There are FOUR Cochlear Implant manufacturers in the UK. These are Advanced Bionics, Cochlear, MED-EL and Oticon Medical. Each company offers a selection of implants and processors.
About ADVANCED BIONICS
At Advanced Bionics, we believe everyone can live without the limitations of hearing loss.
For 30 years, we’ve been developing leading hearing innovations that help people hear again, or for the first time. Our partnership with Phonak allows us to provide even more leading-edge hearing solutions through our integration with the world’s most advanced and trusted power hearing aids.
Advanced Bionics provides a comprehensive range of products designed to meet your needs and your lifestyle. Our cochlear implant system offers more ways to hear than any other CI. And every aspect of our CI has been optimised for clarity, comfort, ease of use, and reliability—allowing you to hear your best.
If you are an Advanced Bionics cochlear implant wearer or are considering cochlear implants for yourself or a loved one, you will find one-to-one support from AB.
For more information:
info.uk@advancedbionics.com
www.advancedbionics.com or book a one-to-one appointment www.AdvancedBionics.com/CWS121
Advanced Bionics Technology
HiRes™ Ultra 3D Cochlear Implant
Designed for optimal hearing experience and hassle free MRI
Sophisticated yet incredibly strong, the award-winning HiRes™ Ultra 3D cochlear implant delivers the proven benefits of clearer speech1 and a broader range of sound2. It is designed to exceed industry standards for impact resistance3, allowing you to enjoy life’s adventures without hesitation. With the HiRes Ultra 3D implant you can enjoy hassle free and pain free MRI examinations, with uninterrupted hearing.
*The HiRes Ultra 3D Cochlear Implant has been awarded the Medtech Breakthrough Award 2019 for Best Medical Device Solution.
HiFocus™ Mid-Scala Electrode
Designed for optimal cochlear placement
The industry’s latest innovation in electrode design. Developed through extensive research and using state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, the HiFocus Mid-Scala electrode has been designed for optimal placement in the cochlea to protect its delicate structures and preserve any residual hearing.
Naída™ CI M Sound Processor 
Designed with you in mind
Naída CI M is a part of an innovative, advanced cochlear implant system that delivers a brilliant hearing experience. Naída CI M offers a wide variety of features designed to improve hearing across all listening situations using AutoSense OS™ 3.0 operating system and direct streaming from a multitude of devices. Rest assured—every aspect of the system is designed to be seamlessly operated, providing you the ultimate ease of use.
For unique environments such as the swimming pool, noisy restaurants, or meetings, there are a variety of accessories designed to help you hear your best and be at the centre of the conversation.
For individuals with some hearing in one ear, wearing the right hearing aid helps them to hear even better than with a CI alone. Wearing a Naída Link M together with Naída CI M gives you a consistent sound impression between ears, and allows you to adjust both devices with a single control.
More information
Sky CI™ M Sound Processor 
Designed with children in mind
Sky CI M is part of an innovative, advanced cochlear implant system that delivers a brilliant hearing experience for your child. Sky CI M offers a wide variety of accessories that you and your child can use for specific needs—from listening in the classroom to laughing when swimming and beyond. With so many features available, rest assured that every aspect of the system is designed to operate seamlessly, providing the ultimate in ease of use.
Our waterproof battery delivers the same performance even during the most rugged childhood activities—all while providing secure, worry-free wearing. Advanced Bionics was the first to offer waterproof microphones and headpieces. Our Slim HP AquaMic™ headpiece maintains a great hearing experience for your child while they play in the pool with their friends.
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Advanced Bionics Support
AB Community Mentors
Here to support you on your hearing journey
There really is nothing like talking to someone who knows what life with a cochlear implant is like. Through AB Community Mentors, you can directly connect with an AB cochlear implant wearer, parent or family member who can assist you in navigating the process of choosing and living with cochlear implants. If you’d like to connect with your local AB Community Mentor email hear-uk@AdvancedBionics.com You can also connect with an AB community mentor on the HearingJourney™ online forum.
Ongoing Education and Rehabilitation
Maximise your hearing potential
Advanced Bionics recognises that this is a life-long journey—one on which we’ll accompany you every step of the way. HearingSuccess resources can help you identify your hearing needs, set goals, and get support. Stay up to date on the latest developments in technology by utilising powerful tools and resources that can assist with your HearingSuccess. Learn more
Communicate with Success Events
Join us at an upcoming event or book a virtual one-to-one appointment
Are you considering cochlear implants for yourself or loved one? Or do you already have an Advanced Bionics cochlear implant? Join us at a Communicate with Success event and learn more about AB technology and support. Visit www.AdvancedBionics.com/uk-events for the latest events. Your AB team is also available for one-to-one support, you can book a virtual appointment at a time that is convenient for you, online at: www.AdvancedBionics.com/CWS121
Contact Us
+44 (0) 1223 847 888
info.uk@advancedbionics.com
Useful links
Website: www.AdvancedBionics.com
Events Calendar: www.advancedbionics.com/uk-events
HearingJourney™: www.HearingJourney.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AdvancedBionics
Twitter: www.twitter.com/AdvancedBionics
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/AdvancedBionics
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-bionics
Instagram: www.instagram.com/AdvancedBionics
References:
- Koch DB, Osberger MJ, Segel P, Kessler DK. (2004) HiResolution and conventional sound processing in the HiResolution Bionic Ear: using appropriate outcome measures to assess speech-recognition ability. Audiology and Neurotology, 9:214-223.
- Firszt JB, Koch DB, Downing M, Litvak L. (2007) Current steering creates additional pitch percepts in adult cochlear implant recipients. Otology and Neurotology, 28(5):629-636.
- EN 45502-2-3:2010. Active Implantable Medical Devices. Particular Requirements for Cochlear and Auditory Brainstem Implant Systems.
Cochlear. Hear Now. And always
As the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, Cochlear’s story goes back more than 40 years to when Professor Graeme Clark invented the first multi-channel cochlear implant. Inspired by his father’s own hearing loss, he persevered for years to find a treatment. His breakthrough led to the foundation of Cochlear in 1981, where we continue his work today.
Since then, we've provided more than 700,000 implantable devices in over 180 countries, helping people of all ages to hear and live the life they want. We are committed to helping you or your loved one achieve the best possible hearing every day. This means providing innovative hearing solutions and ongoing support throughout your hearing journey – today and into the future.
Our Cochlear Implants
When you choose Cochlear you are choosing the most reliable cochlear implants available.1
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Our Sound Processors
Designed to help you hear your best, Cochlear sound processors demonstrate proven hearing performance2-8 and offer our latest technologies. We offer both on the ear and off the ear sound processors suitable for all ages.
Cochlear™ Nucleus® 8 Sound Processor
Smaller. Smarter. Better connected.‡
Explore all the possibilities with the world’s smallest and lightest behind-the-ear sound processor.9 The Nucleus 8 Sound Processor brings together next-generation Bluetooth® connectivity¥ and smarter hearing performance so you can experience your best hearing.2-7,10-12
Cochlear™ Kanso®2 Sound Processor
Smart has never been so simple
The Nucleus Kanso® 2 Sound Processor is our latest off-the- ear sound processor. It offers direct streaming from compatible devices†, an easy-to-use and award-winning design, all wrapped up in the smallest and lightest rechargeable off-the- ear sound processor available.13
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Get in touch
- Cochlear’s UK and Ireland team are here to help:
www.cochlear.com/uk
Our contact details are here
- If you are considering a cochlear implant for yourself or a loved one, you can find information and support here:
https://hearmore.cochlear.com/
hearnow@cochlear.com
- If you already have a cochlear implant and need to contact our Customer Service Team:
uksupport@cochlear.com
Tel:01932 263640
References
1. D1932780. Cochlear Nucleus Reliability Report, Volume 20 December 2021.
2. Cochlear Limited. D1864200 SCAN-X Design Description. Apr 2022.
3. Warren C, Nel E, and Boyd P. Controlled comparative clinical trial of hearing benefit outcomes for users of the Cochlear™ Nucleus® 7 Sound Processor with mobile connectivity. Cochlear Implants International (2019 Feb); 20(3)
4. Mauger SJ, et al. Clinical evaluation of the Nucleus 6 cochlear implant system: performance improvements with SmartSound iQ. International Journal Of Audiology. 2014, Aug; 53(8): 564 576. [Sponsored by Cochlear]
5. Mauger SJ, et al. Clinical outcomes with the Kanso™ off-the-ear cochlear implant sound processor. International Journal of Audiology. 2017 Apr 3;56(4):267-76. [Sponsored by Cochlear]
6. Wolfe J, et al. Benefits of Adaptive Signal Processing in a Commercially Available Cochlear Implant Sound Processor. Otol Neurotol. 2015 Aug;36(7):1181-90.
7. Cochlear Limited. D1660797. CP1150 Sound Processor Interim Clinical Investigation Report. 2020
8. Sivonen V, Willberg T, Aarnisalo AA, Dietz A. The efficacy of microphone directionality in improving speech recognition in noise for three commercial cochlear-implant systems. Cochlear Implants Int. 2020 May;21(3):153-159.
9. Cochlear Limited. D1190805 Processor Size Comparison. May 2022.
10. Hunn N. Introducing Bluetooth® LE Audio [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan]. Available from: https://www.bluetooth.com/learn-about-bluetooth/recent-enhancements/le-audio/
11. Cochlear Limited. D1631375 Nucleus 8 Sound Processor Product Definition
12. A Technical Overview of LC3 [Internet]. Bluetooth® Technology Website. [cited 2022 Feb 28]. Available from: https://www.bluetooth.com/blog/a-technical-overview-of-lc3
13. Cochlear Ltd. D1190805 Sound Processor Size Comparison. 2020; March. Data on file.
Please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always follow the directions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.
Views expressed are those of the individual. Consult your health professional to determine if you are a candidate for Cochlear technology.
\ When the technology becomes available for the Cochlear Nucleus 8 Sound Processor, a firmware update to your sound processor will allow you to connect to Bluetooth LE Audio compatible devices.
‡ Compared to previous generation Nucleus 7 Sound Processor
† For information regarding the compatibility of Cochlear’s Sound Processors with Apple or Android devices, visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility.
About MED-EL
We are a Europe-based market leader in implantable hearing solutions, co-founded by industry pioneers Ingeborg and Erwin Hochmair. It was their ground-breaking research at the Technical University of Vienna that led to the development of the world's first micro-electronic multi-channel cochlear implant (CI) system, implanted in December 1977, which formed the basis of the modern CIs in use today. Since then, MED-EL have remained innovation leaders, introducing numerous technological breakthroughs throughout our history.
As a privately owned company, we don't answer to shareholders, we only answer to YOU. We are therefore pround to commit to re-investing our resources back into the development of more 'world-firsts' and making this amazing technology available to those who have difficulty accessing it, via our social responsibility campaigns.
Unique Hearing Implants
MED-EL recognises that you and your hearing loss are unique, and so are our implants. That’s why we offer the widest portfolio of hearing implants. We also provide a customisable cochlear implant solution for each person, with a range of 11 electrode arrays, including the longest electrode arrays available. Our OTOPLAN software helps ensure that the right implant electrode length and coverage is selected for you, to achieve a pitch match as close as possible to natural hearing[a]. In a study[b] comparing two manufacturers’ implant systems, music perception was found to be superior, and closer to natural, with our MED-EL CI device.
Our implant electrodes are also designed to protect the delicate natural structures of the inner ear, which helps to provide a better chance of accessing any new treatments for hearing loss that may be developed in the future.
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Industry-Leading Reliable Implants 
The Cumulative Survival Rate (CSR) is a measure of how reliable each implant model is over time. MED-EL’s SYNCHRONY 2 cochlear implant has an industry-leading reliability performance, with an overall CSR of 99.90% after three years of use[c][d][e]. A recent study using real-world data directly from a clinic also found that MED-EL’s cochlear implants have a higher cumulative survival rate than implants from our competitors after five years of use[f].
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Choose Your Audio Processor
RONDO 3
The RONDO 3 is our latest off the ear audio processor with wireless streaming and charging. It can be used with any hearing aid worn in the non-implanted ear, and when paired with our SYNCHRONY 2 cochlear implant, you benefit from our world-first S-Vector magnet technology, that is 25% stronger than its predecessor, for secure processor retention.
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SONNET 3
We’ve taken the SONNET series to the next level with the release of our latest SONNET 3 behind the ear audio processor. Featuring an even more comfortable, waterproof design and integrated direct streaming. It can also be used with any hearing aid worn in the non-implanted ear
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Connect With Hearing Implant Users
Hearpeers is a support network for hearing implant users, potential users, parents, and caregivers.
What Can Hearpeers Do for You?
- CONNECT and engage with a supportive community of hearing implant users and receive guidance at every step on your journey to hearing.
- LEARN from those who’ve walked the journey before you. Gain valuable tips, insights, and answers from individuals who share your experiences and can provide relatable guidance.
- HEAR Inspiring stories and immerse yourself in insightful discussions by attending a Hearpeers webinar on a broad range of topics. Visit our Hearpeers events page to register or request a previous webinar recording.
For more information or to be matched with a local Hearpeers mentor, contact Nicola at HearpeersUK@medel.com. Connect with us to enhance your journey to hearing through network support.
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Three Simple Steps Candidate Brochures from MED-EL 
Created locally, the packs guide candidates through the decision-making process with 3 steps.
Step 1: Choosing the implant
Step 2: Choosing the audio processor
Step 3: Choosing the connectivity devices
The packs also include a frequently asked questions section, along with information about MED-EL, rehabilitation, support, and the available services.
The brochures are available for both adults and children, and copies can be obtained by visiting our website or scanning the QR code:
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Connect With Us
Contact our UK and Ireland team:
https://www.medel.com/en-gb/contact-med-el
customerservice@medel.co.uk
0330 123 5601
Text: 0770635021
Ireland queries freephone tel:1800 814131
References
[a] - OTOPLAN – Patient specific otological planning software (cascination.com)
[b] - "Intra-individual assessment of speech and music perception in cochlear implant users with contralateral Cochlear and MED-EL systems”; 2011; Harris, Robert, Gibson, William P R., Johnson, Melinda, Brew, J, Bray, M, Psarros, Colleen E; Acta Oto-Laryngologica, 2011; 131: 1270–1278
[c] - MED-EL. (2024). MED-EL Cochlear Implant Systems Reliability Report October 2024. M00815 r5.0
Oticon Medical www.oticonmedical.com is a global company in implantable hearing solutions, dedicated to bringing the magical world of sound to people at every stage of life. As a member of one of the world’s largest groups of hearing health care companies, we share a close link with Oticon and direct access to the latest advancements in hearing research and technologies. Our competencies span more than a century of innovations in sound processing and decades of pioneering experience in hearing implant technology.
By working collaboratively with patients, physicians and hearing care professionals, we ensure that every solution we create is designed with user needs in mind. We share an unwavering commitment to provide innovative solutions and support that enhance quality of life for people wherever life may take them.
Because we know how much sound matters.