First.Only.Best
Quality produced in Austria
USP Englischmate.salacz@medel.com2025-09-25T09:21:22+02:00
First.Only.Best
Quality produced in Austria
More than 10 different types of electrode arrays
MED-EL offers the most comprehensive & individualized selection of electrode arrays for natural hearing
Even if it’s not visible from the outside, every human being has a cochlea of a different size. The cochlea is already fully developed at birth and does not grow further during the course of life. To obtain the best hearing outcomes with a cochlear implant, complete cochlear coverage is required. Only then is it possible to hear all sounds as naturally as possible after receiving a cochlear implant.
MED-EL cochlear implants are available in more than 10 different electrode array configurations and, thus, allow for precise adjustment tailored to the recipient’s individual anatomy.
Complete Cochlear Coverage
For a perfect & comprehensive sound experience
Whether a sound is perceived as low-pitched and muffled or high-pitched and shrill depends on our hearing organ, the cochlea. High-pitched sounds are processed in the outer part of the cochlea, whereas low-pitched sounds are processed in its inner part. To be able to also hear low-pitched sounds and, thus, to experience sounds as naturally as possible with a cochlear implant, the electrodes need to cover the entire cochlea.
This is of particular importance if the cochlear implant users have good hearing on the contralateral ear or if the other ear is fitted with a hearing aid. Only then can both ears work together in the best possible way.
Preservation of cochlear structure
To protect the vessels and the spiral ganglion cells
The cochlea comprises very important structures, such as the scala tympani, the cochlear duct, the scala vestibuli, and tens of thousands of tiny nerve cells. The basilar membrane is located between the cochlear duct and the scala tympani. It is only a few cells thick and helps balance the pressure between the different scalae. The basilar membrane contains all the nerve cells that absorb sound information and transmit it to the brain.
But why is preserving this structure so important? Imagine the cochlea is a guitar – then the basilar membrane would represent the strings of the guitar. Any damage to the basilar membrane is like a string that snaps: Once it is broken, it will never vibrate the same way again. Such damage can also affect the nerve cells—sometimes to the extent that the ability to hear remains irrecoverably impaired even after receiving a cochlear implant.
It is, therefore, clearly necessary to do everything possible to keep the basilar membrane intact. But how can that be achieved? Two factors play a key role here: the first is surgical skills and expertise and the second is the design of the electrode array. For this reason, MED-EL’s electrode arrays are outstandingly soft and flexible. Thanks to a special design with wave-shaped wires, insertion force can be reduced by 30% (compared to straight wires). Moreover, FLEX-Tip Technology means each array features a tapered, rounded tip designed to gently glide along the scala tympani during insertion, avoiding damage to the basilar membrane and delicate structures.
*MED-EL’s FLEX electrodes are the only electrodes approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that can preserve residual hearing in the low-frequency range.
*The FDA approval was granted in November 2024.
OTOPLAN
Planning software for precise cochlear measurement of the cochlea to ensure optimal surgical preparation
Each patient has unique anatomy – this refers to both the shape and size of the cochlea. OTOPLAN makes it possible to visualize the anatomical structures of each patient before surgery, measure the length of the cochlea and, based on that, select the optimal electrode array.
The OTOPLAN software has the potential to revolutionize cochlear implant surgery and enable surgeons to provide more personalized care in hearing implant treatment.
The new OTOPLAN version offers:
- X-ray-based postoperative analysis for anatomy-based fitting
- Automatic 3-D reconstruction of the scala tympani and scala vestibuli
- Virtual 3-D electrode array insertion into the scala tympani, including comprehensive measurement data
- Postoperative visualization of the scala tympani insertion using image fusion
- Improved data management and much more
OTODRIVE & OTOARM
Microsurgical precision to ensure optimal outcomes
Surgical precision at the highest level: OTODRIVE enables the most atraumatic electrode array insertion according to the latest state of the art, using slow and continuous movements of between 0.1 and 1.0mm per second. The slim design offers an unlimited view of the surgical field and the insertion process. Thanks to the intuitive foot control, the surgeon always maintains full control over the procedure.
MRI guarantee
Pain-free MRI scans thanks to freely rotating implant magnet
The MED-EL SYNCHRONY cochlear implants are designed to allow safe MRI scans up to 3.0 Tesla* without the need for magnet removal. Thus, additional surgical interventions and interruptions in hearing can be avoided.
This can be achieved through a pioneering and unique design in which the magnet inside the implant can freely rotate and align itself to avoid interactions with the magnetic field of the MRI. MED-EL is the first and only manufacturer that offers a worldwide life-long MRI guarantee for their hearing implants.
Backwards compatibility
Always combine the implant with the state-of-the-art audio processors
When developing new audio processors, MED-EL places great importance on ensuring that they are backward compatible, allowing users with older implant types to benefit as well. This gives MED-EL users the reassuring feeling of being able to rely on optimal hearing for life.
Safety capacitors
Optimum solution for life-long elimination of tissue-damaging direct current
Direct current is used, for instance, to charge mobile phones or power electric motors. However, prolonged exposure can damage human tissue. To eliminate such effect of direct currents over the entire lifetime of a MED-EL implant system and thus effectively keep them away from the tissue, all electrode channels are individually equipped with small electric components called safety capacitors.
Integrated reference electrode
Optimum protection right on the implant housing
MED-EL is deeply committed to producing the most reliable implants. Just as one tries to eliminate potential sources of error in their own projects from the outset, MED-EL succeeded around 20 years ago in eliminating the separate cable for the reference electrode, which is the negative pole of the electrical circuit.
Placing the reference electrode right on the implant housing allows for better stabilization and protection of the stimulation electrode thanks to the broader electrode lead-out. This is one of the reasons why MED-EL cochlear implants are the most reliable ones on the market.
Quality, safety & reliability
Hearing implants with maximum reliability
Since the decision to get a cochlear implant is a decision for life, MED-EL has prioritized quality, reliability, and safety in the development of hearing implants from the very beginning.
All MED-EL titanium implants of the latest generation have a cumulative survival rate of more than 99%. This has only been achieved by MED-EL in the cochlear implant industry. This unparalleled level of reliability is no coincidence. It is the result of meticulous inspections and analyses and of the thorough craftmanship of the specialists working at the company’s state-of-the-art production facility.
Unlike other cochlear implant manufacturers, MED-EL does not outsource production overseas but has manufactured every single implant at its headquarters in Austria for more than 30 years. This ensures that all products meet the highest European quality requirements and technical standards.
Thanks to optimized procedures, high-class materials, and strict quality control, MED-EL cochlear implants meet the highest standards in quality, safety, and reliability. Our reliability data confirms this in an impressive way.
Anatomy-based fitting
Using knowledge of the exact electrode contact position for fine-tuning
With anatomy-based fitting, the audiologist can fine-tune the stimulation frequencies of individual electrodes based on their actual position within the cochlea.
This helps create a hearing experience that is closest to natural hearing. The result? The brain can adapt more easily to the new hearing input, and improvements in speech perception and music appreciation can be expected.
FineHearing
Closest to natural hearing with the fine hearing sound coding strategy
The combination of accurate local and temporal coding is essential for achieving closest to natural pitch perception. Therefore, FineHearing – MED-EL’s unique rate-specific sound coding strategy – was developed.
FineHearing is the only sound coding strategy for cochlear implants that adjusts the stimulation rate of the electrode contacts in the second cochlear turn to match the frequency. This helps MED-EL cochlear implants replicate natural hearing as closely as possible.
Bimodal fitting
Inidividualized hearing implant fitting to match the delay time of a hearing aid in bimodal users
Hearing aids generally have more delay in sound processing than cochlear implants. In bimodal users, this discrepancy may negatively impact interaural time differences and may impair sound localization.
To counteract this and to harmonize the differing delays between the hearing aid and the cochlear implant, MED-EL’s latest generation cochlear implant systems feature a unique function called bimodal synchronization. It allows the audio processor to be adjusted to match the signal delay of the hearing aid on the contralateral ear. As a result, both sides are processed simultaneously in the brain’s auditory system, creating a symbiotic perception. This adjustment is compatible with all hearing aids available on the market, giving users complete freedom of choice when selecting a hearing aid.
Music perception
Adjustment of the frequency bands based on individual sound perception
Thanks to complete cochlear coverage, users gain access to all frequencies perceivable by the human ear. Different electrode contacts are responsible for different frequency ranges.
By synchronizing all sounds from musical instruments or single tones presented via loudspeakers that are perceived via the individual electrode contacts, it is possible to individually adjust the frequency bands and, thus, pitch perception.
HearCare
Remote fitting and functionality check via app: Best care – Anytime. Anywhere.
If users live far away from the clinic or find it inconvenient to take time off from work or school, then fitting via the HearCare App is the ideal solution. Users can connect to a clinic via the app and conveniently download the latest audio configuration for their audio processor from home. They can decide for themselves when to install the new configuration.
Additionally, users can switch back from a new configuration to a previous one if needed.
And if the audio processor needs to be replaced, the configuration can be transferred to the new audio processor at any time, allowing users to continue hearing with their familiar settings as quickly as possible.
Rehabilitation material
Optimum benefit from the new hearing with comprehensive training material
Hearing with a cochlear implant needs to be learnt, and particularly, be trained in the early stages. That’s why rehabilitation is essential. MED-EL offers a wide range of rehabilitation material for all age groups to help users reach their hearing goals –whether they are hearing for the first time, training their musical skills, or trying to improve sound localization.
Additionally, MED-EL offers material for professionals who work with adult and adolescent cochlear implant users.
Service centre & service partner
Nationwide hearing system service close to the users
Besides the ZENTRUM HÖREN service centre in Vienna, MED-EL users have access to local contacts across the country through MED-EL service partners for all questions and requests related to MED-EL hearing systems.
This ensures that users receive personalized support and advice close to home.
Dustproof and waterproof
Audio processors that can handle wind, storm, and water
MED-EL’s latest audio processor generation is certified with the IF68 protection class, making them completely dustproof and waterproof. Better protection can also mean more freedom. Users can do whatever they feel like. The latest audio processors are perfectly suited for activities like jogging in the rain or going for a swim.
Broadest portfolio of hearing solutions
The world of hearing: The perfect solution to almost any type of hearing loss
MED-EL offers the largest range of implantable and non-implantable solutions for the treatment of all types of hearing loss. The hearing solutions offered by MED-EL comprise cochlear and middle ear implants, an electric-acoustic stimulation system, auditory brainstem implants, both implantable and non-implantable bone conduction devices, and passive middle ear prostheses.
HEARO – The world’s first robotic system for cochlear implantation
Robot-assisted surgical system for highly precise minimally invasive implantation of MED-EL cochlear implants
Cochlear implantation is one of the most complex micro-surgical interventions. The HEARO robotic system enables the surgeon to access the middle ear cavity in a minimally invasive, highly precise, and very narrow way. Drilling the extremely narrow tunnel between the nervus facialis (mimic facial nerve) and the chorda tympani (a branch of the facial nerve) requires precision within a range of a tenth of a millimetre.
Creating a tiny channel from the surface of the skull to the round window of the cochlea, through which the implant is inserted, reduces trauma for the patient and enables stable surgical outcomes.
HEARO will neither replace the surgeon nor the surgical team: The robot must be controlled and guided by the surgical team, along with the CT scanner and the surgical planning software OTOPLAN.