The Apple Cochlear Limited "implant" boasts and improved processor and the potential to stimulate sounds sensitivity in those with hearing loss.

Many of the most disruptive technological innovations came from superstar corporation Apple and its original brainchild Steve Jobs.

Apple helmed many groundbreaking technologies over the years. As of late, the tech giant has diversified its lexicon of items by breaking into the hearing aid market.

Could the Apple and Cochlear Limited collaboration be a major game changer?

New Ideas for Increasingly Common Problems

According to the World Health Organization, there are an estimated 360 million people around the world with hearing loss. Regardless of causality, many people could benefit from some kind of hearing aid. In fact, many companies such as Samsung have implemented safe-listening protocols. Though some people would rather see the volume warnings go away, one question looms over it all. How can we pair communication and hearing technology innovations together?

While there are 50 iOS compatible hearing aids, none of them are quite like this. Cochlear Limited has provided hearing solutions for more than 30 years. Their latest innovation comes from a partnership with Apple. The company launched the “cochlear implant sound processor” which works exclusively with Apple products. Specifically, the device works with iPhones and iPod touches. There is a partner app and 5 color options from which to choose. On top of that, you can make use of Cochlear’s True Wireless Accessories.

Familiar Territory With New Tools

The key difference between a hearing aid and an implant lies in the intensity. Hearing aids merely amplify sound. Cochlear implants can directly stimulate the hearing nerve to generate sound. Implants also feature a traditional external piece and a surgically inserted portion behind the ear. The “Nucleus 7 Sound Processor” replaces its predecessor, the Nucleus 6.

Due to improvements, the Nucleus 7 is not only 24% lighter, it is also 25% smaller. The Nucleus 7 also features 50% improved battery life, too. The new product utilizes Bluetooth technology and proprietary Apple tech.

“The approval of the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is a turning point for people with hearing loss, opening the door for them to make phone calls, listen to music in high-quality stereo sound, watch videos and have FaceTime® calls streamed directly to their cochlear implant,” explained Chris Smith, the CEO and President of Cochlear Limited. The device also totes the epithet of being the world’s “first and only made for iPhone cochlear implant sound processor”. The device goes live for the U.S. and Canada in September.

What’s Next for Apple?

This pairing aligns with past movements from Apple. After all, they partnered with ReSound to debut the LiNX hearing aids in 2014. Since the WHO estimates that 1.2 billion people could require the assistance of a hearing device by 2050, it’s a smart move to continually support innovation in this industry and companies like Cochlear Limited.