MED-EL Introduces MAESTRO(tm) for Legacy Patients

May 2009

Editor: The folks at MEDEL have made their latest software available to users of earlier systems, thus ensuring that these folks can take advantage of the many advantages of this newer software. Here's their press release.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The MED-EL Corporation announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved MAESTRO System Software Version 3.0 for the OPUS 1 and 2 processor. The new version, which is now available, allows COMBI 40+ implant users to access the revolutionary OPUS 1 and 2 processors launched by MED-EL last year. The OPUS processor family features FineHearing(tm), the most advanced sound processing technology currently available. This extraordinary technology is able to process the fine structure detail of sounds, which can lead to improved music appreciation and better understanding of speech in noisy environments. The MED-EL COMBI 40+ implant model was used from 1998-2005 in the USA, and was replaced by the PULSARCI100 and SONATATI100 implant models. There are several thousand COMBI 40+ users in the U.S. who will now be able to access the latest sound coding technology through FineHearing.

MAESTRO 3.0 also includes new features and enhancements for the PULSARCI100 and SONATATI100 implants as well. These newer MED-EL cochlear implants support proprietary Auditory Nerve Response Telemetry (ART(tm)), which provides clinicians with precise information on the physiological response of the auditory nerve to stimulation by the cochlear implant. In addition, MAESTRO 3.0 allows audiologists to practice without hardware using the new training mode, including the choice of simulating perfect or imperfect telemetry and ART results.

MAESTRO 3.0 is also compatible with Windows Vista. The new version includes several enhancements to the ART system, including faster measures with new electrode profiles and a pre-check of patient loudness tolerance using the new ART Loudness Comfort Tool. MAESTRO 3.0 also displays ART results on the fitting screen, supporting smoother integration between tasks.

Other new product features include:
* Easy program conversion between the OPUS 1 and OPUS 2
* The addition of an Electrical Stapedius Reflex Test (ESRT) task, with results shown on the fitting screen. ESRT is useful in determining fitting levels for very young children who are unable to provide important feedback about their listening experience.
* Adjustable compliance limit for more fitting flexibility
* The ability to import and convert TEMPO+ fitting maps and apply electrode interpolation during fitting, both methods to decrease the time required for clinic visits
* Faster software use with keyboard hotkeys

"In less than 12 months we were able to make the latest technology available to all of MED-EL's users in the U.S., even those implanted a decade ago," said Dick Collette, President and CEO of MED-EL North America. "This is a great example of MED-EL's commitment to our legacy patients. In most technology applications, this level of backward-compatibility is unheard of."