Cochlear Marks 30 Years in Malaysia and ASEAN with the Launch of Smart Hearing Implant

• *Cochlear marks three decades of commitment to Malaysia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, reinforcing its leadership in hearing implant innovation.
• *Launches the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Nexa® System, the smart hearing implant with internal memory and upgradeable firmware. 1+

Cochlear, the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, celebrates 30 years in Malaysia and ASEAN with the launch of the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Nexa® System – the smart cochlear implant system in Malaysia. The implant features internal memory and upgradeable firmware, allowing recipients to access future innovation through firmware updates.

The celebration underscores Cochlear’s long-term commitment to advancing hearing health and accessibility in Malaysia and ASEAN. Since establishing its presence three decades ago, Cochlear has played a pivotal role in supporting thousands of Malaysians and over 10,000 in the ASEAN region living with hearing loss, from children to adults seeking to connect and reconnect to the world of sound.

“Our 30th anniversary is a moment to renew our promise: to ensure that the journey of every person with hearing loss is supported by the smart technology and the most dedicated team in Malaysia and ASEAN,” said Stuart Sayers, President, Asia Pacific & Latin America, Cochlear. 

“Malaysia is an integral part of our global ecosystem, from innovation and manufacturing to service and community support. The launch of the Cochlear Nucleus Nexa System symbolises both our heritage and our future, a commitment to progress and improving lives through sound, he continued.”

The Cochlear Nucleus Nexa System introduces a new era of smart implant technology. Built on over a decade of intensive research and development, it features upgradeable firmware and internal memory that allow users to access future innovations. The system enables updates and personalised hearing settings that can be securely stored and transferred to a new Nucleus Nexa Sound Processor, a first in hearing implant technology.

Cochlear has worked alongside Malaysia’s hearing-health community since 1995, including audiologists, surgeons, speech therapists and partner hospitals, to deliver life-changing outcomes for patients of all ages. Through its innovation and collaboration, Cochlear continues to empower individuals to help them hear, connect, and fully participate in life.

In 2022, Cochlear expanded its global manufacturing facility in Kuala Lumpur to meet growing international demand for hearing implant technology. The RM30 million investment created over 270 new job opportunities and strengthened Malaysia’s position as one of the company’s eight global operations overseeing the design, development, manufacture and supply of the Australian-headquartered company.

The expanded 50,000-square-foot facility houses global logistics, supply chain and information technology operations, supporting Cochlear’s production and distribution to more than 180 countries worldwide. It also contributes to the company’s sustainability goals, operating on 100 per cent renewable energy as part of Cochlear’s global target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, aligning with Malaysia’s vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Cochlear has helped more than 750,000 people globally, earning recognition as the most trusted healthcare company by Newsweek’s World’s Most Trustworthy Companies 2024 list.

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