Health Canada Approves MRI Cochlear Implant Technology

Advanced Bionics (AB) announced the Health Canada approval of the HiRes Ultra 3D Cochlear Implant. Built on the HiRes Ultra platform and developed by the company’s R&D team, the new implant is the hassle-free and pain-free choice for recipients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. Even for high-resolution MRI examinations there is no need to remove the magnet assembly and no requirement for head bandaging, meaning no hearing downtime for the patient.
 
Victoria Carr-Brendel, Ph.D., group vice president, Cochlear Implants (CI), Sonova, said, “After many years of research and development, the new magnet technology in our cochlear implants will improve the quality of life for our many recipients due to our hassle free and pain free magnet. We are leading the way and ensuring our recipients have the best possible experiences with our advanced technology. It’s a powerful innovation and makes our efforts so rewarding.”
 
The new magnet assembly design provides alignment with an external magnetic field in any direction. This allows cochlear implant recipients to move freely around in the strong magnetic field of an MRI machine without feeling pain or discomfort, and without restrictions to the orientation of the head.
 
Previously, patients and surgeons have had to contend with the strong magnetic field from MRI machines exerting force on the magnet, causing torque and subsequent pain if the magnet remains in situ, even with head bandaging. It is common to remove the magnet for high resolution MRI examinations, requiring surgery and interrupting the patient’s hearing during the healing process.
 
MRI examinations are already standard of care for health care professionals and with this in mind AB developed a new magnet technology that is compatible with MRI screenings, allowing patients’ peace of mind for any future health issues that necessitate an MRI examination. And with the future in mind the new technology has been designed to undergo heavy usage of MRI procedures without any loss of magnetic strength or mobility of the magnet components.
 
Advanced Bionics develops hearing solutions for individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss who no longer benefit from hearing aids. Founded in 1993 and a subsidiary of the Sonova Group since 2009, AB develops cochlear implant technology that allows recipients to hear their best. AB joined Phonak as part of the Sonova Group of companies and began a collaboration unlike any other in the industry. Since then, the innovation leaders in cochlear implants and hearing aids have continuously combined technologies to deliver new, unequalled hearing solutions.
 
AB offers the most capable cochlear implant system on the market,¹ the HiResolution Bionic Ear System designed to help recipients hear in noisy settings and enjoy the full dimensions of music and tonal languages.^2,3 With sales in more than 50 countries and a track record for developing high-performing products, AB’s worldwide group of technologists and professionals are driven to succeed, work with integrity and stay firmly committed to quality.

References
¹ Technical Specifications. HiRes™ Ultra 3D Cochlear Implant. 2018. 028-M960-03 RevB.
² Adams D, Ajimsha KM, Barberá MT, Gazibegovic D, Gisbert J, Gómez J, Raveh E, Rocca C, Romanet P, Seebens Y, Zarowski A., Multicentre evaluation of music perception in adult users of Advanced Bionics cochlear implants Cochlear Implants Int. 2014 Jan;15(1):20-6. doi: 10.1179/1754762813Y.0000000032. Epub 2013 Nov 25.
³ Chang YT, Yang HM, Lin YH, Liu SH, Wu JL. Tone discrimination and speech perception benefit in Mandarin-speaking children fit with HiRes Fidelity 120 sound processing. Otol Neurotol. 2009 Sep;30(6):750-7. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3181b286b2.