ReSound’s Water-Resistant “iSolate Nanotech” Coating Is On Cutting Edge Of A Revolution In Hearing Aid Materials

ReSound’s announcement that its iSolate Nantotech protective coating has reduced moisture-related repairs to its hearing aids by 50 percent since its introduction six months ago is the latest example of a quiet revolution in modern materials that is transforming the hearing aid industry.

As the spotlight has been shining on new sound processing systems and other software-driven bells and whistles that have improved digital hearing aids enormously in the past two years, the leading manufacturers have also been experimenting with nanotech-based materials, water-resistant coatings, and ceramic housings that have made hearing aids more comfortable, more durable, and far less likely to require repairs. In an industry historically marked by unusually high product return rates and high numbers of customers who stop wearing their hearing aids shortly after buying them, this revolution in materials is driving higher levels of customer satisfaction with more comfortable and reliable products.

ReSound’s iSolate nanotech coating, now used in all of ReSound’s hearing aids, establishes a thin protective layer that bonds at the molecular level with the internal and external components of the hearing aid, shielding them without affecting their performance. The application process, which is done in a vacuum chamber, ensures global coating of all components inside and out. Liquids or moisture coming into contact with the hearing aids simply roll off without being absorbed.

Because moisture related failure is one of the main causes of hearing-aid returns, the innovation has had a dramatic impact on product reliability. ReSound said that in a review of 50,000 hearing aids sold in the first six months since its introduction, it found that the iSolate nanotech protective coating decreased moisture and debris related repairs by 50 percent.

ReSound’s innovation is only the latest in a series of new materials and manufacturing processes announced by industry leaders.

• Starkey Laboratories’ Advanced HydraShield moisture protection system “integrates nano-coating, unibody construction and smart component placement,” which the company claims “provides 100 percent resistance to water, humidity, perspiration and corrosion, both inside and out.”
• Phonak’s “high-tech ceramic housings” are more attractive and comfortable because they are scratch resistant, they adapt to body temperature more quickly and help prevent perspiration in or behind the ear, they are hypo-allergenic, and they are shock-resistant.
• Oticon says its new super-power Chili hearing aid’s “unique shock absorbing receiver mounting prevents it from breaking should the instrument be dropped or fall off the ear,” while a “full body nano-coating” and internal seal protect the electronic parts from water, moisture, and dirt.
• And Cochlear Ltd says its Nucleus 5 cochlear implant, made with high-tech materials including water-resistant batteries, can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes without failing.

And we can expect to see more announcements like these–although ReSound is the first manufacturer I know of who has actually documented the benefits of new materials by tracking a reduction in repair rates–because reliability is a critical factor in the success of any new in-ear or behind-the-ear product. Any audiologist or hearing aid designer can tell you that the inner ear is one of the most hostile places on the planet for miniature, high-performance, digital electronic devices. It’s wet, humid, and full of potential infectious agents. And because the devices themselves are so tiny, they are far too easy for large human fingers (especially for those of us who are “all thumbs”), to drop on the floor and otherwise abuse. Therefore the space-age materials that are making today’s hearing aids more durable and comfortable than ever before may be as important to their acceptance by more users as their ability to provide high-quality amplified sound.

Cochlear Ltd. Sales Increase Points To Growing Global Demand For Cochlear Implants, Including Bilateral Sets

Cochlear Ltd. reported a 16 percent increase in profits for the first half of its fiscal year on a 20 percent increase in unit sales of its cochlear implants, pointing to a strong recovery from the recession as well as a growing number of patients opting for a second implant to get bilateral hearing from both ears.

Cochlear CEO Chris Roberts told The Wall Street Journal that strong growth in sales in developing markets where cochlear implants have only recently been introduced indicated acceptance of the implant technology to restore hearing has gone global, providing a positive outlook for long-term growth of Cochlear and the implant industry. He added that in North America and Europe where cochlear implants are well established, there is growing demand for bilateral implants providing stereo sound from restored hearing in both ears. Currently, fewer than 10 percent of patients have a second implant, providing another opportunity for strong growth in the industry.

Roberts also downplayed the market impact of the recent recall by Sonova Group of its Advanced Bionics (AB) subsidiary’s Hi-Res 90K cochlear implants due to a product malfunction. He told BusinessWeek that cochlear implant patients are slow to switch brands and that financial analysts overestimated the positive impact the recall may have had on Cochlear Ltd.’s sales. Sonova CEO Valentin Chapero Rueda last week indicated AB’s cochlear implants could be back on the market by April. There are only three global suppliers of cochlear implants: Cochlear Ltd. is the global leader, Advanced Bionics is the second largest player in the market, and Med-El of Austria is third.

Sonova CEO Says Recall Of Advanced Bionics Hi-Res 90K Cochlear Implant Might Be Over By April

Bloomberg News confirmed that Sonova Holding AG is working feverishly to fix the problems that spurred a global recall of the Advanced Bionics (AB)Hi-Res 90K cochlear implant and hopes to end the recall as early as April or at the latest by the autumn of this year.

Sonova CEO Valentin Chapero Rueda earlier this week indicated in an interview with the Swiss newspaper Handelszeitung that the AB cochlear implants could be back on the market by April, but a Sonova spokesperson clarified the projection in the subsequent Bloomberg story, saying “There’s also a likelihood it could be autumn. Nothing’s final.” Read more

Will Safety Concerns Slow The Growth Of The Cochlear Implant Industry In The Year Ahead?

Just when the cochlear implant industry seemed to be on a roll, the recent announcement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that Advanced Bionics (AB) is voluntarily recalling its HiRes 90K cochlear implant device raises safety concerns many thought had been put to rest long ago. AB has shared little additional information about the status of the recall since its November news release, in which it described the problem in concise but graphic detail:

“This action is being taken in response to two confirmed instances where the product experienced a malfunction requiring explantation. These recipients experienced severe pain, overly loud sounds and/or shocking sensations at 8-10 days after initial activation of their device….This voluntary action is being taken to ensure continued patient safety and product quality. The risk of any significant adverse medical events appears to be remote at present.”

There was immediate speculation that the recall might slow the growth of the cochlear implant market and/or pose a serious financial challenge to AB parent Sonova Holding AG, which acquired the California company in 2009. But while Sonova shares tumbled right after the Nov. 23 announcement, they are still trading well above their low for the year set earlier that month. Read more

Race To Acquire Siemens Hearing Aids Heats Up As Cochlear Ltd. And Synthes Join Fray

Reuters quotes sources saying Cochlear Ltd., one of three global suppliers of cochlear implant devices as well as a leader in bone-anchored hearing aids, intends to join two private equity firms in making a multi-billion dollar bid for Siemens Hearing Instruments, which is being spun off by its parent company. The report also says Synthes, a global medical equipment manufacturer, also will join the bidding.

This is a huge story for the hearing aid industry, which is going through a wave of consolidation as the leading global players try to simultaneously gain market share by broadening their distribution at the low end of the market while building war chests for a new generation of R&D-led innovation at the high end of the market. Putting the very high end digital technologies required for cochlear implants under the same roof as mainstream digital hearing aids will give a shot of much-needed energy into high-end hearing-aid innovation. Read more