Cochlear Implants
by Cochlear Guest Author

Clinical Quick Tips: Optimizing your CI fittings with the Cochlear™ Wireless Programming Pod (guest author)

October 26, 2017
Share

By guest author: Rebecca Cale, AuD

Rebecca Cale, AuD

The Cochlear™ Wireless Programming Pod (WPP) offers an improved fitting experience helping you interact with your patients in a more natural and comfortable way while untethering your patient from your computer. Wireless programming is available for Nucleus® 5, Nucleus® 6, Kanso® and Nucleus® 7 Sound Processor using Custom Sound® 5.0.

To optimize your CI fitting experience:

  1. Ensure your WPP is properly paired to your computer. This requires:
    1. Bluetooth 4.0 as the minimum standard for the WPP. If your computer does not have built-in Bluetooth, or the current drivers installed for other hardware are not Bluetooth 4.0 use the Bluetooth Adapter from Cochlear.
    2. During initial pairing, close Custom Sound. Good software practices encourage all software applications be closed during installation or Bluetooth pairing.
  2. Prior to your fitting, determine which programming pods to use. Custom Sound® can only “see” two programming pods at a time. You may need to detach wired programming pods prior to pairing. If you have two wired pods connected to the programming computer and you would like to use a WPP, you will need to detach at least one of them prior to opening Custom Sound.
  3. Always use a fully-charged, standard rechargeable battery to power the WPP. Do not use the patient’s rechargeable battery as it may not be fully-charged and it may be depleted during the fitting session.
  4. Ensure the WPP and computer are within 9 feet of each another with a clean line-of-sight between the two devices.
  5. When you open Custom Sound, the WPP should be powered by the rechargeable battery first, then the sound processor connected to the powered WPP (in that order!). Ensure that the WPP and Sound Processor appear in the status bar of Custom Sound before proceeding with the programming session.
  6. Never share WPPs between computers. If a WPP has previously been paired with another computer, you must “forget the device“ in the Bluetooth pairing process prior to pairing with another computer. If you do not unpair the WPP from the previous computer, Custom Sound will continually search for the WPP each time the software is opened.

By using these steps, you can optimize your fitting experience with the Wireless Programming Pod, which provides a more convenient connection to your patient’s sound processor.

Learn more about the Wireless Programming Pod.

About our guest author:

Rebecca Cale, AuD, is a Senior Clinical Technical Manager for Cochlear America. Rebecca joined Cochlear in March of 2012. In her current role, Rebecca is responsible for providing education and training to professionals working with cochlear implants, along with assisting in the clinical care of Cochlear Implant and Baha recipients. Rebecca received her Doctorate of Audiology from East Tennessee State University (ETSU). She currently resides in Reno, Nevada.

The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Cochlear is under license.
Author

Cochlear Guest Author

In an effort to keep our content fresh and reflective of a diverse industry, Cochlear Americas features a mix of employees and professional partners to contribute to Cochlear ProNews as Guest Authors.

View all posts

Related Posts
men talking near bikes

4 hearing preservation conversations to consider

January 29, 2020

Although hearing preservation may not yet fully be defined, recent research developments have spurred a movement in the cochlear implant industry to more routinely consider the implications of hearing preservation in the hearing implant journey.

Have you joined in the conversation on this hot topic? Check out these 4 hearing preservation discussion resources:

TECH Talk: Improvements in hearing preservation research

Dr. David Friedmann, Neurotologist at NYU, explains how the movement to routinely consider hearing preservation has helped to progress the cochlear implant from solely a communication device to a more holistic, natural auditory experience.  He also discusses the surgical, audiological and patient-oriented perspectives and outcomes associated with the topic.

Cochlear NEXT CI532 Clinical Study Insights – Is hearing preservation possible with CI532?

In Spring 2019, sixty-five otology and audiology professionals came together for Cochlear NEXT, a program focused on learning and discussion regarding Cochlear’s CI532 Clinical Study and the respective implications of this emerging and impactful data. This proceedings summary reviews the primary talking points and output from the day’s third and final topic of hearing preservation.

Read more now!

Cochlear NEXT: Is preservation possible with the CI532 electrode?

Group Product Manager for Cochlear Nucleus® Systems Ryan Lopez explores the clinical data from Cochlear’s multi-center trial on the CI532 as well as recently published data on the CI532 Slim Modiolar electrode. Lopez highlights the various aspects of measurable, structural and functional preservation.

ProNews Blog: Preservation is possible

As we become more confident in cochlear implant outcomes, more patients with residual hearing after surgery are being evaluated for cochlear implant candidacy.  How do we manage these patients? What electrodes should be used to preserve and maximize acoustic hearing after surgery? This blog examines if the Slim Modiolar electrode’s atraumatic design and consistent scala tympani placement impact the ability of Slim Modiolar to preserve residual hearing in some patients.

Learn more!

To stay updated with the latest hearing preservation discussions, subscribe to the ProNews Blog and visit our TECH Talks page.

Kanso 2

Cochlear obtains FDA approval of Kanso 2 Sound Processor, first off-the-ear cochlear implant sound processor with direct smartphone connectivity

July 6, 2020

We are excited to announce that Cochlear has received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of the new Cochlear™ Nucleus® Kanso® 2 off-the-ear Sound Processor (CP1150). We have also obtained approval to extend our Nucleus® 7 Sound Processor to Nucleus® 22 implant recipients and will be introducing our next generation CI fitting software, Custom Sound® Pro. 

Kanso 2

Kanso® 2: Smart has never been so simple.

Compatible with our Nucleus 24 Implant Series forward~, the Kanso® 2 Sound Processor combines the latest connectivity and proven hearing performance technology1-4 features of our Nucleus 7 Sound Processor in a small, all-in-one, off-the-ear design. The Kanso 2 Sound Processor also introduces a built-in rechargeable battery for all day hearing5*, direct streaming from compatible smartphones# and improved dust and water resistance for added peace of mind.+

Nucleus® 7 for Nucleus® 22 implant recipients: Hearing has never been so smart.

Our Nucleus 22 implant recipients have been part of the Cochlear Family since 1982, and we are delighted to now offer the only behind-the-ear cochlear implant sound processor to offer direct streaming, connectivity and control from a compatible Apple® or Android™ device#.  With this built-in connectivity, patients can answer their smartphone and enjoy direct connection in both ears,‡ conveniently control and monitor their sound processor, improve their hearing in noise6, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from being able to locate their sound processor. All of this is available without additional attachments or additional intermediary devices.

Custom Sound® Pro: Designed by clinicians for clinicians.

Alongside these two product approvals, Cochlear is delighted to also introduce Custom Sound® Pro fitting software – our next generation of CI fitting software. With an intuitive new design layout and guided workflows, Custom Sound® Pro has been designed to enhance the fitting process for you and your patients, today and into the future. A new patient dashboard with integrated patient goals promotes additional patient engagement and facilitates more effective tracking of progress between appointments. Additionally, new adjustment screens help support clinical efficiencies while allowing you access to all the same power and flexibility that suits you.

Cochlear family commitment.

Cochlear is always considering the needs of our recipients. We also understand that when we introduce new sound processor technology, there are recently implanted Cochlear recipients who were unable to select this latest technology. As part of our Technology Exchange Program, newly implanted patients who have been activated from FDA approval date forward until the commercial release of the Kanso 2 sound processor are eligible to exchange one of their sound processors in the activation kit for the new Kanso 2 sound processor.  If desired, eligible recipients will be able to begin processing this exchange at commercial launch.

For current Nucleus recipients who have recently qualified for an upgrade, Cochlear will be offering a 90-day return and exchange period on all upgrade orders based upon shipping date. Within this period, upgrades can be returned for full credit, or exchanged for another compatible sound processor.  If you have current recipients who are interested in upgrading their Nucleus device, remember Cochlear is here to support them, and you. Directing recipients to Cochlear’s Reimbursement and Insurance Support Center is one way to help alleviate some of the work for your staff. Our team of support specialists are here to support your patients through every step of their hearing journey.

Key Dates:

July 6, 2020 Upgrade Pre-orders availableCochlear will begin processing upgrade pre-orders for the Kanso 2 Sound Processor and Nucleus 7 Sound Processor for Nucleus 22 recipients
August 2020 Custom Sound Pro Software releaseCustom Sound Pro fitting software is required and must be used to program these new sound processor innovations. To schedule a Software Support session, please book time here: https://calendly.com/cochlear-software-support/cs-software-support.

What Should I Do Next?

  • Join us on Wednesday, July 8 at 5pm ET or Tuesday, July 14th at 12 pm ET for a live, in-depth introduction to our latest innovations! Watch the recording here.
  • Read the complete press release here!
  • Contact your local Cochlear representative for more information.

Thank you for helping our recipients Hear Now. and Always

Cochlear logo - white

©Cochlear Limited 2024. All rights reserved. ACE, Advance Off-Stylet, AOS, Ardium, AutoNRT, Autosensitivity, Baha, Baha SoftWear, BCDrive, Beam, Bring Back the Beat, Button, Carina, Cochlear, 科利耳, コクレア, 코클리어, Cochlear SoftWear, Contour, コントゥア, Contour Advance, Custom Sound, DermaLock, Freedom, Hear now. And always, Hugfit, Human Design, Hybrid, Invisible Hearing, Kanso, LowPro, MET, MP3000, myCochlear, mySmartSound, NRT, Nucleus, Osia, Outcome Focused Fitting, Off-Stylet, Piezo Power, Profile, Slimline, SmartSound, Softip, SoundArc, True Wireless, the elliptical logo, Vistafix, Whisper, WindShield and Xidium are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the Cochlear group of companies. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

 

This material is intended for health professionals. If you are a consumer, please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.

 

Cochlear ProNews is monitored Monday through Friday, excluding some holidays. Questions and inquiries submitted over the weekends or holidays may see a delay in response. For immediate assistance please contact us directly. You are solely responsible for your interactions with other members of our Websites. Cochlear reserves the right, but has no obligation, to monitor disputes or communications between you and other members of our Websites. For a full list of Cochlear’s terms of use, click here.