Technology
This World Hearing Day, Cochlear brings the world's first and only smart hearing implant system to India
Cochlear, the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, today launched the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Nexa® System – the world's first and only smart cochlear implant system.
About this update from Cochlear Limited
MUMBAI, India, March 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cochlear, the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, today launched the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Nexa® System – the world's first and only smart cochlear implant system. According to one study, more than one lakh babies are born annually with some form of hearing deficiency; four in 1,000 newborns suffer from severe to profound loss. "The launch of the Nucleus Nexa System marks a defining moment in hearing care. Built around the evolving needs of recipients and the realities of modern life," says Vandana Pisharody, Regional General Manager, South Asia & Southeast Asia says, speaking about what this breakthrough means to India. The Nexa system introduces a new category of smart hearing implant systems designed to support a more connected, responsive and future-ready hearing experience. "The technology advancements offered in the Nucleus Nexa System are built on more than 20 years of intensive research & development. As India continues to advance rapidly in digital innovation and AI-led transformation, we are proud to bring a breakthrough that reflects the same spirit of progress, helping recipients, clinicians and families navigate the future of hearing care with greater confidence," says Pisharody. The new Nucleus Nexa System offers the world's first hearing implant solution with upgradeable implant firmware, revolutionising the way people with hearing loss can access future technology. Conventional cochlear implants available today can only access future innovation by upgrading their sound processor. But people using a Nucleus Nexa System can experience new features and advancements, via both updates to the firmware in their smart implant and upgrades to their sound processor over time. Jan Janssen, Chief Technology Officer, explains that Cochlear has re-imagined the internal technology of the cochlear implant system: "The Nucleus Nexa System combines 40+ years of proven reliability of our trusted implants and technology leadership, with a new cutting-edge chipset, which is packed with innovative features," he says. "With onboard diagnostics that monitor system performance to ensure optimal hearing, it reduces the burden on users and carers, setting a new standard in implantable hearing technology. The new chipset powers the implant, ena...