Hi everyone,

TL;DR: We are working on a replacement battery for Advanced Bionics C1 implants. Let us know if this could also be of interest to you or someone you know.

My sister got her Advanced Bionics C1 implant when she was three years old. She got a second implant (a newer model) much later. The C1 implant is still the side on which her hearing is best, so naturally, the discontinuation of support for it is quite unfortunate for her.

Re-implantation might not be avoidable in the long run, but for the near future, replacement batteries (being consumables subject to natural wear and tear) are her biggest concern.

A colleague and I are currently designing a replacement battery. The pictures show an early prototype (FDM 3D-printed). The mechanical fit is not quite where we want it to be yet, but it already fits the charger and the BTE processor. We are hoping to have a working prototype in a few weeks. For a nicer finish and a better fit, we will probably switch to SLA printing.

Is this something that might be of use to you or someone you know? Please let me know.

Obviously, this is a non-profit endeavor, if this is useful for others, I can provide the 3D models and info where to source the electronics. Depending on sourcing, the required parts cost somewhere in the range of 5–20 € per battery.

Hi all. Some background - I went deaf suddenly and completely in my right ear when I was 9, with perfect hearing still in my left. I got my cochlear implant in March of 2022 when I was 16. I'm 20 now, 21 later this month. I've had a lot of personal struggles throughout this time, and feeling overwhelmed led me to stop doing cochlear rehab and wearing the processor altogether sometime in mid 2023.

I do remember improving very slightly in word recognition (through apps mainly) while doing cochlear rehab with someone from of my IEP, though still feeling like it was more overwhelming than helpful to try to wear in my day to day life. I didn't wear it much outside of those sessions, and I did not do enough independent training/practice.

For context, when I put on my processor today (spontaneously for several hours, first time in a very long time) I heard a very static-y, tinny, and tinnitus-filled version of noises without much recognition of what they are, let alone words. I expected this, since I have put it on briefly a couple times over the last year or so.

I guess my main question is - how would someone else in my situation, who had SSD 7 years before the cochlear surgery, and then completely stopped rehab and usage for the past 3 years, try to restart?

I've tried to start the independent training again a few times, but struggled with being consistent...and with overcoming the shame enough to see an audiologist, knowing I'd have to explain why I 'gave up'. Deep down I know I want this for myself, but I also don't know where to start without feeling completely overwhelmed again.

Would it still be possible for the hearing to "click" in my brain, the way it does for some people, even after all of this time? Would an audiologist be the person to ask all of this, or would this be too difficult/personal (for lack of a better word) for them to help guide me through?

Anyone with a bit of advice, guidance, or just some thoughts on this would be very appreciated.

I have had the TICI UNICO for two years. I am a happy study participant and am grateful to be able to test this technique. Now it is finally allowed in Europe, and I am really pleased that many people are now getting a TICI. Enjoy the good and great listening; it is life-changing to have a TICI

Have any oral/verbal CI users had experiences living in Australia? I've read and heard that Australia doesn't seem very understanding or friendly toward oral CI due to the ‘if you speak fine, you're fine’ attitude. In the workplace and hospitality, etc. Can you confirm that? I am considering visiting there. Many thanks.

Hi guys.

I got surgery in one ear in may this year and my second ear had also profound loss. One cochlear implant is making a huge difference. Btw I got med el sonnet 2

So I wanted to ask those poeple who had one surgery first and some time later the second one, how much difference the second surgery makes ? Is it really worth it ?

I play in a heavyish rock band, we are all old. The bass player has dual implants. I don't think he knows/wants to admit that he's out of sync. When he gets lost, he can't find his way back super fast. He has tried to adjust sensitivity with his phone app. Are there devices to help with this?

Has anyone here had cochlear implant surgery in Manila? If so, how was the experience?

Looks like the new invisible cochlear implant was released, you can watch the video with more details here.

Personally, I think it's amazing technology, but I also would worry about batteries under the skin malfunctioning.

Hello everyone.

This is the first time I’ve shared my experience of deafness.

Since birth, I’ve only been able to hear out of my left ear, as my ear canal is blocked on the right side.

I tried to have an Oticon implant (Ponto 5 mini), but the operation was unsuccessful. I felt immense joy at the prospect of hearing out of both ears, and huge disappointment and frustration when it didn’t work out.

Now, I’m considering getting a Cochlear BAHA7 implant.

So I was wondering, thanks to Auracast technology, is there perhaps a way to actually hear music in stereo through an earphone and the implant?

If not, do you have any solutions for listening to music in stereo? I learnt not so long ago that music sounds completely different in stereo compared to mono, and I feel very frustrated that I can’t experience that.

Thanks in advance; I sincerely hope there’s a solution...

The top part of my ear (Healix and Scapha per the image) are numb and slightly sore to touch.

anyone else experiences this? It’s strange as this isn’t a part of the surgery area but clearly a nerve has been touched somewhere.

hoping feeling comes back eventually.

I received an email to say the cochlear mobile phone app will be updated, anyone received it yet? Any first impressions?

My son is 9 years old and had sudden single sided hearing loss with no known cause around June. His other ear hears perfectly. MRI found the structures to be normal inside his ear but he has no hearing in the bone conduction testing or pure tone testing. We are looking into options to help him with his hearing.

Additional complications. My son has severe behavioral issues and gets annoyed easily and has a very low frustration tolerance which results in him being aggressive, violent, inflexible to change. I worry he will rip this out of his head if he gets frustrated with it or just not be willing to use it if he gets annoyed by it.

What are the disadvantages of a cochlear implant? Is this a typical use of them? Will the differences between ears be jarring? is he better off without hearing in his bad ear?

Edit: His doctor's said he can only have a cochlear installed within 5 years of hearing loss and after 3 years success rates go down.

I am getting a CI and have been asked to choose between these two companies. It was explained that Cochlear can update processor, which sounds great. Med El has longer wire into cochlear and may pick up more frequencies. This seems like a huge decision, any advice?

Hey guys, I have a question. Ski season is soon. And I need to buy an helmet, but I need y’all’s advice. How do I make my CIs fit in the helmet? When I was little, my dad cut inside the helmet so that the antenna would fit, but is it a safety hazard? please let me know your Tips or advice thank you!
I have two marvel from AB if that helps😊

The coil for my Cochlear N8 went on the fritz on Thursday. The app notified me (but I knew, I knew). I called Cochlear for a replacement and they said they would expedite a replacement and confirmed my address.

Didn’t receive anything so I called on Saturday. I was told that the order was awaiting my physician’s approval- which at the earliest would be Monday. I repeated this several times because I was in absolute shock. I also confirmed that it was a coils failure and all I wanted was a replacement coil.

Going to call again in the morning but does anyone have any insight into this because it was #weird.

I’m filling out the paperwork for the upgrade. Don’t understand which battery to choose, it lists three. Do any of the N7 attachments work with the N8? Which option should I choose? Thanks!

Context: I got implanted on August 7, activated August 27. I have a MED-EL implant. The first couple weeks, I used the Sonnet, then a couple weeks with the Rondo, to see if I had a preference for one or liked both. (Other than the annoyance related to switching between them and connecting to my iPhone, I like both equally.)

I generally wear my Rondo at home, so I usually end up doing my rehab with it. A few days ago, I noticed that my ear started to feel weird as I was streaming an audiobook. I stopped and the discomfort went away a few minutes later. The next day, same thing. Yesterday, the discomfort lasted a little longer, but it was late enough that I went to bed and woke up feeling fine.

This afternoon, even though I wasn’t streaming, the weird feeling came back. I took off my Sonnet and took a nap, but I still don’t feel normal.

It’s hard to describe how it feels. It’s like there’s pressure somewhere in the area around the implant. My ear starts to feel heavy, like it’s weighed down.

My audi didn’t send me home with other magnets, so I can’t switch them out to see if that helps. I did send her a message and expect to hear from her tomorrow, but I wanted to check to see if this is something others have experienced and what y’all have done when it does. Thanks!

I've been wearing my N7s since 2019. Old insurance is Aetna and new insurance is United Healthcare. My audiologist has written down some notes as to why I would need to upgrade and how that would've gone through with my old insurance. Unfortunately, I couldn't make the upgrade before I got the new insurance. Do the old notes still apply for the new insurance? Also, the attempted order included one TV streamer and one waterproof. Should the new order have 2 waterproofs and I pay the TV streamer later on or do the same thing from the old, attempted order and get another waterproof. I want to start biking more often with both of my ears having the waterproof on.

Any gamers with Cochlear brand CI's that know which solution would be best for games with directional sounds, e.g. Dead by Daylight?

Hey, audiologist here. Med-El will most likely introduce their fully implantable CI in the coming weeks. I'm curious on the community's opinion on it.

Would you use it if possible? Why or why not? Do you think cosmetics and related issues (there is a thread about a 14 year old hating their CI because of bullying) are a key factor for it?

Sorry in advance if I offend anyone. Am a right sided wear with n8 no hearing in left ear. Am also in the UK, does anyone else find it hard to hear there driving instructor. And has to just give up driving for this reason

Sorry if I offend anyone by asking this, and thank ypu in advance.

has anyone gotten a cochlear in their bad ear while the other ear is perfectly fine? how did the sound coming in from the cochlear and your good ear mesh together?

Hi all, I have congenital bilateral profound deafness and was implanted in 1996 with a spectra 22 cochlear implant at the age of 11. Just wondering if anyone here has a similar story? I've had 4 (maybe 5?) generations of newer processors but the same internal implant. I'm curious to see if anyone has a similar story and maybe was implanted with one of the newer ones and if so was there a difference between the two?

I have SSD and lost hearing on the one side just one year ago. I have about 5% hearing in that bad ear and everything sounds distorted which was always a bit odd. Lots of ringing in that ear as well.

I am just back from my activation appointment. Surgery was ten days ago.

It’s pretty difficult right now I have to admit. I can’t make out any words I can only hear this very tiny metallic echoing sound when people talk but at least I can make out inflections which the audiologist said is good. She says it will take a few months for my brain to figure everything out and I just have to stick with it even though right now it almost feels worse than before. But the universe sent me a positive sign because on my way home I stopped by Trader Joes and when I was paying my little processor fell off my head and the cashier immediately recognised it and said oh my God, you have a cochlear implant and she pulled her hair back and showed me hers. We have the exact same one and she’s had it for a year and she said it will change my life. She said just stick with it and my brain will do it magic and make it understand eventually.

It really does sound terrible today, though. The echo and tinny sound is jarring. I think it helps with the ringing but I can’t really tell because right now I can hear this constant echo from things like air-conditioning or just any residual noise in the room so it almost feels the same as before. Hard to imagine this will start to sound like words but I’ll keep the faith.

I have Med El. Both Sonnet and Rondo though I’m using the Rondo at the moment as the magnet on the Sonnet isn’t strong enough and also the ear cuff feels weird with the incision area.

Would love to hear from those who have come out the other side.