What is new with the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Kanso® 2 Sound Processor? Discover what upgrade recipients say about their experience with the new technology.
The Kanso 2 Sound Processor is a discreet off-the-ear hearing device that makes it easier for you to connect to the people and technology you love. We sat down with recipients who upgraded to the Kanso 2 Sound Processor to learn more about their experience with this new technology and some of the new features available.
What’s one thing that surprised you about the Kanso 2 Sound Processor?
Scott1: “I was pleasantly surprised by the auto-on feature. The Kanso 2 Sound Processor is designed for you to hear anytime, anywhere. If you turn your sound processor off while you sit to read a book, then get back up and walk away when you are done, the sound processor will automatically turn back on. This is also a great feature from a safety perspective to help ensure you or your child has sound when needed.”
Colin2: “I want to ensure my Kanso 2 Sound Processors are powered on. The auto-on feature responds when you do, so when you move you are not completely off the air without sound. For those who prefer to have an optional quieter setting, you can consider having an audiologist set a program with very low volume, so the sound processor is on but quieter. Then, when you stand up or move your head, the sound processor will not change programs or turn on if you’re not expecting it to.”
The Kanso 2 Sound Processor features a built-in rechargeable battery. How have you found the battery life to fit into your life?
Greg3: “The rechargeable battery fits very well into my daily life. I charge it at the end of each day like I charge my cell phone. There is even an extra USB spot on the back of the home charger that I can use for my phone cord. In the morning I wake up, put on my Kanso 2 Sound Processors, grab my phone and start my day.”
Scott: “I get a full day from my Kanso 2 Sound Processors, 6:00am to 11:00pm. It only takes a few hours for them to fully charge4. The portable charger is handy if you forget to charge your Kanso 2 Sound Processor at night. You can just wear your portable charger on your shirt while the sound processor is charging and still be hearing.”
Colin: “Charging the Kanso 2 Sound Processor is easy. I make it through a full day of hearing. There is also a new feature in Nucleus Smart App that allows you to see your remaining battery percentage, so you always know how much battery life you have remaining. This can also be really great for parents checking in on their children’s devices.”
What is your favorite True Wireless accessory?
Colin: “I love the True Wireless™ Mini Mic 2+ because it’s the swiss army knife of accessories. It helps me hear confidently in noisy environments, functions like a pair of headphones using the audio in-line cable and lets me take advantage of telecoil in looped rooms.”
Greg: “Each True Wireless accessory can be great depending on your need. The Mini Mic 2+ can give me that little added hearing boost and focus on the conversation when hearing in noisy environments. Other options include the TV Streamer to help you hear the tv better without turning the volume up for others in the room or the Phone Clip for an additional option to stream directly to your phone.”
What’s the best thing about your Kanso 2 Sound Processors?
Colin: “This is my first experience with an off-the-ear sound processor. It’s great how people don’t associate the Kanso 2 Sound Processor with the traditional look of a hearing aid. And with features like the two microphones, SmartSound® iQ with SCAN5 technology and ForwardFocus6, I hear so well most people don’t even notice I have hearing loss. It is also more enjoyable to wear glasses… and these days a mask. I’m excited to go shopping for thicker-framed glasses.”
Scott: “I love the freedom of not having anything on my ears. I forget they are even there. For work and everyday life, the direct streaming makes it so easy for me to stream phone calls directly to my sound processors. This is especially great when I am on the go, with my kids and trying to multitask in life.”
Greg: “The Kanso 2 Sound Processors just fit into my life and the technology I use every day rather than me having to fit my lifestyle around my hearing technology. The sound processors are easy to recharge and last all day. I can use the Nucleus Smart App to control my sound processor settings, track my hearing progress and even find my sound processors if I happen to lose them. I go about my day and don’t have to think about my hearing.”
Any additional tips you have for new Kanso 2 Sound Processor recipients?
Greg: “Plug your Kanso 2 Sound Processors in at night where you plug in your phone. This will create an easy routine.”
“Try out features you may not have used before like the Nucleus Smart App or True Wireless accessories. Use them in different settings to see where they may benefit you best.”
Colin: “When you are active, consider using the headband for extra retention. I use it when I run or play tennis.”
“When you first start wearing your Kanso 2 Sound Processor, consider using the safety line for retention while you get used to it.”
Scott: “You can simply place the Kanso 2 Sound Processor on your head to turn it on and remove it to turn it off. You can also turn it on and off by tapping the sound processor.”
“As with all Nucleus Sound Processors, remember to change your microphone protectors every three months. Put a reminder in your phone to help you remember.”
Interested in the Kanso 2 Sound Processor upgrade? Learn more here.
- Scott, Bilateral Kanso 2 Recipient, upgraded from Nucleus 7 Sound Processor technology. Cochlear Recipient Services, Customer Relationship Manager
- Colin, Bilateral Kanso 2 Recipient, upgraded from the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor technology. Cochlear Recipient Solutions Manager
- Greg, Bilateral Kanso 2 Recipient, upgraded from the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor technology. Cochlear Manager Customer Sales and Service
- All day hearing is defined as 16 hours, expected battery life is up to 18 hours. Battery life may vary by individual.
- SNR-NR, WNR and SCAN are approved for use with any recipient ages 6 years and older who is able to 1) complete objective speech perception testing in quiet and in noise in order to determine and document performance 2) report a 6 preference for different program settings.
- ForwardFocus can only be enabled by a hearing implant specialist. It should only be activated for users 12 years and older who are able to reliably provide feedback on sound quality and understand how to use the feature when moving to different or changing environments. It may be possible to have decreased speech understanding when using ForwardFocus in a quiet environment.
