Bone Conduction Cochlear Implants
by Cochlear Guest Author

Staying Connected: Tips to help patients connect their Cochlear™ Nucleus® 7 and Baha® 5 Sound Processor(s) to their iPhone®

January 15, 2019
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Clinical Quick Tips

By Skylar Mason

Skylar Mason

Thanks to the Made for iPhone connectivity of the Cochlear™ Nucleus® 7 and Baha® 5 Sound Processors, staying connected is easier than ever. Your patients can stream calls, music, and other sounds straight from their phone to their sound processor.

Here are some ways to take your patients’ hearing to the next level with Cochlear’s Made for iPhone technology:

  1. Step-by-step instructions to pair the sound processor and iPhone®iPhone user

Pairing a sound processor to a phone is simple and Cochlear has made it even easier with video tutorials. Click the links below to watch the step-by-step process or follow the instructions below:

Pairing a Nucleus 7 Sound Processor:

Unlock the iPhone®. Go to ‘Settings,’ tap ‘General,’ and then tap ‘Accessibility.’ Navigate to ‘MFi Hearing Devices’. Then, turn the sound processor off and back Nucleus 7on again. The Apple® device will then search for the sound processor and display it in the ‘Devices’ section. Tap on the name of the sound processor and it will bring up a Bluetooth® pairing request. Tap ‘Pair’ and it will connect. The patient will hear six beeps to indicate that pairing has started. The sound processor light will flash blue for four seconds. The pairing will be finished when your patient hears a ripple tone and the sound processor light flashes blue for another four seconds. (Note: The pairing process may take up to two minutes.)

If your patient is bilaterally implanted, both of the sound processors need to be paired at the same time. Just tap ‘Pair’ to connect each of them individually.

Pairing a Baha 5 Sound Processor:

Make sure the sound processor is turned off. Unlock the iPhone. Go to ‘Settings’, tap ‘General’ and then tap ‘Accessibility.’ Leave that page open as you turn on the sound processor (by closing the battery door.) Then navigate to ‘MFi Hearing Devices’.Baha 5

Tap on the name of the sound processor and it will bring up a Bluetooth pairing request. Tap ‘Pair’ and it will connect. The sound processor will beep with an upward trill to indicate the pairing is complete. (Note: The pairing process may take up to two minutes.)

Share this illustrated guide to iPhone connectivity with a Baha 5 sound processor with your patients.

  1. Stream audio straight to the processor

Now that your patient’s iPhone is connected, they may be wondering exactly how to use it. The answer to that depends on how they use their iPhone—the possibilities are endless!

Here’s a few ideas to get started:

  • Stream audio from phone calls directly to the sound processor
  • FaceTime® without worrying about volume
  • Listen to music discreetly- no headphones needed!
  • Watch videos or shows from streaming apps
  • Play games
  • Use it to hear GPS directions clearly
  1. Utilize the Smart App

As part of the Made for iPhone connectivity, both the Nucleus 7 and Baha 5 sound processors have apps that allow patients to control their processor’s settings—directly from the palm of their hand.

The Nucleus Smart App allows them to monitor their battery life, adjust the mixing ratio to increase/decrease background noise, track their progress with a Hearing Tracker and locate a lost or misplaced sound processor.

The Baha 5 Smart App allows them to change programs, activate streaming and adjust their processor volume. They can also adjust treble and bass to customize their settings and locate a lost or misplaced sound processor.

The Cochlear website offers a ton of resources to help recipients connect their sound processor(s) to their phone—check it out: iPhone connectivity.

About our guest author:

Skylar Mason is a journalism student, Baha recipient, and Anders Tjellström Scholarship winner. She is excited to join the team at Cochlear as an intern to tell the stories of other CI and Baha recipients! She attends the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University.

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.
The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is compatible with the Nucleus Profile Series, CI500 Series, CI24RE (Freedom) Series, CI24R and CI24M implants. The timeframe for Nucleus 7 Sound Processor compatibility for other implants depends on research and development timelines, manufacturing processes and regulatory approvals.
The Cochlear Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. For compatibility information visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility
Apple, the Apple logo, Made for iPad logo, Made for iPhone logo, Made for iPod logo, iPhone, iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
The Cochlear Nucleus Smart App is available on App Store and Google Play. For compatibility information visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility
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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.

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Newly published: First-ever global consensus on use of cochlear implants in adults

September 1, 2020

The first global consensus on the use of cochlear implants for the management of bilateral moderate to profound, or moderate sloping to profound hearing loss in adults was published online on August 27, 2020 in JAMA Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.1

According to Professor Craig Buchman, Chair of the Consensus Delphi Process and Head of Otolaryngology –Washington University School of Medicine, the consensus is a major landmark in the treatment of hearing loss.

“The International Consensus Paper is the culmination of a systematic review and a consensus process, put together to inform steps towards establishing clear and consistent guidelines, and best practices for the evaluation and management of patients with moderate to profound, or worse, sensorineural hearing loss, including cochlear implants and their aftercare, so they can reach their optimal hearing outcome and attain the best quality of life.”

The paper covers seven categories across the whole care path.

Representatives from seven cochlear implant user and professional advocacy organizations provided comments throughout the process. One of the representatives, Barbara Kelley, President of the Hearing Loss Association of America described the consensus as a call to action for those involved in organising, delivering and receiving hearing health care.

“Globally, for up to 53 million hard of hearing people hearing aids might not be enough. The consensus empowers them to explore their opportunities with cochlear implant treatment” added Barbara Kelley.

Conservative estimates suggest that worldwide, only 1 in 20 adults who could benefit from a cochlear implant have one.2,3

About the consensus method

The process was guided by the non-voting Chair, Professor Buchman, supported by four voting steering committee members. The Delphi panel comprised of an additional 26 experts in the field of CI use, including audiologists and ear, nose and throat specialists across 13 countries. The seven representatives from international hard of hearing, CI user and professional advocacy organisations provided comments throughout the process.

Learn more

Read the scientific publication.

Register to attend the recorded Audiology Online course featuring Delphi panel members René Gifford, PhD and Terry Zwolan, PhD.

Visit the online professional portal with summaries of the evidence supporting the global consensus as well as more information on the CAPAC  www.adulthearing.com

References

  1. Buchman et al. JAMA Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery1.2020
  1. Sorkin DL. Cochlear implantation in the world’s largest medical device market: utilization and awareness of cochlear implants in the United States. Cochlear implants international. 2013 Mar 1;14(sup1):S12-4.
  2. De Raeve L. Cochlear implants in Belgium: Prevalence in paediatric and adult cochlear implantation. European annals of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck diseases. 2016 Jun 1;133:S57-60.

The Delphi process and medical writing support have been funded by Advanced Bionics, Cochlear Ltd, MED-EL and Oticon Medical. The funding organizations did not contribute to the design, facilitation or content of the Delphi consensus process. 

Cochlear Case Studies – CI632 case with Dr. Sarah Mowry

May 12, 2021

Cochlear Case Studies is a new series on Cochlear ProNews that highlights relevant clinical and surgical scenarios surrounding the latest hearing industry topics and research. We’re excited to partner with professionals to highlight their experiences surrounding specific patients. This first installment features surgeons, their cases and contributing factors for use of different electrodes.

Case Study

A 52 year old male sustained direct head trauma after falling down a flight of stairs. Immediately after the fall he reported no hearing bilaterally and the left side of his face was paralyzed. He was ultimately transferred to our medical center with a diagnosis of bilateral otic capsule violating fractures with the left side complicated by complete facial paralysis and a dural sinus thrombosis (CT images shown, MRV shown). Audiometry obtained five days after the fall demonstrated bilateral profound sensorineural   hearing loss.

On day six after the fall, the patient was taken to the operating room for a left total facial nerve decompression via a translabyrinthine approach. A complete transection of both the 7th and 8th cranial nerves was identified in the fundus of the IAC, thus precluding placement of a cochlear implant in the left ear. He was brought back to the operating room approximately two weeks later (three weeks from the injury) to attempt placement of a right cochlear implant via a transmastoid approach.

The cochlea was visualized through the facial recess. A formal cochleostomy was created anterior inferior to the round window membrane as the fracture did involve the bony niche overhang. The scala tympani did appear to have some inflammation and granulation tissue; therefore, the depth gauge was inserted into the cochlear duct without removal of the stylet. Placement in the cochlear duct was confirmed with intraoperative X-ray. Once the depth gauge was confirmed in the duct and not in either the IAC or the fracture line, the depth gauge was removed and the CI632 Slim Modiolar Electrode was introduced into the cochlea.

I chose the CI632 for its perimodiolar position, MRI compatibility and slim profile to help minimize trauma in this already traumatized cochlea.  Placement in the perimodiolar position was confirmed with X-ray intraoperatively. Electrical testing of the device was then performed (see tracings). The patient did have robust response of the cochlear nerve to NRT on several electrodes but had no response on others. Activation occurred four weeks postoperatively. He had responses in the low to mid frequencies and was able to detect sound and static with speech sounds.  The patient has had his second stimulation is reporting improved detection and a recognition of speech vs noise!

Image 1. Bilateral otic capsule violating temporal bone fractures. The left fracture transected the entire 7/8th nerve complex in the fundus of the IAC precluding implantation of the left ear. The right fracture spared the IAC and the facial nerve but resulted in pneumolabryinth and profound hearing loss.

Image 2. Air in the right cochlear duct.

Image 3. MRV demonstrating decreased flow in the left transverse and sigmoid sinuses.

Image 4. Audiogram from five days after the injury demonstrating profound bilateral SNHL.

Image 5. Depth gauge in the cochlear duct. The gauge was inserted with the stylet in.

Image 6. Intraoperative skull X-ray demonstrating appropriate coiling of a CI632 electrode into the cochlear duct.

Image 7. Screenshot of a NRT obtained on the day of activation demonstrating variable responsiveness across the electrode array. This may represent injury to the cochlear nerve from shearing forces sustained at the time of fracture.

Image 8. Example of NRT from electrode 22.

Image 9. Screenshot of his progressive map at the end of programing. His pulse width was widened to 37 from 25.

Are you a surgeon who has a case study to share? Contact mcoon@cochlear.com for a chance to be featured on Cochlear ProNews.

About the author: Dr. Mowry is an board certified otology/neurotologist who strives to provide excellent clinical care to patients while promoting the education of the next generation of leaders in the field. She treats both pediatric and adult patients who have dis orders of hearing, balance and the lateral skull base. Her interest in cochlear implants as a young medical student has translated in to a career of service to those with hearing disorders. She is also the residency program director for the University Hospitals Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University Otolaryngology department. She enjoys spending time with family, traveling, cooking and exercising.

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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.

 

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