Sonova Holding AG has announced that its subsidiary Advanced Bionics (AB) has received FDA approval in the United States for its new Naída CI Q90 and Q30 sound processors.

According to Sonova, the approval by the FDA follows approval by Health Canada earlier this year. Distribution of the Naída CI Q90 sound processor is expected later this year in the United States and Canada, the company reports, while the Naída CI Q30, designed to meet the needs of the global market, will be available in specific markets outside of North America.

“Building on the unique innovations introduced with the Naída CI Q70 sound processor in 2013, the new Naída CI Q90 and Q30 processors are further evidence of our clear commitment to be customer driven, bringing together the innovation DNA of AB and Phonak,” said Lukas Braunschweiler, CEO of Sonova. “The new devices deliver on our promise to innovate, differentiate, and provide our customers with the most comprehensive range of products in the industry. I am confident that this launch will further support the long-term, sustainable growth of Sonova’s implant business.”

The company says that its Q Series of sound processors gives cochlear implant recipients access to the combined technologies of AB and Phonak. Phonak Binaural VoiceStream Technology lends the Naída CI processors the ability to work together for improved hearing in challenging situations.

The Q90 is the newest processor in the Naída CI Q Series from Advanced Bionics, following the previous release of the Q70. The Naída CI Q90 has PowerCel features that reduce size and improve battery life as well as new microphone technology for focusing on speech. Other new Q Series features include automation technology that blocks obtrusive sounds, such as wind and echoes, to improve hearing in challenging settings. Supporting the Naída CI Q Series, the latest version of AB’s fitting software, SoundWave 2.3, also received FDA approval.

Source: Sonova Holding AG; Advanced Bionics

Photo credit: Advanced Bionics