Advanced Bionics Launches ClearVoice in Europe, Asia and Canada

February 2010

Editor: Advanced Bionics' latest cochlear implant strategy, called ClearVoice, is being launched in Europe, Asia and Canada. Reports are that this strategy offers significantly better speech discrimination over previous strategies. Here's the press release.

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Advanced Bionics (AB), the only U.S.-based manufacturer of cochlear implants (or "bionic ears"), recently announced the approval and subsequent launch of ClearVoice in Europe, Asia and Canada. Exhibiting at the Middle East Update in Otolaryngology Exhibition & Conference 2010, in Dubai, Advance Bionics is now launching their latest product in the Middle East.

Crafted by IIR Middle East Life Sciences Division, the seventh edition of the Middle East Update in Otolaryngology Exhibition & Conference - Head and Neck Surgery continues with its second day at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event will continue on February 16, 2010. The exhibition demonstrates the latest technologies and product launches from manufacturers and distributors wishing to meet an influential body of senior otolaryngologists. As well as AB's cochlear implants, other products such as hearing aids, laser machines, microsurgical instruments and sleep apnea devices will be on display.

ClearVoice is a revolutionary sound-processing strategy for high-performance hearing built on AB's proprietary HiRes Fidelity 120 technology. ClearVoice has been designed to automatically analyse and adapt to each listening situation that recipients encounter throughout the day, separating the distracting noises from speech so that communication is easier. The technology was developed to help recipients communicate confidently in a variety of challenging listening situations, including restaurants, cars, and classrooms-without ever needing to change a program or make an adjustment to their sound processor.

"ClearVoice is another leap closer to normal hearing," said Jeffrey H. Greiner, CEO of Advanced Bionics. "We're excited to bring this breakthrough in hearing technology to our recipients across Europe, Asia and Canada as well as the Middle East. Otolaryngology 2010 is the perfect platform to launch our technology in the region.

"The original implant, the Harmony HiResolution Bionic Ear System (Harmony) is designed to provide recipients with important benefits including improved speech clarity, greater ease of listening and diminished stress and fatigue. While most cochlear implants on the market were designed to perform best in quiet, clinic-like conditions, Harmony is designed to help recipients hear well in everyday settings like busy offices, noisy classrooms and bustling restaurants. Now with the addition of ClearVoice to Harmony's high-resolution sound, AB has once again engineered a breakthrough in sound processing that enables recipients to hear their best."

Grace Lautner of Alberta, Canada, an AB recipient who was implanted at age 57, is now using the new ClearVoice sound-processing strategy.

"ClearVoice has impacted my relationships with family, friends and colleagues by helping me hear better without having to ask them to repeat everything they say, especially in noisy environments."