How do you teach your child to take responsibility for their Cochlear™ Sound Processors? Brian, father of 11-year-old Evan, shares his tips to help your child. Staying organized is crucial and essential for help care for your child’s sound processor and accessories.
Over the years they have refined their tactics
Calendar reminders and a specially chosen backpack are just two of the tricks that Evan and his dad Brian use to keep this 11-year old’s sound processors and accessories well organized.
Evan received his first Cochlear™ Nucleus® 5 Sound Processors in 2010 when he was one year old. He upgraded to Nucleus 6 Sound Processors in 2015 and today he has Nucleus 7 Sound Processors.
Along the way, Evan and his dad have refined their tactics for caring for Evan’s sound processors.
“We originally used the Cochlear insulated lunch bag with his Nucleus 5 to manage the extra accessories and backup components. When Evan moved to the Nucleus 6, we started using the Cochlear padded briefcase, which was great,” Brian says.
“When Evan moved to the Nucleus 7, we needed a more robust storage solution because we were now managing legacy accessories and components for the Nucleus 5 and 6, as well as the 7.”
Choosing a backpack
“While searching for a solution, I came across camera backpacks. They offered a durable exterior, flexible padded interior storage compartments – which are typically a bright color – and, of course, straps for hands-free transport,” says Brian1.
“I am able to store all of Evan’s Nucleus 5, 6 and 7 accessories and backup components in one location for quick access at home or while traveling.”
Brian also feels it’s important for Evan to take just the right amount of responsibility for his sound processors. “Evan handles a lot of responsibility for his hardware. He manages his wake-up and bedtime routines with his processors. He also advocates for himself at school. Evan can also do basic trouble-shooting activities,” says Brian.
To keep Evan’s processors in top condition, Brian and Evan have regular routines.
“We place Evan’s processors in a dehumidifier2 each night. We find this is very helpful in the summer months when he sweats more.
“We change the mic covers… every three months, per recommendation. His processors get cleaned periodically with a soft cloth. I also inspect them on occasion with a magnifier to make sure everything looks ok.”
Calendar reminders
Calendar reminders help Brian and Evan stay on track. “I create a recurring event to change microphone covers… All of Evan’s appointments go into the calendar as well,” Brian says.
As a frequent swimmer, Evan gets a lot of use from his Aqua+ accessories: “They get very heavy use in the summer months,” says Brian.
Using the Aqua+ silicone sleeve, the sound processor becomes waterproof and swimmable as well. The sleeve offers protection in water up to three meters deep for two hours3.
Brian’s top tips for any parent on caring for your child’s sound processor are simple: “Patience, organization and educating yourself on the hardware helps a lot. It’s also important to remember that everything is going to be ok.”
For more information about Aqua+ and other Cochlear accessories, visit our online store>
- Cochlear offers two varieties of backpacks on the online store especially designed for carrying and storing everything you need to keep you on air with your sound processor. Both styles offer 24 litre capacity to provide plenty of space to carry your sound processor accessories as well as other items such as a laptop, if needed. The backpacks feature internal pockets as well as ergonomic and adjustable honeycomb support backpack straps and waist straps. (See link below for details.)
- For dry aid kits to remove moisture and humidity from your sound processor, visit the Cochlear online store. Sound processors are not approved for use in other dehumidifying devices.
- The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor with Aqua+ is water resistant to level IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529. This water protection means that the sound processor with the Aqua+ can be continuously submerged under water to a depth of 3 meters (9 ft and 9 in) for up to 2 hours. This water protection only applies when you use a Cochlear Standard Rechargeable Battery Module or Cochlear Compact Rechargeable Battery Module. The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is water-resistant to level IP57 of the International Standard IEC60529 without the Aqua+ accessory for the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor.
