Approval of EAS™* hearing system and of the Vibrant Soundbridge® for conductive and mixed hearing losses* in Europe. Launch of the DaCapo rechargeable battery system.
2006
MED‑EL launches the OPUS family of speech processors and introduces the SONATATI100 cochlear implant with the smallest titanium housing in the industry.
2005
Introduction of the DUET EAS™* speech processor, the first hearing implant system worldwide to integrate cochlear implant speech processing and digital acoustic amplification technologies for combined Electric-Acoustic Stimulation (EAS).
2004
MED‑EL launches the PULSARCI100 cochlear implant, providing future-ready electronics in an optimized ceramic housing.
2003
Acquisition of the Vibrant Soundbridge®, the first implantable middle ear hearing device for moderate-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss.
2002
The TEMPO+ is the most widely used high-rate BTE speech processor worldwide.
2000
MED‑EL founders celebrate 25 years of cochlear implant research and development.
1999
Launch of the TEMPO+ behind-the-ear (BTE) speech processor. MED‑EL celebrates 10th anniversary and opens new state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities.
1997
The COMBI 40+ Split Electrode is first implanted to address cases of cochlear ossification.
1996
Introduction of the COMBI 40+, the thinnest cochlear implant available worldwide.
1995
Introduction of the CIS LINK system, a speech processor for users of the Ineraid cochlear implant, one of the early prototype implants developed by a now-defunct manufacturer. Allows these pioneering patients to access the latest speech coding strategies and features.
1994
Introduction of the COMBI 40, the world's first multi-channel high-rate cochlear implant.
1991
MED‑EL launches the world's first BTE (behind-the-ear) speech processor.
1989
MED‑EL is founded in Innsbruck, Austria. Introduction of the COMFORT cochlear implant, containing both the antenna and the electronics in a robust ceramic case.
1977
Implantation of the world's first microelectronic multi-channel cochlear implant in Vienna.
1975
Cochlear implant development started by MED‑EL founders Ingeborg and Erwin Hochmair.
* CAUTION: Investigational device in the US. Limited by federal law to investigational use.
