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READY FOR THE FUTURE<br />
Outstanding Results<br />
Technology means nothing without outcomes. MED-EL COMBI 40+ patients demonstrate<br />
outstanding results which range from mean monosyllable scores of 70% 1 to telephone<br />
use 2 and even music enjoyment. 3,4 Additionally, MED-EL COMBI 40+ users<br />
reach high performance levels quickly, reaching mean scores of 84% sentence understanding<br />
as early as 6 months. 1<br />
Given today’s rapid advances in technology, MED-EL is committed to ensuring that cochlear implant recipients are able to<br />
take advantage of future developments and upgrades. MED-EL demonstrates this commitment with the TEMPO+ BTE Speech<br />
processor, the only BTE speech processor which can be used by recipients of both the MED-EL COMBI 40+ and the previous<br />
generation implant, the COMBI 40.<br />
Compatible with future technologies<br />
The flexible design platform and ability to stimulate at high rates allow the COMBI 40+ to be compatible<br />
with future technological upgrades.<br />
MRI safe, no additional surgery necessary<br />
The COMBI 40+ is the only implant available that is MRI safe (0.2, 1.0 and 1.5 Tesla) 5,6,7 without<br />
the need for surgical removal of the magnet, and thus no additional period of deafness<br />
MED-EL's Focus on <strong>El</strong>ectrode Development<br />
<strong>Cochlear</strong> implantation is not only performed on one of the body's smallest<br />
structures, but also on one of the most delicate. For this reason, it is both a<br />
surgical and technical challenge.<br />
Since the foundation of MED-EL, the company's philosophy has been to develop<br />
atraumatic electrodes designed for highest performance and maximum<br />
protection of the cochlea. This is of critical importance because trauma to<br />
the cochlea may increase the potential for post-operative problems and restrict<br />
access to future technological upgrades.<br />
Important considerations include minimisation of mechanical forces applied<br />
to the delicate structures of the cochlea, as well as promotion of a tight<br />
cochleostomy seal to prevent post-operative infection.<br />
MED-EL is committed to focusing research efforts to achieve further improvements<br />
in this area to ensure that our electrodes are not only high performing,<br />
but structure and function preserving.<br />
C. Gary Wright, Ph.D.<br />
University of Texas Southwestern <strong>Med</strong>ical Center,<br />
Dallas, Texas