Sonova launches successful Marvel hearing technology for cochlear implant wearers: FDA approval of two new sound processors Donnerstag, 10. Dezember 2020 - 07:00

Media Release

Stäfa (Switzerland), December 10, 2020 – Sonova Holding AG, a leading provider of hearing solutions, today announces that its US subsidiary Advanced Bionics LLC has received FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval in the United States for its new Naída™ CI Marvel and Sky CI™ Marvel sound processors. Through the close collaboration between its brands Advanced Bionics (AB) and Phonak, cochlear implant (CI) wearers of all ages can now benefit from the breakthrough Marvel hearing technology. With Naída CI Marvel for adults and Sky CI Marvel, the world’s first dedicated solution for children, AB is introducing two new sound processors. The new offering also includes the Naída Link Marvel and Sky Link Marvel super-power hearing aids for bimodal* wearers; the new Target CI fitting software with industry-first features; and the new AB Remote app for easy adjustments via smartphone. The FDA approval follows the Health Canada approval; TÜV approval for European markets is pending.

“We are proud to offer the strong benefits of the proven Marvel platform to our cochlear implant wearers. The new Marvel CI platform is the result of an outstanding collaboration between our cochlear implants and hearing instruments businesses. It is testament to the innovation power within our organization, opening up a whole new world of hearing solutions for cochlear implant wearers of all ages. The launch represents another important step in realizing our vision to enable those affected by hearing loss to live a life without limitations,” says Arnd Kaldowski, CEO of Sonova.

With the launch of Naída CI Marvel, Advanced Bionics brings Phonak’s Marvel technology, which has been the most successful hearing aid in Sonova’s history, to benefit their adult cochlear implant wearers. With AutoSense OS 3.0, Naída CI Marvel delivers excellent sound quality and performance in a variety of situations throughout the day. This machine-learning algorithm analyzes the sounds in the listener’s environment every 0.4 seconds and identifies whether the wearer is for example in a noisy restaurant, car, concert hall or at home. It then engages the appropriate cochlear implant system features to customize and enhance the wearer’s hearing experience based on the specific characteristics of the listening environment. Marvel CI is the world’s first cochlear implant sound processor to connect to virtually any Bluetooth-enabled device and to support hands-free calling.

Sky CI Marvel combines Advanced Bionics sound processing with the Marvel CI platform. AutoSense Sky OS™ 3.0 works similarly to the adult version in Naída CI Marvel but is uniquely designed for a child’s typical listening environments, providing excellent sound quality and performance wherever the child goes.

The Marvel technology has been extended to bimodal-hearing wearers* with the introduction of Phonak Sky Link Marvel and the new Naída Link Marvel. As a bimodal system, these devices wirelessly communicate with each other and feature all of the connectivity benefits of Marvel, including Sonova’s unique universal Bluetooth connectivity and RogerDirect.

The new offering comes with the introduction of the Target CI fitting software, which provides hearing care professionals easier fittings with the industry-standard Noahlink Wireless, giving them and their patients the freedom and convenience of cable-free programming. For the first time ever, professionals can program a cochlear implant and the associated bimodal hearing aid with one software in one fitting session.

* Many cochlear implant wearers use one cochlear implant and one hearing aid. This is known as bimodal hearing.

For more information please refer to the joint media release of the Sonova brands Advanced Bionics and Phonak, which you can find in the Media section of the Sonova webpage at: https://www.sonova.com/en/media

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Disclaimer

This Media Release contains forward-looking statements, which offer no guarantee with regard to future performance. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance at the time the statements are made. They are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not confined to, future global economic conditions, exchange rates, legal provisions, market conditions, activities by competitors and other factors outside Sonova’s control. Should one or more of these risks or un¬certainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those forecasted or expected. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and Sonova undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

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About Sonova

Sonova, headquartered in Stäfa, Switzerland, is a leading provider of innovative hearing care solutions. The Group operates through its core business brands Phonak, Unitron, Hansaton, Advanced Bionics and the brands of the Audiological Care business, e.g. AudioNova, Geers, Boots Hearing Care, Connect Hearing and Lapperre. Sonova offers its customers one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in the industry – from hearing instruments to cochlear implants to wireless communication solutions.

Pursuing a unique vertically integrated business strategy, the Group operates through three core businesses – Hearing Instruments, Audiological Care and Cochlear Implants – along the entire value chain of the hearing care market. The Group’s sales and distribution network, the widest in the industry, comprises over 50 own wholesale companies and more than 100 independent distributors. This is complemented by Sonova’s Audiological Care business, which offers professional audiological services through a network of around 3,300 locations in 20 key markets.

Founded in 1947, the Group has a workforce of over 14,000 dedicated employees and generated sales of CHF 2.92 billion in the financial year 2019/20 as well as a net profit of CHF 490 million. Across all businesses, and by supporting the Hear the World Foundation, Sonova pursues its vision of a world where everyone enjoys the delight of hearing and therefore lives a life without limitations.

For more information please visit www.sonova.com and www.hear-the-world.com.

Sonova shares (ticker symbol: SOON, Security no: 1254978, ISIN: CH0012549785) have been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 1994. The securities of Sonova have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), or under the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States of America, and may not be offered or sold in the United States of America except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements under the U.S. Securities Act and in compliance with applicable state securities laws, or outside the United States of America to non-U.S. Persons in reliance on Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act.