You have heard the phrase: “Seeing is Believing.”  Now with Nucleus® Freedom, “Hearing is Believing!”  People everywhere are experiencing the benefits of Nucleus® Freedom™. And the great news is that the Nucleus Freedom upgrade is available to all of our Nucleus 24 cochlear implant users. As shown in the graphs below, Nucleus Freedom upgrade delivers a new level of sound clarity.

Find out more about how to upgrade to Freedom!

“It is important to be associated with a company that provides continual updates and improvements. Every upgrade I have received from Cochlear has always been an improvement and always been better than the last processor I can rely on that.” – Paul

Below are two graphs that show the improvements in users’ ability to hear when upgrading to Freedom and when using SmartSound.  These improvements have been so significant that Cochlear changed the industry standards by making the tests MORE difficult. This testing change was designed to better represent more difficult hearing situations in both quiet and noise.  Below are two graphs that show the improvements in users’ ability to hear when upgrading to Freedom. 

“When I got hooked up to the Freedom my jaw dropped – the results were fantastic!” – Bill
 

The graph above titled "Mimicking Real Life in Quiet" shows how performance improved after upgrading to Nucleus Freedom.  The speech performance in quiet was tested by reducing the speech level to 50dB.  This level would be similar to a soft speaker, a child’s voice, or speech from a distance. Results indicate those tested in this more challenging environment, saw scores improve from 32% to 47% word recognition!

The graph above titled "Mimicking Real Life in Noise" shows significant improvement in hearing and understanding in noisy environments when using SmartSound™ BEAM.   Freedom with BEAM, scores went from 37% understanding (as ESPrit 3G users) to 87% understanding. People are hearing better with FREEDOM!

Nucleus Freedom™ is the only cochlear implant system designed specifically to match each person’s unique hearing fingerprint™.  Freedom now offers more options to fit your lifestyle and to match your Hearing Fingerprint.  Read the information below to find out more about these options.

“I can walk into a noisy pub and, with the click of a button, immediately cut out the noise so I can talk to my friends. SmartSound gives me flexibility.” – Duncan

BEAM™, ADRO™, AutoSensitivity™, and Whisper™ are all SmartSound pre-processing strategies that allow users to hear better in challenging hearing environments.  You can choose what works best for you and, with four programming slots, you can take advantage of all the features.

No longer do you need to compromise sound quality for a different wearing option.  The Nucleus Freedom processor is designed to be modular.  The processor can be used with all three Freedom wearing options: BTE, Mini BTE and the Bodyworn.

Freedom provides choices for programming strategy, as well as programming rate.  One is not always better than the other and a faster rate is not always ideal.  In fact studies show that many Freedom users prefer lower rates of stimulation³.  Your audiologist can help you test different strategies and rates to help optimize your hearing performance.

Water Resistance

“While  working on the job it started to rain. With my previous processor, I would have worried in this situation, but this time there were no issues.” – Paul

Cochlear tested Freedom’s water resistance against international standards (International Standard IEC 60529). Specifically, we passed the IP44 water resistance criterion, meaning that the device is protected from solids greater than 1 millimeter (dust and sand, for example) and from splashing water from all directions with no harmful results. This is a claim no other cochlear implant manufacturer can make! It means that you don’t have to worry about getting caught out in the rain; that your child can enjoy sound while running through the sprinkler; and that you can exercise without worry.

Disposable or Rechargeable Batteries

You have the choice of disposable or rechargeable batteries.  The Nucleus Freedom BTE and Bodyworn processors* give you the convenience of disposable and/or rechargeable batteries.

 *The mini BTE does not offer rechargeable battery option

Freedom now offers microphone covers and back panel covers in a variety of colors, as well as processor stickers to add to the fun. 

If you are a Nucleus 24 recipient you should have received a letter outlining the steps to upgrade to Freedom.  For more information about the upgrade process visit: www.cochlear.com/upgrades

3. “Freedom Benchmark Trial”  Soon to be published data by Balkany et al.