FDA clears Cochlear’s innovative new Osia® 2 hearing implant system

The Osia System is a first-of-its-kind hearing implant system for people with SSD, conductive or mixed hearing loss.

Centennial, Colo. (December 11, 2019) — Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH), the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, announces today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of the new Cochlear^™ Osia^® 2 System. The Osia System is the world’s first active osseointegrated steady-state implant (OSI), a new category of bone conduction hearing solutions that uses digital piezoelectric stimulation to bypass damaged areas of the natural hearing system to send sound vibrations directly to the inner ear (cochlea).

The system features the new Osia OSI200 Implant that attaches to an osseointegrated BI300 Implant to send sound through the bone. The thin profile and monolithic design of the implant help to simplify surgery for the system. On the outside, the new Osia 2 Sound Processor captures sounds and sends both the sound signal and power to the internal implant. The Osia System is available to treat hearing loss associated with an array of conditions including chronic otitis media (COM), otosclerosis and atresia/microtia. In the U.S., it can be used by adults and children 12 years and older with conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss and single-sided sensorineural deafness (SSD). The system delivers high power and gain and has a fitting range up to 55 dB sensorineural hearing level (SNHL).^1,2

The principal innovation of the Osia System lies in the heart of the implant, which contains the Piezo Power™ transducer made of piezoelectric material. The design is completely different than traditional bone conduction transducers, and with no movement between the parts, it is designed to deliver long-term performance and durability when implanted. Driven by a wireless digital link, this transducer expands and contracts to create powerful vibrations that stimulate the inner ear while optimising transfer of power and sound quality.³ Piezoelectricity has been used for years in many products like microphones, high-end speakers and medical equipment, but this is the first time it is being used in this type of hearing implant application. One of the many advantages of the Piezo Power transducer is its ability to amplify high frequencies, the area of sound most important for speech understanding.

“At Cochlear we have been working to develop this technology for quite some time,” said Mats Dotevall, Director of Design and Development and Director of Clinical Affairs at Cochlear Acoustics. “We aimed to leverage Cochlear’s long history of innovation in both the cochlear implant and bone conduction implant spaces to create something entirely new. Rather than implanting a conventional electromagnetic transducer, we chose to work with piezoelectric material because of its unrivalled suitability for this type of implanted application. Lifetime testing shows Piezo Power technology provides powerful and consistent performance over time.”⁴

The Osia System has shown excellent results following a one-year, multicenter clinical investigation on a first-generation device, as well as in limited release in some clinics performing sponsored research around the world. Results of the multicenter clinical investigation show a significant improvement in patients’ ability to hear in both noise and quiet compared to unaided and aided preoperative testing.⁵ The Osia System has also yielded a significant improvement in ratings of patients’ overall health-related quality of life, also when compared to both unaided and aided preoperative testing.⁵

Findings from the full one-year clinical investigation and other data on the Osia System will be presented by the research centers at the upcoming OSSEO 2019 International Congress in Miami Beach, Florida December 11-14, 2019.

“We are thrilled to introduce the new Cochlear Osia System, a first-of-its-kind innovation in implantable hearing solutions,” said Rom Mendel, President of Cochlear Acoustics. “The Osia System was developed through our efforts to listen to the recipients and clinicians who utilize our hearing implants every day. So far, we have been overwhelmed by the positive reception of the Osia System by both clinicians and patients, and it’s been incredible to see the improvement in recipients’ lives as they are able to hear better in the areas where we know they struggle.”

The Osia 2 Sound Processor is slim and sits off the ear, providing discreet, comfortable hearing. It features the advanced signal processing and wireless connectivity technologies available with Cochlear’s leading acoustic implant systems, such as Made for iPhone technology, and it is compatible with Cochlear’s True Wireless™ accessories. The new Osia Smart App lets the user adjust the sound processor easily from a compatible smartphone or Apple Watch^®.* The sound processor comes with five changeable color cover options. Additionally, the Osia 2 Sound Processor is dust and moisture resistant, and with an optional Aqua+ waterproof accessory, recipients can enjoy water activities with sound.**

The Osia 2 System will soon be available in select clinics across the United States as a part of a limited release. Full commercial availability for eligible patients is expected in early 2020. Health Canada approval for the Osia 2 System is expected in early 2020. Availability in other countries is subject to regulatory approvals.

For further information on the Osia System, visit Cochlear.us/Osia.

References

1. Osia System Datasheet. D1618102. Cochlear Limited, Sweden 2019
2. Dotevall M. Technical Report: Available Gain in Osia vs Baha 5 Power. D1664198. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden 2019
3. Sunnerud H. D1575584, Design Verification Report Osia System. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden 2019
4. Goh J. OSI200 Implant Accelerated Life Test Reporter. D1439967. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden 2019
5. ClinicalTrials.gov [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2017 March 22. Identifier NCT03086135. Clinical Performance of a New Implant System for Bone Conduction Hearing; 2019 January 31 [cited 2019 June 20]; [4 screens]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03086135

* For information on sound processor and app compatibility, visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility.

** The Osia 2 Sound Processor is IP57 rated with battery compartment excluded. The Osia 2 Sound Processor with Aqua+ is water resistant to level IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529 when used with LR44 alkaline or nickel metal hydride disposable batteries. Refer to the relevant User Guide for more information. The Osia 2 Aqua+ may not be available in all markets and is subject to regulatory approval and product availability.

Apple Watch and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

• BONE CONDUCTION IMPLANTS

Cara Lippitt

Cara Lippitt is the Public Relations and Marketing Manager at Cochlear Americas. She is responsible for consumer marketing social media and blog content. Cara is inspired by the stories of the recipients that she is able to tell and the incredible journeys they have taken. Cara was born and raised in Colorado and adores the mountains, snow and the world of musical theatre.