June 23, 2016 – Oticon Medical today previewed the new Ponto SuperPower, the first abutment-level sound processor with a fitting range down to 65 dB HL (BC). Oticon Medical developed the innovative SuperPower processor with the goal of enabling adults and children with higher degrees of mixed hearing loss to benefit from a discreet sound processor that connects directly to the abutment for Direct Sound Transmission. The newest addition to the Ponto family of bone anchored solutions is CE marked and currently pending FDA clearance. Commercial availability is expected by year end 2016.
Single-unit processor connects directly to abutment for Direct Sound Transmission
Oticon Medical developed the innovative SuperPower processor with the goal of enabling adults and children with higher degrees of mixed hearing loss to benefit from a discreet sound processor that connects directly to the abutment for Direct Sound Transmission.
| “The Ponto SuperPower is the first abutment-level SuperPower device in the bone anchored hearing implant market,” says Jes Olsen, President of Oticon Medical. “It is also a beautiful SuperPower version, the first that requires no strings or bulky ear- or body-worn devices.” The discreet single-unit processor connects directly to the abutment to secure the Direct Sound Transmission found in traditional Ponto processors.”
The new Ponto SuperPower is based on a new Inium Sense platform and UltraDrive technology that boosts the drive signal to the vibrator and a highly advanced feedback management technology that supplies high levels of amplification while minimizing the risk of feedback. |
Oticon Medical called upon the company’s core competences in electronic design and transducer technology to incorporate UltraDrive into the new SuperPower processor without compromising reliability or sound quality. Until now, the UltraDrive technology has never been used in bone conduction devices.
More patients than ever can benefit
“We aim high when it comes to providing better hearing outcomes for bone anchored hearing users,” adds Olsen. “By extending the fitting range to 65 dB HL, more patients than ever can benefit from the high quality sound that is a hallmark of Oticon Medical Ponto processors. Direct Sound Transmission enables Ponto SuperPower to deliver maximum output in the mid to high frequencies that are so important for speech understanding for all users and especially for language development in children1. With the launch of the Ponto SuperPower, we continue our commitment to bring new
innovative and proven technology to the market to overcome the many challenges that people with severe mixed hearing losses face.”
Expected by end of the year
This newest addition to the Ponto family of bone anchored solutions is currently pending FDA clearance and CE mark. Commercial availability is expected by year end 2016.
The Ponto SuperPower requires FDA clearance for commercial distribution in the U.S. At this time, the Ponto SuperPower is not available in the U.S.
References:
1. Pittman (2008) Short-term word-learning rate in children with normal hearing and children with hearing loss in limited and extended high-frequency bandwidths. Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research. Vol 5; 785-797
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