Cochlear Receives FDA Approval of the Aqua+ Accessory - the Cochlear™ Nucleus® System is Now the World's Most Waterproof Cochlear Implant System(1)

CENTENNIAL, Colo., April 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH), the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Aqua+ accessory, the only waterproof behind-the-ear solution for cochlear implant recipients on the market today. The Aqua+ is a form-fitting, easy-to-use, versatile accessory that allows Cochlear™ Nucleus® 5 and Nucleus 6 Implant recipients² to swim underwater for up to two hours. 

The new Aqua+ gives recipients the ability to swim while wearing their sound processor behind the ear. Its flexible, watertight sleeve simply fits over their sound processor behind the ear, so they don't have to find other places to secure their sound processor, like a swimsuit. A specially-designed waterproof coil then connects to the sound processor within the sleeve.

"With the approval of the Aqua+ accessory, recipients can have the confidence that they have the world's most waterproof cochlear implant system on the market, while benefitting from the sleek, form-fitting, behind-the-ear design that truly makes it one-of-a-kind," said Chris Smith, President of Cochlear Americas. "The Aqua+ will undeniably change the way our cochlear implant recipients interact with water going forward by allowing them to swim in and under water while wearing their sound processor."

While the Nucleus 5 and Nucleus 6 Sound Processors already have a high water resistance rating, the Aqua+ provides added confidence with its IP68 water resistance rating.¹ It is safe to use in all types of water including chlorinated pools, fresh water lakes and rivers, saltwater oceans and pools, and soapy water. Additionally, the Aqua+ is a reusable solution allowing recipients to use the form-fitting sleeve numerous times without having to replace it.³

The Aqua+ Kit, which consists of all the necessary parts that recipients will need, can be ordered from the Cochlear Americas store beginning May 2, 2014. All Nucleus 5 and Nucleus 6 Cochlear Implant recipients in the United States and Canada are eligible to order the Aqua+. For more information, visit www.cochlear.com/us/pronews.

About Cochlear Implants

Cochlear implants are a proven medical option for infants as young as 12 months old with profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears, children aged two and older with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears, and adults with moderate-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. They are electronic devices, which bypass damaged hair cells in the inner ear, or cochlea, and stimulate the hearing nerve directly.

About Cochlear
Cochlear is the global leader in implantable hearing solutions. It has a dedicated global team of more than 2,700 people who deliver the gift of sound to those with hearing loss in over 100 countries. Its vision is to connect people, young and old, to a world of sound by offering life enhancing hearing solutions.

The Cochlear promise of "Hear now. And always" embodies the company's commitment to providing its recipients with their best possible hearing performance today and for the rest of their lives. For over 30 years Cochlear has helped hundreds of thousands of people either hear for the first time or reconnect them to their families, friends, workplaces and communities.

For more information, visit Cochlear.com.

References
[ 1 ] The Nucleus 5 and Nucleus 6 Sound Processor with the Aqua+ is water resistant to level IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529. This water protection rating means that the sound processor with the Aqua+ can be continuously submerged under water to a depth of 3 meters for up to 2 hours.
[ 2 ] The Aqua+ can be used with a Nucleus 5 or Nucleus 6 Sound Processor with rechargeable batteries only. Not compatible with the acoustic component.
[ 3 ] Testing shows Aqua+ can be re-used up to 50 times, but this may vary depending on your particular use of it. 

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SOURCE Cochlear