New Cochlear™ Baha® Control App Lets Hearing Implant Recipients Control Their Sound Processor from Their Smartphone

CENTENNIAL, Colo., Dec. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH), the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, announced today the launch of the Cochlear™ Baha® Control App, Cochlear's first introduction of an app that connects the Baha 4 Sound Processor to the latest smartphone technology. The Baha Control App lets Baha® 4 Sound Processor recipients turn their iPhone® or Android™ smartphone into a cutting-edge remote control with the use of the Cochlear Wireless Phone Clip. By introducing an app of this nature to the world of hearing implants, Cochlear is continuing its commitment to innovation by bringing the most advanced wireless technology to its recipients.

"We now live in a mobile world where consumers are increasingly depending on their smartphones for health information and management," said Chris Smith, President of Cochlear Americas. "The new Cochlear Baha Control App simply meets users where they already are – on their phones – and allows them to adjust their Baha 4 Sound Processor in the palm of their hand. Building on our 30 year legacy of innovation, we are proud to offer a mobile device management app of this kind to our recipients."

Two-thirds of Americans use a smartphone on a daily basis and spend an average of 34 hours per month using mobile apps.¹ As demonstrated by the data, the majority of Americas are already familiar with the ins and outs of smartphone technology, making the Baha Control App a convenient, easy to use tool that can be seamlessly integrated into daily life. Adjusting the sound processor volume and program settings, or balancing background noise and streamed wireless sound, is simply done by clicking or swiping the phone's display.  

How the Baha Control App Works
Using the Cochlear Baha Control App requires: the Cochlear Baha 4 Sound Processor, the Cochlear Wireless Phone Clip and iPhone 6, iPhone 5/5S/5C, iPhone 4/4S, or iPhone 3GS running iOS 7 or later, or Android smartphones running version 2.3.5 or later (not all Android smartphones are compatible). The smartphone connects to the Phone Clip via Bluetooth, and the Phone Clip uses 2.4GHz wireless technology to communicate with the sound processor.

How to Download the Baha Control App
The Cochlear Baha Control App is free to download on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). For more information, visit www.Cochlear.com/US/Wireless.

About the Baha System
Designed to help people with conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss and single-sided deafness, the Baha System utilizes the body's natural ability to conduct sound. By connecting to the bone behind the ear, the Baha System replaces the function of the outer or middle ear and sends sound directly to the healthy inner ear. In people with single-sided deafness, sound is sent through the bone to the hearing ear, bypassing the non-hearing side. A physician must determine if a patient meets the candidacy criteria for the Baha System and deems the solution medically necessary.

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 www.Cochlear.com.

[ 1 ] Nielson.com. "How Smartphones are Changing Consumers' Daily Routines Around the Globe." Available at: http://www.nielsen.com/content/corporate/us/en/insights/news/2014/how-smartphones-are-changing-consumers-daily-routines-around-the-globe.html. Accessed on August 4, 2014.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141201/161763

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130531/LA23942

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-cochlear-baha-control-app-lets-hearing-implant-recipients-control-their-sound-processor-from-their-smartphone-300003173.html

SOURCE Cochlear Limited

Related Links

http://www.Cochlear.com/US