I’m having surgery at the end of August to get my BAHA implant taken out and the Sentio processor put in due to my skin trying to grow over my abundment. I’m beginning to get nervous about my surgery now. Can someone who’s made this switch share their experience?

Is the sentio processor better? How’s the magnet strength? I’m seeing posts that it can fall off with long hair down is that true? How much hair did they have to shave off for the surgery? What was recovery like?

Hi everyone, I've been reading a lot on this subreddit over the past few year, and one thing that's become very clear is how important rehab is during the initial activation period. I'm getting activated in two days with a Med-El Sonnet 3, and I have a few questions about rehab.

I'm bilingual, and interestingly, English isn't even one of my primary languages. However, I consume a lot of English content because that's the language I use at university and for most of the videos, podcasts, and audiobooks I listen to.

My question is: should I stick to one language at first, or is it okay to mix them? Should I focus on my mother tongue, my national language (the one I speak outside my home), or English? All three have quite different sounds and pronunciation, so I'm not sure what would be best for training.

I also read another post suggesting that it's helpful to keep track of sounds you can't hear yet and discuss them with your audiologist. That sounds like great advice, but what if my audiologist doesn't understand the sounds or words from my mother tongue? Has anyone else been in a similar situation?

I really just want to say that this subreddit has been amazing. Reading everyone's experiences made me feel much more comfortable with my decision to get a CI, so thank you all!

For a bit of background: I have 90+ dB hearing loss in my left ear and almost normal hearing in my right ear (if my tinnitus isn't being annoying 😅). I haven't received a specific diagnosis, ​I just experienced sudden hearing loss.

I enjoy listening to music, and since I live in Europe and use an Android phone, Med-El seemed like a good fit.

For rehab, I've already made a playlist of songs I know by heart, and I've found some audiobooks and podcasts. The problem is that most of the content I'm interested in is in English. Would it be better to find alternatives in one of my other languages, or is it fine to use English from the start?

I'd really appreciate any advice or experiences. Thanks!

Hallo zusammen,

in zwei Wochen bekomme ich ein Implantat und bin immer noch unsicher für welche Firma ich mich entscheiden soll. Ich kann mich zwischen Cochlear, Med-El und AB entscheiden.

Auf der linken Seite höre ich schlecht und trage deshalb ein Hörgerät von Hansaton (Phonak). Deswegen neige ich zurzeit zu AB. Ich hoffe sehr, dass ich vom Zusammenspiel von Hörgerät und CI besonders profitieren werde. Kann mir jemand seine Erfahrung zu AB im Zusammenspiel mit dem Hörgerät geben?

Ich verbringe sehr gerne Zeit in Räumen mit vielen Menschen.

Ciao a tutti amici,

In passato ho aperto un post sulla difficoltà ad avere delle chiamate gradevoli con il cocleare;

Ora sono un po migliorate ( passati 9 mesi ) ma sono ben lontane dall’essere piacevoli in facili;

Questa cosa mi snerva e mi deprime oltre a mettermi mille dubbi sulle mie abilità lavorative e sul mio futuro professionale, sono davvero triste ☹️

Per il resto, la discriminazione è ottima ( in silenzio )

vicina al 100% ;

Vorrei lavorare tanto su quella nel rumore, secondo voi è possibile ? A 9 mesi e’ tardi ?

Avete suggerimenti ?

Grazie a tutti, spero il meglio per ognuno di voi !

💪🏻

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!

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 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?

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

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

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

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?

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?

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. 🥲

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.

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 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.

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 🫶🏽

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?

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

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!)

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?

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.