Tesla due to its
unique rotatable self-aligning internal magnet design. This
represents the highest MRI safety on the market and makes medical
check-ups much more comfortable and safe for cochlear implant users.
The new SYNCHRONY implant's compact design ensures it is the smallest
and lightest cochlear implant currently available - making it the
ideal choice for young candidates.

More natural hearing with advanced technologies

The new SONNET audio processor offers the latest generation of
automatic sound management (ASM 2.0) representing MED-EL's goal to
achieve more natural hearing for individuals with severe to profound
sensorineural hearing loss. This is also supported by the latest
system software release, MAESTRO 6.0**.

Encompassing dual microphone technology recipients benefit from
the latest advances in noise reduction technology. Thanks to this the
audio processor actively adapts to any listening environment to
ensure optimal hearing performance. Automatic Volume Control, Wind
Noise Reduction and Microphone Directionality make it a comfortable
solution in any listening situation.

The SONNET EAS audio processor is now also available with acoustic
amplification to provide Electric Acoustic Stimulation (EAS) for
candidates with partial deafness. Both the SONNET and the SONNET EAS
are fully compatible with the last 20 years of MED-EL cochlear
implant technology.

MED-EL's well-established single-unit processor RONDO is
additionally available as an external component of the SYNCHRONY
cochlear implant system.

Fittings made quick and easy

The new MAESTRO System Software 6.0** simplifies programming
MED-EL cochlear implants through the Max Programming Interface and
for the first time allows bilateral fittings through a single
programming unit. Furthermore, professionals benefit from a number of
new features such as an integrated USB power and data connection, or
a telemetry port for faster and even more reliable measurements.

Dr. Ingeborg Hochmair, CEO of MED-EL, is pleased to officially
announce the launch of the new cochlear implant system: "Never before
has the market seen a cochlear implant that doesn't require surgical
removal of the magnet for a high-resolution, 3.0 Tesla MRI scan,"
said MED-EL CEO, Dr. Ingeborg Hochmair. "Combined with a new audio
processor that offers advanced technologies available only from
MED-EL, the SYNCHRONY Cochlear Implant can give our recipients the
best speech and music perception possible today. We are proud to
bring such an innovative CI system to the market."

For more information please visit www.medel.com.

* The SYNCHRONY (PIN) implant is pending regulatory approval
** The MAESTRO system software 6.0 is pending regulatory approval

About MED-EL

Austria-based MED-EL Medical Electronics is a leading provider of
hearing implant systems with 29 subsidiaries worldwide. The
family-owned business is one of the pioneers in the industry. The two
Austrian scientists Ingeborg and Erwin Hochmair developed the world?s
first microelectronic-multichannel Cochlear-Implant in 1977. The
cochlear implant was and remains the first replacement of a human
sense, the sense of hearing. In 1990 they laid the foundation for the
successful growth of the company when they hired their first
employees. To date, the company has grown to more than 1500 employees
around the world.

Today MED-EL offers the widest range of implantable solutions
worldwide to treat various degrees of hearing loss: cochlear and
middle ear implant systems, EAS (combined Electric Acoustic
Stimulation) hearing implant system and auditory brainstem implants
as well as the world´s first active bone conduction implant. People
in over 100 countries enjoy the gift of hearing with the help of a
product from MED-EL.

www.medel.com

Press contact
Thomas Herrmann
MED-EL Medical Electronics
Fürstenweg 77a
A - 6020 Innsbruck
T: +43 (0) 577 885-182
E: thomas.herrmann@medel.com
www.medel.com