1.1.10 | Thomas Lee

Envoy Medical investors envision big returns with Esteem hearing device

Esteem WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP, MINNESOTA– It took nearly 15 years, $105 million, a name change and countless technical hiccups, but Envoy Medical Corp. investors can finally see the endgame.

Or more accurately, they can hear the endgame.

In December, a scientific panel advising the Food and Drug Administration unanimously recommended the agency approve the company’s Esteem technology, an implantable device designed to help patients with moderate to severe hearing loss. The decision paves the way for the FDA to formally approve Esteem in February, allowing Envoy to start selling the $30,000 system the following month.

Investors always say they believe in a big payday. But these aren’t just any investors: Minnesota Timberwolves owner and billionaire Glen Taylor owns 15 percent of Envoy; Roger Lucas of biotech firm Techne Corp. control a 19 percent stake; former Medtronic Inc. vice chairman Glen Nelson, a prolific investor, owns a little under 1 percent.

In an interview, Roger Lucas, a former senior vice president and chief scientific officer for Techne, said he believes Envoy will go public in two years and reach a $3 billion to $5 billion market cap. He has invested $15 million in Envoy.

“I was looking for a biological solution beyond hearing aids,” Lucas said.

Despite Lucas’ optimism and Esteem’s promising clinical results, significant obstacles remain. Doctors may not embrace such a new technology. At $30,000, Esteem costs more than a pacemaker (not to mention most cars,) and not likely to win reimbursement, experts say. As a result, Envoy, which plans to market Esteem directly to consumers through TV and radio ads, will finance the procedures.

“The cost is high,” said Dr. Stephanie Lockhart, director of audiology at the University of Cincinnati’s Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. “Traditional hearing aids range in price from a few hundred dollars each up to about $3,000. Most insurance companies do not cover the cost of hearing aids. I question whether the implantable device would be covered.”

And any surgery carries risk, Lockhart said.

“In this surgery, the ossicular chain (three small bones in the middle ear), are disturbed,” she said. “Although I’m sure that the device failure rate would be low, in the event that the device did fail, the patient would be left with additional hearing loss.”

Esteem is worth the risk and money, especially in treating conductive and/or sensorineural hearing loss, said Envoy CEO Patrick Spearman. In normal hearing, sound causes the ear drum to vibrate, moving fluid inside the cochlea, an oval-shaped area in the inner ear. The motion prompts tiny hairs to touch nerve endings, which converts the movement into electric signals sent to the brain.

In conductive hearing loss, sound moving through outer and middle ear is blocked. Sensorineural hearing loss is more severe–the hairs don’t vibrate properly, disrupting the electric signals to the brain.

Hearing aids, which rely on microphones to amplify sound, are flawed devices because they don’t effectively filter out unwanted noise, Spearman said.

“It’s like listening to a megaphone or the [fast food restaurant] drive-through speaker,” he said.

In addition, wearing hearing aids carry a social stigma, Spearman said. That’s why Envoy named its device Esteem because it builds self confidence–people can’t see Esteem because the entire system is implanted in the ear. Newer generation cochlear implant devices like Nucleus Freedom and Baha Cordelle require patients to wear external components.

“When you wear glasses, people don’t think you’re disabled because [they think the glasses] work,” Spearman said. “Esteem accomplishes what hearing aids set out to do but haven’t been able to do.”

Here’s how Esteem works: The system consists of a sensor, sound processor and driver. The sensor picks up vibrations from the ear drum and converts them into electric signals. The sound processor, a specially designed computer chip, cleans up the signals and boosts its power. Finally, the driver converts the signals back into mechanical vibrations and transmits them into the cochlea.

“Using the natural ear is the number one advantage we have,” Spearman said.

The patient can turn on/off Esteem through a remote control-like device and adjust volume and personal settings.

Dr. Lockhart of the University of Cincinnati praised Esteem’s design.

“The device is invisible,” she said. “Many people shy away from hearing aids because of the stigma. With traditional hearing aids you must remove the devices when you swim, shower, or sleep. Also, excessive perspiration can be harmful to the hearing aids. There would be no daily maintenance required [like] cleaning. Since there is nothing that has to be inserted into the ear canal, this device would be comfortable to wear.”

One feature that sets Esteem apart is its battery, which is based on pacemaker technology. That’s not surprising since the company, first called St. Croix Medical, was founded in 1995 by Ted Adams, a former vice president of research and development for Cardiac Pacemakers and St. Jude Medical and director of engineering for Medtronic Inc.

Designing a piezoelectric battery small enough for the ear took Envoy several years to develop. Because of its miniature size, the battery had to consume less power and perform reliably. The company says Esteem’s battery lasts six years (a replacement battery could cost $2,000), while hearing aids and other cochlear implants must be recharged.

Envoy faced other challenges. Normally, companies first perfect their technology on animals, something that can’t be done with a hearing device (pigs and rats don’t understand humans anyway). During Envoy’s first clinical trial, the driver broke loose in several patients. The company says it has fixed the problem.

Spearman says Envoy’s clinical data shows Esteem improved patients Speech Reception Threshold scores by an average of 11 decibels over hearing aids. While the FDA won’t yet allow Envoy to claim Esteem is superior to hearing aids, Spearman is confident the agency will do so.

Selling Esteem might be tougher than creating the technology.

“The biggest problem is getting surgeons up to speed,” Lucas said. “That will be the bottleneck. It is fairly difficult to implant properly.”

Assuming doctors want to learn. Some physicians are reluctant to try new technologies, especially if there’s conflicting opinions on safety and performance, Spearman said.

According to a December 2008 survey of 594 patients who received cochlear implants, only 46 percent of respondents said a audiologist or hearing instrument specialist referred them to the technology compared to 34 percent from a primary care doctor or a ear, nose and throat specialist. Twenty percent reported no professional referral, instead relying on friends, family and the Internet.

“The market penetration of cochlear implants is surprisingly low,” said the survey, conducted by Cochlear Americas and published in The Hearing Review. “Many patients who fall within the current candidacy range are never referred to evaluation for a cochlear implant. And that can present problems for the patient and dispensing professional.”

Normally, medical device companies market their technology to doctors, with hopes they will recommend them to patients. However, Envoy will take its message directly to the consumer through mass radio and TV ads.

“The patient will decide whether this works or not, not the medical community,” Spearman said.

Envoy will not even bother to apply for reimbursement. To help patients afford the $30,000 device and operation, the company will offer customers financing options.

“I think that this may be a good solution for people who are unsuccessful with hearing aids and who can afford the technology,” Dr. Lockhart said.

Thomas Lee

Thomas Lee was the Minnesota Bureau Chief for MedCityNews.

more

Tags: Dr. Glen Nelson, Envoy Medical, Glen Taylor, MDT, Medtronic, Minnesota, Nucleus Freedom, St. Jude Medical, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, University of Cincinnati

Comments Post a comment

[...] Â Â Â Â â™¦Â Â Â It took nearly 15 years, $105 million, a name change, and countless technical hiccups, but investors of Envoy Medical Corp. in White Bear Township, Minn.,Â canÂ finally see the end game.Â In December, a scientific panel advising the Food and Drug Administration unanimously recommended the agency approve the companyâ€™s Esteem technology, an implantable device designed to help patients with moderate to severe hearing loss, pavingÂ the way for the FDA to approve Esteem in February and enableÂ Envoy to start selling the $30,000 system the following month. [...]

Comment by Ohio Third Frontier marketing campaign, Envoy Medical product recommendation top week’s news — MedCity Weekend Rounds, Jan. 2, 2010 : MedCity News — January 1, 2010 @ 7:57 pm

Being a Cochlear Nucleus Freedom Implant recipient. I feel the price is way
too high!! Most insurance companies do cover the Cochlear Implant 100%, so
does Medicare. Why then would anyone have the Esteem implanted when they have
to pay for it themselves? The every day person could not afford to have the
implant done, only the wealthy!!!

Cochlear Americas Nucleus Freedom is a wonderful invention. I will be having
the Nucleus 5 implanted this next year in my right ear. It has been a blessing
for me and my family and I believe for everyone else that has had it.

Sandra L. Hunter

Comment by Sandra Hunter — January 1, 2010 @ 8:05 pm

I assume the price will come down over time. But, my wife is real interested and she feels $30,000 is not a steep price to restore her hearing, especially if it can be financed as I think Envoy Medical is planning to do.

Comment by Gerald Peterson — January 9, 2010 @ 4:41 pm

Throughout medical history there have been breakthrough devices/procedures, which were once considered cutting edge like this product, that were first brought to the market at a high price point. After time, however, they became affordable for the mass market and more commonplace (cochlear implants, for one). Also, cochlear implants and hearing aids aren’t appropriate fits for some people like me. The Esteem is another option for people to consider if they are willing to pay for it, and it may lead to a more affordable, superior product in the future. Someone had to develop the hearing aid and cochlear implant at some point too, right?

Comment by C.B. Einhorn — January 18, 2010 @ 1:18 pm

The market for this product is huge. Imagine having your hearing restored after years of not having it and being that the device is invisible, adds to to benefit. Priceless!

Comment by Nick — March 9, 2010 @ 8:04 pm

I had the device implanted in May of last year. I really like the convenience, improved sound quality.

Comment by Sharon — March 21, 2010 @ 3:51 pm

Hello
I am one of the first eight to have received the implant Esteem offered by the American Society Envoy Medical, Hospital St. Pierre in Brussels in June 2009.

Unfortunately, it involves risk of rejection as any surgical procedure. I started a golden staph and we had to remove the implant.

Still waiting for that one reimplanted the device, because I totally lost the hearing of the ear paired.

You can find all the details on my blog or by searching by my full name on Google.

I am taking the experiences of other recipients of this equipment.

Sincerely,

Comment by ROVERE — May 2, 2010 @ 7:44 am

i have been following this technology for 5 years now waiting for final approval. i am 49 and tired of my hearing problems. $30,000 to get my hearing back? you bet!

Comment by jim — May 10, 2010 @ 2:05 pm

My wife saw a clip about the Esteem implant and told me about it. I got soo excited and after doing some research decided to sign up. I am planning on getting implanted early in July. I lost most of my hearing 7 years ago and have been dreaming about something like this for most of that time. I am a very active person who owns a business and suffer on a daily basis with communication problems, hearing aid limitations and malfunctions. I can’t wait to have a chance at a more normal life again. The risks and cost seem in line with the potential benefit if you ask me.

Comment by Phil — June 13, 2010 @ 10:10 pm

When I first learned of the Esteem implants a few weeks ago I thought my prayers had been answered. Finally….. a chance to get rid of those annoying hearing aids and the weekly battery changes, not to mention the constant adjustments, cleaning, repairs etc. Then I saw the price tag. 30K per ear? With bilateral implants that’s 60 thousand bucks. There go my dreams……

Comment by Ernie — July 17, 2010 @ 1:02 am

That’s exactly what is holding back a lot of people with hearing loss. The cost of $30,000 is not worth it if you some residual hearing left. I hope that with time and technology, the future cost will come down to a point where it will become affordable to most people or better yet covered by medical insurance.

Comment by Jakemt — July 28, 2010 @ 1:45 pm

I have had no hearing in my right ear for my entire life, and I will soon be 78. I would have loved to be a guinea pig for trials of this device. I am quite sure the Medicare will not pay for it, but I would consider using my life savings for the chance to hear through my right ear as well as my left. Perhaps then I could determine from what direction sound is coming. I could appreciate just what stereo is all about. I could hear whispers from my grandchildren. More importantly, I would be more alert to my husband’s requests for help, as he has Parkinson’s Disease.

It was Rush Limbaugh’s mention this morning of the Esteem implant that alerted me to the fact that it is available. I will stay tuned for further news of the Esteem, hopefully for large reductions in the cost.

One question before I sign off: Where does the procedure take place? Minnesota is the state of my birth and I love to visit there.

Comment by Marilyn — August 3, 2010 @ 3:43 pm

i would like to know why rush limbaugh doesn have the esteem hearing system inplanted. i know he has a coclear implant. i was considering the coclear implant till i heard rush mention this new product

Comment by gabriel prezioso. — August 4, 2010 @ 2:21 pm

I’ve had a hearing loss for over 50 years in one ear. I’ve made the best of it though. When I go to bed I put the “good” ear into the pillow and my world goes very quiet. I sleep sound with noise all around me.

Unfortunately, I miss a lot of conversations if the speaker is on my “bad” side. $30,000 is a lot to spend to change what I’ve learned to deal with for the past five decades. However, I will continue to follow this development for some time.

Comment by Terry — August 13, 2010 @ 8:30 pm

30,000 dollars is way out of the general publics range. Especially if that is the cost of one ear. I wear hearring aids part of the time and when you only hear from one side it is nerve racking. That is the reason I normally don’t wear hearring aids. Although I have them for both ears.
I have been in the medical device manufacturing for 40 yrs. Insurance will not cover this probably for a few yrs. Why would they.
I will be following this though and see if the price begins to drop. As I see it the price needs to get in the range of regular invisible hearring aids. I know this sounds like a lot but their are others on the same break through and will be much cheaper with more technoligy. Bill

Comment by Ernest — August 21, 2010 @ 3:39 pm

I TOO HEARD RUSH L. TALK ABOUT THIS . I HAVE HEARING LOSS IN BOTH EARS AND GETTING WORSE AT AGE 56……I WAS ALL EXCITED UNTIL I SEEN THE PRICE $30,000 PER EAR!!!!!!!!!!
MY YEARLY INCOME IS LESS THAN $20,000………..WHAT CAN I DO ?
HEARING AIDS DON’T HELP ME AND I HAD $3,000 DOLLAR ONES UNTIL THE DOG CHEWED THEM UP. I THEN GOT ONES ON E-BAY FOR $300.00 A PIECE.THEY WORKED AS WELL AS THE EXPENSIVE ONES. AND I THINK THEY TOO WERE TOO EXPENSIVE. HOW CAN A 42 INCH FLAT SCREEN T.V. BE CHEAPER THAN THESE LITTLE “AMPLIFIERS”.
HEARING AIDS ARE JUST AMPLIFIERS……SO DON’T LET THEM FOOL YOU INTO BUYING EXPENSIVE ONES. HEARING AIDS HURT MY EARS,AMPLIFY UNWANTED NOISE AND EVERYTHING IS LOUD AND I STILL MISUNDERSTAND PEOPLE SPEAKING. WOULD LOVE TO GET THIS SURGERY BUT THE COST IS SO MUCH. I GUESS THE RICH PREVAIL AGAIN.

Comment by DISAPOINTED — August 26, 2010 @ 11:06 am

i have already sent the audiograms for my ears and am told that one ear is a go for the implant and the other is not certain… about the fin.. what would be a required down payment and what would be the general range of monthly payments and at what interest? thanks. bc.

Comment by Byard Charles — August 26, 2010 @ 1:33 pm

While these are not in my affordability I aplaud the developers . This is the technology development that this country is famous for. In the face of the governmental medical cuts, payments to Doctors, Pharmacies, Hospitals, this technology development is in danger of being subdued . The incentive to delelop these are certainly monitary and also to provide a better life in the process for our people. While the developers certainly deserve to benefit from all their hard work, as a past rule as each generation of them passes the prices come down because the development costs are more and more paid for. (Look at LCD High Defination TV’s) It also at some point instigates similar devices and once that happens, then competition shall drive the price down. LOOK AT THE BRIGHT SIDE. Someone has finally found the technology for something here-to-for not available at even a million dollars. HORRAY FOR YOU. Now if the rest of us can just keep the corrupt government out of the health care industry, We can continue to benefit in the future.

Comment by Robert Smith — August 26, 2010 @ 5:12 pm

I have a 90 decible loss in one ear. Hearing aids only helped with direction of sound. The price is way too high for a retired Nurse.

Comment by Paul Couzens — August 29, 2010 @ 8:55 pm

I noticed several people posting cochlea implants vs esteem hearing implant. A cochlea implant is for INNER ear hearing loss as the esteem hearing implant is for middle ear hearing loss. They really are two different devices for two completely different types of hearing loss.
For someone that has had sensorineuro hearing loss since the age of three and has been utilizing hearing aids for the past 24 years I can definitely say I have tested the hearing aid technology. First of all you get what you pay for regarding hearing aids. The more expensive the better they are in my opinion. Secondly at $30,000 an ear to someone who has missed out on so much (which you wouldn’t know unless you have had loss for numerous years) I would and am going to pay the $60,000 to finally be able to hear again. As a RN I can’t tell you what a relief and mixed emotions I had when my husband told me about this…..Finally, to be able to hear again!

Comment by Kristin Lueck — September 2, 2010 @ 5:58 am

Does anyone know if a person with nerve damage in one ear would be able to benifit from this device ?

Comment by kk — September 4, 2010 @ 12:47 am

i have a grandaughter that would benifit so much from these. she is 16 and has the stigma of wearing aids. she has worn them sence 3 years old. is their any help for her to get these. she is on medicaid and i know they wouldnt help.

Comment by Marilyn Royalty — September 10, 2010 @ 11:11 am

I experience very loud ringing in my right ear and moderate ringing in the left. I am told this comes with the profound hearing loss,which I have been suffering with for several years now. I would hope this type of implant is the news I have been waiting to hear. Hopefully insurers will recognize this much needed technology to help offset the cost. Any comments about the ringing from recipients of this device? Does it help reduce the level of tinnitus?

Comment by Terry — September 10, 2010 @ 11:14 am

I agree with ‘Disappointed’ regarding the cost. We now have portable electronics such as cell phones, IPods, lap top computers,etc. with multi-gigabits of availability that can do wanders and that can be purchased for mid hundreds of dollars. Today we can take pictures while standing on a corner and send it to the other side of the world on a device that cost two hundred dollars. But a small device to amplify the sound, ummm that has to cost thousands even though it is based on much the same technology. Hearing aids are fundamentally the same as the electronics components of the other noted small hand held ‘toys’. The only real difference is ‘hearing aids’ are called MEDICAL DEVICES and therefore can some how be justified for a multi-thousand dollar price tag. And, as for the prices to come down. Hardly, since the hearing aids are considered MEDICAL DEVICES, the price is fixed to health care industry cost recovery and we all know how health care cost have came down. Right ???? So, as health care goes up so do the cost of Health care devices. Anything related ‘medical’ in the U.S. is price inflated. We won’t go into price comparisons for prescriptions and healthcare inside the U.S. vs/ International costs. Yes, ‘Disappointed’, I agree. In the U.S. It is seemingly justifiable when the word ‘Medical’ is attached to a product it gives a company carte blanche to inflate the price by 2000%.

Comment by Hank Canady — September 11, 2010 @ 2:08 pm

It was difficult to get cochlear implants to be covered by insurance in the early days, but now it is quite common. I would imagine that since it is implantable, like the CI, that things may change as insurance companies receive more pressure. I am wondering if it is geared to replace CI, or if it would help those with a profound loss, and if the the product improves and is a solution for the profoundly deaf, will they be able to replace a CI with this product?

Comment by Brittany Kohler — September 16, 2010 @ 12:05 am

I saw someone ask about nerve damage in the ear. Can someone answer that question. Are you a candidate for esteem if you have nerve damage?

Comment by cindy seneca — October 1, 2010 @ 6:07 pm

I am wearing $6500 hearing aids . I avoid crowds I never new why when growing up I am 53 now I would love to try esteem I skydive I can play a guitar and sing . But I am afraid of what I don’t understand when just trying to converse with 4 to 6 other folks . Hearing loss almost defines who I am . At 30 Grand a pop I dont see it or hear it happening .

Comment by Guy Dixon — October 5, 2010 @ 12:56 am

what’s their ticker symbol ??

Comment by PerU — October 20, 2010 @ 3:49 pm

Sounds like the real deal…hearing aids are uncomfortable, unreliable (especially in noisy atmospheres) and sound like you’re in a room with walls made of tin. This procedure would absolutely completely change my life. Only problem….30k a ear? Yikes…maybe if I win the lottery. : \

Comment by Cruiser — October 20, 2010 @ 9:40 pm

You can thank the FDA for the very high prices to introduce new technology to the medical field. I have worked in the Medical Device Industry for 27 years, and the requirements of testing in animals and humans has become more and more prolific. While this can improve the probability of safety in humans, it SIGNIFICANTLY drives up the cost to get a device approved and ready for sale. This company states is has invested over $100 million to get this device to market. The cost of the device is not $30k, that is the cost of the PROCEDURE + DEVICE. A physician must implant the device inside the skull and you don’t want a bargain priced doc doing that! The hospital typically jacks up the device cost 3x to the patient and don’t forget all the nurses, techs, anesthesia, band aids, iv’s ETC that are used during the procedure. Did you know the current FDA is now requiring a check for $100k to accompany the package of data that a company submits for FDA review? Just to read the data and determine if there is enough data to approve it. So yes, it is expensive – but a lot more goes into the procedure than the cost of a simple amplifier….. I am going t see if my mom is a candidate and we kids will all chip in to make this happen for her – in the years she has left!

Comment by AZgirl — December 9, 2010 @ 6:23 pm

I cannot understand why a person has no problem going out and buying a new car for more than $30 grand but when it comes to personal health and the enjoyment of one’s life, it is as if a person feels the price is too high or the cost should be less or someone else needs to pay for it. . Think about the technology involved in designing this and the cost to produce. Where is the praise for the genius? I wait every day for praise for our doctors who save lives everyday. Yet the price is always “too high” for us to pay a doctor. Why is the price not too high for a house or a car? Everyone seems fine buying these things but a tiny device in the ear…….please. By the way, Rush explained today that the reason he cannot use these devices is because he has zero hearing. One must have some residual hearing for this technology to work. Perhaps one can borrow the money like one does for a car and pay off the cost of this device in a few years. I think it is well worth the cost. Forget the new car. I would wait for an extra 4 years and keep my car until it was 8-10 years old. Grumpy in Texas….tired of hearing people complain about costs of items like this….this is more valuable than a diamond! Just saying . Think about your football players in the NFL………we pay high prices for tickets to “games” but hate paying the doctor his due. What is wrong with our value systems? Praise the comment above

Comment by Barbara — January 10, 2011 @ 10:25 pm

I had the implnat done on January 4th, now am waiting to get it turned on in early march, I had it done in Newport Beach, Ca by Dr.Shohet, who has done about 65 or so of the implants, he has had very good luck with the implants, says it could up to a year to get the full use of it and says I will hear things that I have not heard for 25 years, I am 74 years old and have not been able to hear in crowds or even tv with hearing aids, which cost 0ver $5000.00 and only last 2 or 3 years and need tuning and repair yearly or more and batteries every week.

Vern

Comment by vern salzl — January 14, 2011 @ 12:11 pm

I have hearing loss since I was in the second grade, I am now 52, very active in spite of the fact I have had cancer and a bone marrow transplant. By the grace of God I have been cancer free for almost twenty year. Unfortunately, at this cost and my age I will never see the benefit of this technology. My hearing has held me back in job promotions because I cannot hear well enough in meetings, etc. to do the things required. My last two aids cost me $7000…maybe one day the price will come down….hopeful.

Comment by Tammy — January 19, 2011 @ 1:47 pm

The 30K price tag is high compared to a 6K operation that does the same thing using titanium hydroxyapatite Dornhoffer PROP implant for ossicular chain reconstruction in the middle ear. Besides, this operation is covered by most insurance policies. The implant is very small and connects the three small bones in the middle ear to the cochlea. These bones hammer, anvil and stirrup (stapes) need to connect to each other. The stapes capitulum needs to vibrate when connectd to the cocklea. This implant does the trick. I had this procedure done in September an hearng is greatly improved and no rejection since implant is bone on bone connection.

Comment by Dan — January 19, 2011 @ 3:29 pm

Barbara, I was concerned about the $30K cost until I read your post. It does come down to priorities. I would give anything for my daughter to hear. She was diagnosed with sensorineural bi-lateral loss at 17 mos. of age and will turn 30 next week. I’m hoping to hear from Envoy before her birthday with news that she is a candidate for the procedure. If she is, I will figure out a way to pay for the procedure so she has a chance of hearing. I’d give almost anything in the world for her to hear her 3 year old son as he grows up. I want her to enjoy music like I do. I want us to be able to talk on the phone without it ending in “text me” because she can’t communicate anymore. Most of all, I want her not to feel isolated and depressed because of the constant frustration from having to cope with hearing people not understanding her and what it’s like not to hear. I have hoped for this medical breakthrough since she was a baby. I applaud the doctors and medical researchers for their efforts and will make payments for the rest of my life, if necessary, to make sure she gets this surgery

Insurance companies should be ashamed for not covering this procedure. Hearing is an invisible disability, so its importance is overlooked. It’s not like cosmetic surgery. Hearing is essential, just like seeing, and insurance carriers cover eyeglasses and lasik, pace makers, etc. We need to petition our legislators to get insurance companies to cover this procedure.

Comment by Sandy — January 19, 2011 @ 10:31 pm

I am 75 and have had Meniere’s Disease ieft ear since fifties when in the Air Force. Lost about 85-90 % of hearing. I think this Esteem would help me and the company says it will after a lot of examination. Too bad VA will not pay even a part of it since am 100% service connected. I think the battery for the Esteem is 2k from what I read, so 30k plus 2k after six or eight years is a lot, but to hear in stereo again after so long would be a miracle. I just cannot wear the hearing aids. Esteem is the only way to go, but $$$$$$$ is a problem.

Mario 1-31-11

Comment by mario scorza — January 31, 2011 @ 4:37 pm

I would love to have the Esteem Hearing Implant, we’ve raised three kids and now foster/adopt three girls and I miss out on so much of their conversations and my husband is so tired of repeating things to me three times. I had to quit my job in the medical field because it became to difficult to hear conversations, but I love staying home and helping out the girls, and I stay busy taking them to appointments and such. Hearing aides trigger migraines so much of the time so I’m unable to wear them. I’ve had hearing loss for 48 years (my present age), I’ve been passed by for promotions I’ve earned in the past because of my hearing loss. Hearing loss really does effect even the most secure person’s self-esteem, because people don’t see the hearing impaired person as equal to a person with normal hearing ability, you have to do 200% better on the job to receive half the recognition, and you still get passed by for promotions. Bottom line for my family is I know we can’t afford the Esteem Implant and still put food on the table.

Comment by Stacy Arnold — February 10, 2011 @ 1:15 pm

This deivce sounds a lot like the Maxum Hearing Implant. There’s an implant and an “in the ear” component. The cost is only around $8000. The Envoy sounds better since there is nothing in the ear…but…$30,000? It sounds like the cost savings of having something in my ear (but having the same benefit of hearing better) is far more worth it…that’s $22,000 still in my pocket!. That’s a lot of savings. That to me is worth it (still having something in my ear – but hear much better). Hey Envoy, bring your costs down…it sound like that’s the reason of holding people back!

Comment by Bill — February 12, 2011 @ 5:37 pm

I am 18 years old and I have Alport’s Syndrome, a kidney disease that causes sensorineural hearing loss. I will be graduating in June and then heading to college in the Fall. I cannot go to college and be successful if I do not have help with my hearing…To me, hearing aids are not an option. I have not found anyone who “likes” their hearing aids. I am still so young and I’d like to live my life like any other person. I think Esteem would be perfect for me. However, my family does not have 30,000 dollars to give to me. They don’t even have the money to be sending me to college, I will be doing that by myself..

Comment by Chelsea — February 21, 2011 @ 3:51 pm

It sounds wonderful. I know I have hearing loss. Not great, but I know it is there. I need the TV much louder than anyone else in the room and I miss some things in conversation, but I could never afford it even with payment options. I sometimes put food o a credit card and know I could never afford even a regular hearing aide. But God Bless those who can afford to have it. It just has to be a wonderful blessing to them. Good luck

Comment by Emily Armstrong — March 1, 2011 @ 10:42 pm

Will this help with “sudden hering loss.. one ear”. I woke up after a 15 minute nap and had “sudden hearing loss one ear”. 3 month ago – no improvement and hear nothing. Will this help?

Comment by Jim — March 20, 2011 @ 9:39 pm

At 66 with hearing loss for 20 years I can identify with most of the posts. Doing a search for “Esteem” and “Copay” I see that insurance will pay based on “self-esteem” for breast and penile implants. I have already forfeited my self-esteem by withdrawing from social events, I have no idea what’s going on at public events and have to humiliate myself when I give the wrong answer to questions I don’t understand. At 20k per year I could scrape together half from savings but it’s not fare to my family to spend the emergency fund just on me. Let’s hang in there maybe something will break soon.

Comment by Rich — April 23, 2011 @ 3:29 pm

I was born deaf and I am 39, mother of 2 young kids. I have sensonuerial hearing loss in both ears, been wearing behind the ear aides all my life. With this Esteem implant, this would change my life completely but the cost – well… I wouldn’t have a clue how much it would cost in Australia!! Make my dream come true please.

Comment by Esther Leak - Australia — October 2, 2011 @ 12:37 am

How do we find out if there are other options that become available or the price drops?

Has anyone had any success with insurance or Medicare covering a portion?

Is this implant available overseas at a much lower cost?

Comment by Pauline Miller — November 10, 2011 @ 10:30 pm

To answer a previous question, “nerve damage” is usually just and outdated term for a sensorineural hearing loss so yes, it wouls be possible to be a candidate for the Esteen Implant. There are other factors involved though including your speech discrimination score. A previous comment also said that this implant is for those with “middle ear heaing loss”. This is untrue. The middle ear has to be functioning properly for this device to work.

Comment by jan — November 24, 2011 @ 6:58 pm

I am currently wearing the Lyrics hearling sytem and considering switching to the Envoy Esteem. I would welcome your comments or advice. Thanks

Comment by Gordon — December 4, 2011 @ 6:50 pm

According to Rush, the Esteem WILL NOT WORK in any ear (like both of his) that are totally otherwise deaf.

Comment by Mike Westall — December 15, 2011 @ 8:53 pm

A cochlear implant is an inner ear implant and the Esteem® is a middle ear implant. They address different degrees of hearing loss. A cochlear implant is for the profoundly deaf (greater than 90+ dB of loss). The Esteem® is indicated for moderate to severe hearing loss (40dB to 90dB).

Comment by Hallie, Florida — January 6, 2012 @ 12:30 pm

All of your posts have been interesting and informative regarding the benefits of the Esteem implant. I would like to hear from anyone who has had problems and what they were. Just heard about this system 2 days ago and am spending hours on research. Hope you can help us.

Comment by Risa Meyerson — January 7, 2012 @ 1:07 pm

echnology sounds interesting but I have concerns about the company and their commitment (and knowledge) about the deaf. For example on their website they have a tab where you can watch interviews with Esteem reciepients. If you have significant hearing loss, how are you supposed to hear an interview with someone who had the device implanted? Company should make sure they know the needs of their customers!!

Comment by Mike Pencola — January 11, 2012 @ 10:38 am

Umm Barbara, you come off as a godley offensive person by stating what you have said. Not every working class american is rich and most only make about $60,000 a year. My aunt is a teacher a makes about that a year. So if a person isn’t extremely wealthy, then they simply cannot afford the devices. Period. A house is nessisary because no one wants to live on the streets homeless. A car is nessisary if you live in suburbia areas like the south so you critisizing others is a poor misjudgement and a juvenile imature opinon..A lot of elderly people with hearing lost live on social security and disability making only about $1000 a month {$12,000 a yr. If you didn’t do. The math}on average and get government assistance to cover the rent . These things are simply not affordable for blue collar working class or retired Americans. That. Is is all! So some personal statements are better keep to themselves..

Comment by Bryan — February 7, 2012 @ 5:35 pm

The Esteem and Cochlear Implant are for 2 different reasons as stated above. However, the misconception is that the Esteem can’t be used for a sensorineural hearing loss. Not true…that’s exactly for what it is used. To be a candidate for a Cochlear Implant you need to be deaf for at least a very severe hearing loss and not benefit from hearing aids. To be a candidate for the Esteem, you need to be in the moderate to severe hearing loss range. Rush Limbaugh doesn’t have the Esteem because he’s “deaf”. My question is, if Rush has cochlear implants and not the Esteem, how can he promote it? It’s like comparing apples to oranges. This may or may not be a great device, I think the jury’s still out but just beware and don’t believe everything you “hear” (pun intended).

Comment by Milo — February 9, 2012 @ 12:24 pm

Before you go rushing out to get an Esteem implanted do your research. As with any new medical arena, there have been bugs to work out. The latest phase of the Esteem is much better but there are some people that don’t receive any more benefit from it compared to hearing aids, at least not under normative test conditions. I believe that we are on the right track and this is the wave of the future. But, are we there yet????

Comment by George — February 9, 2012 @ 7:48 pm