More information if you have difficulty with your hands

Please don’t feel put off by this blow-by-blow account of what can be tricky with the different speech processors!  Our experience is generally that if you can manage hearing aids without help, we think you’ll be able to manage your speech processor without help, though it may take a little while to get the knack.

When the time comes to finalise your choice, you’ll have the opportunity to try all of the processors hands-on, and to see for yourself which design is easiest for you to manage.

Advanced Bionics Marvel

The rechargeable battery slides on to the bottom of the processor, and slides on to the recharging unit – no twisting or pushing.  Attaching the battery turns the processor on straight away, so no on-off switch is required.

There is a switch on the top of the processor to change the programme setting.  The switch is raised and quite large, so most people find it ok to operate as long as they can comfortably reach up behind their ear.  The Marvel processor resets itself to Programme 1 when the battery is replaced, so if you need to change to one of the other programmes and you can’t do it while the processor is in place, you’ll need to use the ComPilot as a remote control.

The t-mic microphone at the front of the processor can need replacing, and it can be quite fiddly to change it.  There is a very small pin holding the clear plastic microphone hook in place which you will need to use a special tool to push out, and then line up and push back in to secure the new microphone.  If you needed help to do this and there isn’t anyone around, you can always come in to the implant centre for the daily Repairs session.

Cochlear Nucleus 8 (CP1100)

The Nucleus 8 rechargeable battery twists in to place on the processor.  You will need to line up the little lugs in the battery compartment at a quarter turn  to the base of the processor, and then gently twist the battery straight.

Once they have the knack of lining up the battery and the processor, most people are able to manage this with ease.

Attaching the battery turns the processor on straight away, so there’s no on-off switch.  There is one button on the top of the processor to change the program and to activate the telecoil if you have it.   Most people prefer to change the program using the remote control – this has reasonable size buttons and a small LCD screen to show you which program and volume setting you are on.

The Nucleus 8 has a microphone cover on the top of the processor which keeps the microphones clear of dust and moisture, but it need replacing every 3 months.  To change the microphone cover, you pull the cable out of the processor and then lift the top panel of the processor off. You then replace the panel with a new one and push the cable back into place. Most people manage to change the microphone covers at home but we’d be happy to help you here at the implant centre if you come in for one of our daily Repairs sessions.

Kanso 3 (CP1170)

The Kanso 3 has no removable battery.  The internal battery is rechargeable and a home charger is provided with the processor.  The charger also stores and dries the processor overnight.  A portable charger can be purchased by the patient if required.

MED-EL SONNET 3

Our patients are encouraged to use rechargeable batteries with the SONNET 3 (rather than disposable batteries). The rechargeable batteries clip into the recharging unit overnight.  To get to the battery compartment off the processor, you hold the processor in one hand and pull the battery cover off with the other.

The battery compartment is quite smooth and slippery, and some of our patients who don’t have great grip can find this a bit tricky to start with.  Some patients have found that using a rubber washing up glove helps them to get enough grip to pull to battery compartment cover off more easily!  Once the cover is off, the rechargeable battery clips into the bottom of the processor at a slight angle and you push the cover back on again until it clicks shut.  Closing the battery compartment turns the processor on, so there is no on-off switch.

To change the programmes, or activate the telecoil settings, you use the FineTuner Echo remote control.  This has raised buttons which some patients with visual difficulties prefer as well as those who find hand and finger movements harder.

The SONNET 3 microphone cover will need replacing at least once every 3 months to keep the microphones clear from dirt and moisture.  The cover is a small curved plastic piece which is situated at the top of the processor.  You can remove the old microphone cover using a small tool that is provided.  This can be difficult to do if you have visual difficulties or hand mobility problems. We would be happy to help you to change this in appointments or if you arrange to come in for a short Repairs appointment.

 

 

MED-EL RONDO 3

The RONDO 3 is a one-piece speech processor, where the entire unit stays in place on the magnet site, and there is nothing behind the ear.  The RONDO 3 itself is slightly bigger and heavier than the headpiece for the SONNET 3, and because of this it is less popular with our more active patients, as they find it falls off more often.  For our patients who are less active, or who use a wheelchair, this is not usually an issue.  We offer the RONDO 3 for adults.

The RONDO 3 uses a special in-built rechargeable battery. To charge the battery you must place the whole processor onto a charging pad that plugs into the wall overnight. This is quite good for those who struggle with their hands as there are no batteries to change each day.

The processor switches on using the button in the middle of the processor. This is completely smooth so can be difficult to see if you have visual difficulties. To change programs and volume you need to use the Finetuner Echo remote control (the same as the SONNET 3, above).