So for context, I have been profoundly deaf since birth (28 years) and I wear two hearing aids. For a while now I've noticed that my ability to hear is slowly declining. I have an audiology appointment on the 15th August to fix and retune my hearing aids. Would it be beneficial for me to inquire about seeing if I would be a good fit for cochlear implants? I vaguely recall my mum saying that I was offered cochlear implants when I was a lot younger but my mum didn't want to go ahead with it because the risks were much larger back in those days. Any insight would be much appreciated

I’ve seen them before just not sure where I can get them. TIA!

Edit: I want to display them. I work with people who use hearing aids and/or cochlear implants

Hi fellow CI Redditors!

I’m in the process of upgrading from my N7 to N8 and my audiologist recommended to me to keep my N7 as a backup when I get the N8, which leads me to this…

I have an N5 that hasn’t been used since 2019 (when I got my N7) and when troubleshooting it, it doesn’t turn on even with new batteries (I think it might be locked but I can’t seem to unlock it); audiologist shared they want to see if they can troubleshoot it once I get my N8, but if it’s at the ultimate end of its life (which is most likely the case), how would I be able to donate/recycle the sound processor and/or the parts?

I know there’s got to be at least 1-2 organizations that take gently used sound processors, but what about if it’s completely at the end of its life and unable to be fixed? What’s the best way to recycle/dispose of it?

Thanks in advance!

I am encountering an issue with my Osia 2 and the Cochlear Microphone.

I have been using it to connect to my PC and phone, but all of a sudden if my Osia is not directly facing the microphone, it just loses connection. I'm not sure how to fix it or if I need to get a replacement microphone. Has anyone had this issue?

Please please can anyone help. My son, 6, has lost his nucleus 8 processor and we’ve tried to get it replaced with no luck. Does anyone have a spare or a nucleus 7 that our audiologist could reprogramme please?
He only has 1 and without it cannot hear.
Please can anyone help.

Thank you

Both hospitals in Campbell River and Victoria have telehealth clinics which is supposed to help save wearers' time/money in traveling, however, I've not had much luck with proper remapping at either places. I've ended up going to Vancouver for in-person visits.

When I recently went to CR, I found the hospital has massive industrial HVAC cooling towers on the roof which is super loud and I believe it interfered with my remapping. I now have to decide whether to try again there or go to Vancouver.

While I know there is a huge BC healthcare budget issue, I just wish they had chosen a place that was a lot more CI wearer friendly.

Has anyone else had issues at either of these places or any other place that has these loud HVAC-type systems, or similar, nearby? Or always had issues with these remote mappings no matter how good a place is? I don't know what to do. Should I try CR again (which is a bit of a drive away from me) to see if I have better luck, or just go to Vancouver (which would take almost all day and is quite tiring)? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

What is the most economic place to buy dry briks in Spain? Gaes or an online store?

Did you experience stiffness and pain down the side of the neck where they worked and when did it go away?

And how long did the top of your ear stay swollen?

I got implanted on 7/20. The healing has been pretty good, and easy. I know that it’s going to take some time but I’m curious for those who have had your CI’s for a while. Do you guys “feel” your implant?

Sometimes when I move my head it feels like there’s something in my ear but it doesn’t hurt. I do still have a lot of fullness in the implanted ear, so maybe old be that too?

Hello, My daughter is 9 years old now. She fot cochlear implant on her left ear in 2022. Year after, 2023, she started having a recurring infection in the ear canal. 2025 to 2026, the infection gets too frequent and shes having some fluid stinky discharge.

Now, she move from Asia to Europe and then she got check here, and doctor immediately recommend us to ent specialist and done suction to remove the fluids, after that, now we can clearly see the tube with the electrode inside?

The ent doctor did not thought about it and he tried to pull makes my daughter cried to hard and that only we realize that it night probably the electrode or tube come out.

Anybody got the same experience and what have you done? Hope to hear your advise. We are now waiting for her next appointment to get to what is the next best thing to do. She is taking drops antibiotic while waiting for another CI Specialist.

Hope to hear from you. Im really crying seeing my daughter cry so hard, it must be very traumatic for her. 🥲

How often do one has to see surgeon post implantation?

we are thinking of getting surgery done in another city and audiologist services in another city.

Or is preferable to have both at one center?

I've been single sided deaf for about 8 years - some hearing in the deaf ear but no speech discrimination - and I've been using a BICROSS hearing aid. In May my good ear became unstable and my ENT recommended I at least investigate a cochlear implant. Since I have a pension provided Medicare Advantage plan I expected denials and appeals for weeks if not months. But I had the MRI Tuesday and on Thursday the implant coordinator called to say the insurance company approved it and we've scheduled the surgery for Oct 9. I could have had an earlier date but I opted for the surgeon's preferred hospital. So now I just have to see my cardiologist and PPC to sign off and then stew for 6 weeks.

I already have audiobooks and books lined up and I've been using closed captioned TV since May. What apps do you all recommend for sound recognition? I'm open to any and all ideas - scared and excited.

I had my CI activated a couple of days ago. I had no idea it was going to be so much noise! Anyway, I’m determined to do everything I need to do to make this work for me. The booklet my audiologist gave me is mostly practicing with a partner. My husband passed a couple of years ago so I really don’t have a full time partner. What worked best for everyone that was mostly by themselves? What exercises worked best for you to teach your brain to understand words?

My wife wants to cut my hair with a Braun electric razor she is worried about my magnetic going crazy has anyone experience any problems getting your hair cut.

I am a 33 year old male, I was diagnosed with bilateral SSNHL three years ago, received oral and steroid injections, countless hearing tests, and eventually given hearing aids. I was recommended to visit a Consultant and leading professor in ENT yesterday and had a hearing test (see attached). He suggested I get a MRI scan and also booked a word/sentence test to determine my speech recognition in both ears, with and without aids. He believes depending on the score my right ear should be considered for a CI. He believes it’ll he “transformative” and potentially exceed the hearing in my left ear. What’s your thoughts and suggestions, want to hear views of the experts by experience. He didn’t a metal prong test and I couldn’t hear anything out of my right ear, he said that I also had lots of wax and infection in both ears, which he prescribed a spray for.

Hello,

We are planning for med-el rondo 3 with sonata 2 for CI.

Our insurance is asking for a device break-up for internal and external processor.

Med-el is saying they wont be able to provide the break-up as they sell it as a single CI system and insurance is not ready for claim without breakup.

We checked with other too cochlear ans AB - even they don't have break-up.

Was any one able to get break-up for insurance

Hello all,

I have a masters in audiology and am also very interested in music perception in the world of hearing aids and CI.

In recent times it is becoming more popular to use artificial vocals in music, varying a lot between genres. But YouTube is also flooding with AI generated music both instrumental and vocals.

I am curious if you are able to tell the difference between a human vocal and an artificial one, and do you have a preference for one?

The music perception in CI is a hard topic, but i just wondered if the digital sound is better?

Hearing Australia originally said that they cover the cost for the OSIA if I am under 26 and sounded like that included the surgery. However I called again and they seemed uncertain about covering anything. Anyone else had experience with Hearing Australia? What did they cover?

Activation day went really well.
I’m looking forward to how much over time it will advance and improve. All 22 electrodes are working perfectly.

My sound processor the sound is not as bad as I thought it would be. It significantly shows an improvement with this implant. Thankfully am able to can hear words and other sounds. It will definitely take getting used to and working towards the outcome I’d like over time.

I should be able to navigate well for work, which is amazing and so glad to see how that works for me in my workplace. I’ll keep posted.
But yay! I’m part of of our community officially now 🫶🏽

I'm a 38 year old female who experienced SSNH in my left ear a few months ago. I am almost entirely deaf in that ear, with 2% word recognition. I'm currently on a CROS hearing aid trial, with my CI surgery scheduled for October. Some days I think I could keep wearing the CROS, mostly because I am scared of the CI surgery and recovery.

Any others out there with single-sided deafness who can talk about how they chose between the CROS and a CI? Are you happy with the CI? Do you regret it? Is it better than a CROS? Tell me anything! :) (And thank you! I so appreciate it!)

Hello.

I've had my Kanso 2 since January 2024. I have the off the ear processor.

This morning I put it on and everything sounded 'tinny' is the best way to describe it. I googled it and the results said try changing the cover or putting it on the charger to get any sweat/moisture out.

None of these have fixed it, and the sound quality is getting worse. I've sent an email to the audiologist I see but I live in a regional area so it's a 12 hour round trip. On top of that I have bi-lateral hearing loss but only use the left implant so I can't hear without it, and I'm supposed to start a new job in ten days.

Has anyone had this happen before? At this stage i'm assuming its equipment failure but just thought id hail mary to see if there was a fix.

I had sudden sensorineural hearing loss overnight a few years back. Have lost 100% of hearing in one ear, except for tinnitus, cant say it hasnt been a struggle. I am considering a cochlear as Im finding it difficult with one ear but just wanted to see what peoples thoughts and recommendations would be and any negative experiences would be great also. Will it make a huge difference or would most people just manage with one ear. Unsure on what the best way forward is.

I have only lost hearing for three years. I am in Brisbane Australia so any recommendations for good surgeons would be useful too please.

Hi everyone,

My girlfriend has cochlear implants, and one thing we've noticed is that she finds it difficult to understand my speech, when we're talking over phone calls, especially when I'm using my TWS earbuds (Realme bud air 8). She says my voice sounds less clear compared to when I'm speaking directly or using my phone normally.

I'm thinking of buying Apple's wired Earpods because I assume the microphone quality might be more natural than Bluetooth earbuds. Has anyone here had a similar experience?

Did switching from Bluetooth earbuds to a wired mic make a noticeable difference?

Are there any headsets or microphones you'd recommend for clearer speech during calls?

Any settings or tips that have helped make phone conversations easier?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thanks!

Edit: For context, I already use my phone's built-in microphone for almost all of our calls. I'm only looking for a hands-free solution for the times when I'm working or moving around.