If you are used to your sound processor it’s understandable why you might be hesitant to upgrade to a new device. Maybe you’re worried about how your new sound processor will sound, its ease of use, or the cost. To help explain why it’s worth considering, we asked five Cochlear Volunteers their top reasons for upgrading their sound processor.
Name: Cathy
Why did you upgrade?
“Upgrading means I can look forward to new technology and what it will bring. I think having the newest technology is awesome! With the most recent upgrade being able use to the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Smart App on my phone is out of this world!”
What do you like best about your most recent upgrade?
“The best thing is the smaller size. It’s so light. And direct streaming! There’s nothing like hearing music stream right into your ears or talking to someone on the phone. I shied away from that for 30 years, so imagine picking up the phone and calling someone.”
Name: Mary Grace
Why did you upgrade?
“I love new technology! I always look forward to upgrades. Every chance to hear every sound is exciting to me.”
“I am celebrating my 19th year as a cochlear recipient, and this is my fifth upgrade. With every upgrade there are new possibilities. I cried when I was able to stream music directly into my ears. The ease of telephone conversations blew me away.”
“I’m more aware of the small sounds of life that I missed before getting my first implant so I’m a proponent of upgrading because I know each time it only gets better.”
What do you like best about your most recent upgrade?
“This was my first upgrade using the Nucleus Smart App and using SmartSound iQ® with SCAN 2. All I can say is ‘wow’!”
“When I first received my new Nucleus 8 Sound Processors, I went out to dinner in New York City with my family to celebrate my birthday. The restaurant was busy and a bit noisy with high ceilings and hardwood floors, but in the middle of the meal, my daughter Melissa just looked at me and said, ‘Mom, you are hearing a lot better, and it’s noisy in here.’ I hear a lot better in noise now and that removes a lot of challenges.”
Name: David
Why did you upgrade?
“I really enjoyed the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor, however when there is an updated product from the manufacturer, in any industry (like iPhone® or Microsoft Windows), it makes sense to get the upgraded product as it is usually newer and better tested technology. Of course, personal finances come into play, but as long as one can afford to upgrade to the newest version, they should.”
What do you like best about your most recent upgrade?
“To me the difference is that the N8 [Sound Processor] is slightly smaller… and the ForwardFocus 1 feature is a lot better.”
“The ForwardFocus feature has been improved for the Nucleus 8 Sound Processor to more powerfully reduce background noise: this is very useful when meeting others [in noisy situations].”
Name: Margo
Why did you upgrade?
“For me it has always been about the technology and the excitement of the possibilities and potential of by upgrading. I still consider myself to be hearing challenged. I love my cochlear implants, but I will never hear everything in all environments at all times. So, to be able to upgrade and improve my hearing skills is a huge benefit to upgrade. As I tell people: my body continues to age, but my cochlear implant ears will be forever young due to processor technology upgrades.”
“Improvements in microphone clarity have really helped with my hearing skills. But some upgrade improvements are subtle, and some are huge. For example, the subtle improvement of a comfortable ear hook and nicer curve to the processor, or an easier time of changing microphone protectors. Those subtle changes make life better.”
What do you like best about your most recent upgrade?
“Excitement rules when I upgrade. It was so exciting to have an off-the-ear sound processor for the first time. And I was also excited to have direct streaming with my Kanso® 2 Sound Processor!”
“I also love using ForwardFocus in noisy environments when talking with a person one on one.“
Name: Stacey
Why did you upgrade?
“I find the benefit of upgrading is getting to use the new technology and having a new device. I have had nothing but great experiences with upgrading. When I first changed from Nucleus 6 Sound Processor to the Kanso Sound Processor, I found that to be life-changing by switching to an off-the-ear option. And now, with the Kanso 2 Sound Processor, things just keep getting better and better. I look forward to the next upgrade to see what they come up with next!”
What do you enjoy most about your most recent upgrade?
“I love the ease of streaming to my iPhone [without needing to use the Wireless Phone Clip], and the newfound freedom with that!”
“To have my phone calls, my music, video conferences, and more all streamed directly to my iPhone instead has been life changing.”
Learn more about the benefits of upgrading to the next generation Cochlear Sound Processor here.
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- 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.
- The Cochlear Nucleus Smart App is available on App Store and Google Play. For compatibility information visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility
- 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 preference for different program settings.
- The Cochlear Kanso 2 Sound Processor is compatible with Apple and Android devices, for compatibility information visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility.
