Getting a sound processor replacement can be an exciting and anticipated occasion for your patients. Did you know there is an option for your patients to receive their new Cochlear™ Nucleus® or Kanso® Sound Processor pre-programmed so that they can wear it right away? This complimentary service is called Ready-to-Wear (RTW)ꝉ. Read on to review the FAQs regarding this service.
What is Ready-to-Wear?
Ready-to-Wear is a free of charge service provided by Cochlear. Before your patient’s replacement sound processor ships from Cochlear, our Hear Always team can pre-load programs onto the device so it can be worn as soon as it arrives to your patient.
What features will be added to the processor?
To ensure your patients are receiving access to the features of the latest sound processor technology, our desire is to program the processor with SCAN2 and automated ForwardFocus^ in program slot 1. Their existing programs will then shift over one slot (P1 will become P2, P2 will become P3, etc.) If a patient has four programs in their existing MAP, the program that exists in program slot 4 will be removed. Manual ForwardFocus will be enabled on programs 2-4 but would need to be activated by the recipient via the Nucleus Smart App+.
Don’t worry! This service requires your approval, which will come to you via Docusign, or your preferred method of communication, before the Hear Always team proceeds with adding the advanced features. In the Docusign, you will have the opportunity to: 1) authorize the addition of SCAN2 with automated ForwardFocus, 2) deny the addition of SCAN2 with automated ForwardFocus, but allow the addition of existing programs or 3) deny any Ready-to-Wear programming requiring the recipient to come to you for programming.
Why would I encourage eligible patients to choose Ready-to-Wear?
- Ready-to-Wear allows your patients to use their new sound processor right out of the box.
- Ready-to-Wear saves you time by reducing the need for a follow-up appointment to program the processor.
How does Cochlear load my patient’s MAPs to their new sound processor?
- The most efficient option is by using Cochlear Link, our secure cloud-based service that connects the clinic and Cochlear’s Hear Always program, allowing instant access to a patient’s most recent MAP for servicing or upgrading with Ready-to-Wear.
- You can check to see if your clinic is already enrolled in Cochlear Link here.
- For more information or to enroll in Cochlear Link, please contact CochlearLink@cochlear.com
How can my patients choose Ready-to-Wear?
- Your patients can choose Ready-to-Wear when they place an order for a replacement Cochlear Nucleus or Kanso sound processor.
- There are multiple ways to initiate an order for a replacement sound processor, including:
- Online via the online Cochlear store
- Schedule a virtual appointment with a Cochlear upgrade specialist
- Email upgrade@cochlear.com
- Call Cochlear at 800-483-3123 option 1
No matter how the order is placed, the option is available to choose Ready-to-Wear.
Are there any scenarios where my patient should still schedule an appointment to see me after receiving their processor Ready-to-Wear?
Yes, below here are the scenarios and the guidance provided to recipients:
- To link a compatible ReSound® hearing aid to use smart bimodal streaming
- If they are experiencing issues with retention or discomfort
- To adjust programming
- If they do not have advanced features enabled, such as SCAN2 and ForwardFocus
Watch this Ready-to-Wear video.
Please encourage your patients to consider Ready-to-Wear when placing their replacement sound processor order. For additional information regarding eligibility, check out our Hear and Now blog.
ꝉ Ready-to-Wear is available to recipients age 5 or older. The Ready-to-Wear service is not available for hybrid externals and certain implant types. For bimodal recipients with a compatible ReSound hearing aid to take advantage of smart bimodal streaming, they will need to visit their clinician to have the hearing aid and sound processor re-linked.
1 Internal data (March, 2025) ROI Rocket, Recipient Survey
*Surveyed recipients who upgraded from Nucleus® 7 Sound Processor to Nucleus® 8 Sound Processor with SmartSound® iQ2 with SCAN2 and ForwardFocus technology enabled.
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.
^SNR-NR, WNR and SCAN 2 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 Nucleus Smart App is available on App Store and Google Play. For compatibility information visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility
‡ReSound is a trademark of GN Hearing A/S
