[Advanced Bionics] – Valencia biotech firm Advanced Bionics said Friday it has received clearance from the European certification service TÜV Rheinland to distribute the world’s first and only swimmable, waterproof hearing aid in Europe.

With approval already in hand from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Advanced Bionics is now free to market its Neptune sound processor worldwide.

Fully intended for swimming and bathing, Neptune is designed to help cochlear implant recipients hear both in and out of the water. Recipients using other products on the market must remove their processor when they swim or bathe, which means they miss out on important safety instructions and opportunities for language development because they are not hearing during those times. Developed for all weather, terrain, ages and lifestyles, Neptune allows recipients to enjoy an abundance of water and sports activities thanks to its durable, waterproof design. Parents of pediatric recipients will appreciate the bonding and learning that comes with hearing during bath time, as well as the safety of hearing in the pool.

Advanced Bionics' Neptune sound processor is intended for bathing and swimming.

Designed after the chic styling of popular consumer electronics, the lightweight Neptune processor also features the industry’s first freestyle design, allowing recipients to hear the world of sound with the comfort and beauty of nothing on the ear. As a testament to the polished styling, the Industrial Designers Society of America recently honored Neptune with a Silver Shaggie award in recognition of excellence in product design.

Neptune’s freestyle wearing category is new for the cochlear implant industry, giving recipients the ability to choose their wearing style. With the variety of convenient accessories, recipients can wear the Neptune processor anywhere and way they choose, such as in the hair, on an arm, under a collar, in a pocket–a high level of flexibility not available in the market until now. Neptune also comes in a wide range of fashion-forward colors for matching it to wardrobes or showing it off. And for those who prefer a more discreet look, it can also be easily tucked away. Parents will appreciate the many features included to ensure that Neptune is the perfect choice for small children, including removable controls that make it tamper-proof so that children can always hear their best.

Advanced Bionics was able to develop these industry firsts without compromising hearing performance. Neptune is fully compatible with the most advanced hearing technology, including ClearVoice, HiRes Fidelity 120 and AutoSound, which are only available from AB. (ClearVoice is pending regulatory approval in the United States. HiRes Fidelity 120 is not approved for pediatric use in the United States.)

These sophisticated sound processing strategies are designed to deliver the best hearing performance in real-world environments where recipients would otherwise struggle, such as busy offices, loud playgrounds, music recitals and crowded restaurants.

Neptune garnered an enthusiastic response from the cochlear implant professional community when it was announced at this year’s European Symposium on Pediatric Cochlear Implantation (ESPCI) in Athens, Greece and the 13th Symposium on Cochlear Implants in Children that took place in Chicago, IL, USA.

About Advanced Bionics

Headquartered on Westinghouse Place in the Valencia Industrial Center, Advanced Bionics is a global leader in developing the most advanced cochlear implant systems in the world. Founded in 1993 and acquired by Swiss hearing aid maker Sonova Group in 2009, AB develops cutting-edge cochlear implant technology that allows recipients to hear their best.
AB offers the most sophisticated cochlear implant system on the market, the HiResolution Bionic Ear System, with five times more sound resolution than its competitors, designed to help recipients hear in noisy settings and enjoy the full dimensions of music.

With sales in over 50 countries and a proven track record for developing high-performing, state-of-the-art products, AB’s talented group of technologists and professionals from all over the world are driven to succeed, work with integrity and stay firmly committed to quality.  To learn more about AB and its innovative cochlear implant technology, visit www.advancedbionics.com.