CI Problems

I've had my cochlear implant activated for less than a week and its been cutting out already. Sometimes it just goes quiet for half a second then back on like its turned off and on quickly. Has anyone had this happen? Or has any problems with their Nucleus Freedom CI equipment at all?

I did get a spare of everything the day it was activated, I changed out some parts and when I changed the controller it seemed to stop doing it. Just did it once with the spare controller just after i put it on. Any ideas?

Hi!

I'm sorry, I can't help you, but I see our CI's were activated on the same day. Funny

It may not be that it's turning off. Because I'm so used to the relatively loud white noise of the HAs, silence from CI is kinda odd to me. For example, it can be really quiet in my house, then all of sudden there's a "white noise" and it sounds like it's turning back on. I realized that it was that the heater switched on. Not sure for you though. Just a thought.

Do you have autosensitivity enabled on your processor? If so, that might explain why it sounds like your CI is cutting out. It could also be a faulty controller.

it does cut out... i can be hearing the heater or fridge motor running or be outside hearing a car and it goes completly quiet for half a second then resumes. ive heard the term white noise but dont know what it means.

i have no auto sensitivity programmed yet. she just set up 4 programs that just get louder when you go up. 1 is the lowest 4 the highest. thats all i can do is change programs.

since i changed controllers it only did it that once just after i turned it back on. ill go back to the other controller and see if it starts again.

ncff07 said:

it does cut out... i can be hearing the heater or fridge motor running or be outside hearing a car and it goes completly quiet for half a second then resumes. ive heard the term white noise but dont know what it means.

i have no auto sensitivity programmed yet. she just set up 4 programs that just get louder when you go up. 1 is the lowest 4 the highest. thats all i can do is change programs.

since i changed controllers it only did it that once just after i turned it back on. ill go back to the other controller and see if it starts again.

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Since you were just activated, it is possible that the sounds that is "cut off" are the very high pitched sounds and your CI cannot detect it just yet. Since right now you have a very crude map, so there may be certain pitches that the CI cannot pick up yet. I remember that it would sound like it's cutting off, but I didn't have enough DR to reach the very low frequencies, so it sounded like it was cut off.

Or faulty controller - It's not uncommon, but not common either. I've heard a couple people here and there that get faulty controller. It's not a big deal as they can be replaced.

I would do what you said you would try. Anytime you feel that sounds are being cut off and it's "consistent", I suggest you to switch the controller immediately, then see if it still does that.

I never had any problems, so what do I know?
Hope it get solved soon!

I would say you need to see your audi. From what you described (hearing a car engine and then suddenly nothing while car is still running, then sound again) it does sound like the processor is faulty. Either that, or the connection between the processor and the battery is a bit loose. I know that with my main processor, if the connection gets turned just a hair, I can still hear but I can't use the buttons. Perhaps, if that is the case, a movement by you, like touching your ear something alters the connection just enough to halt power? Not an expert by any means..just a thought.

etalton said:

I would say you need to see your audi. From what you described (hearing a car engine and then suddenly nothing while car is still running, then sound again) it does sound like the processor is faulty. Either that, or the connection between the processor and the battery is a bit loose. I know that with my main processor, if the connection gets turned just a hair, I can still hear but I can't use the buttons. Perhaps, if that is the case, a movement by you, like touching your ear something alters the connection just enough to halt power? Not an expert by any means..just a thought.

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never thought of that. im still new to this stuff. ill make sure its in the right position tommorow when i put it on and things are tight. thanks.

and i go back to see my audi next friday ill mention it then and see what she thinks. and use the back up one too a little before i go to make sure it does ok. not even used that processor yet.

ncff07 said:

never thought of that. im still new to this stuff. ill make sure its in the right position tommorow when i put it on and things are tight. thanks.

and i go back to see my audi next friday ill mention it then and see what she thinks. and use the back up one too a little before i go to make sure it does ok. not even used that processor yet.

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Believe me..I know it is all new and confusing. I am only in month 4 of activation and just trying to get a handle on things. The connection for my first (backup) processor was so tight, I actually ended up breaking it by accident and it had to be replaced. This second one, my main one due to color, is much looser and can be "bumped" out of position if I get annoyed with it and my hair at the same time. Each unit is different, and since created by humans, can be flawed.

Maybe u need the Gorex mic cover changed ? Try that..I tried it and I was fine!

Or the Coil, I am on my 3rd coil!!! i dunno why that damn thing keeps breaking... The signs were excatly same as you described... Did the processor show up anything on the LCD??

Vivie said:

Maybe u need the Gorex mic cover changed ? Try that..I tried it and I was fine!

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A tip from Cochlear is to try a toothbrush to clean the mic openings first to save $$$. It will extend the life of the mic cover. I actually bought my CI a toothbrush all it's own.

overthepond said:

Or the Coil, I am on my 3rd coil!!! i dunno why that damn thing keeps breaking... The signs were excatly same as you described... Did the processor show up anything on the LCD??

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Are you playing rough with your coil Charlotte?

Ha ha,

etalton said:

A tip from Cochlear is to try a toothbrush to clean the mic openings first to save $$$. It will extend the life of the mic cover. I actually bought my CI a toothbrush all it's own.

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I DID NOT knew that...will definitely buy an kid's toothbrush and puut it into my cochlear bag !!!

Vivie said:

I DID NOT knew that...will definitely buy an kid's toothbrush and puut it into my cochlear bag !!!

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I was actually impressed that they give you hints on saving money. I trust a company that does that more than one that is so obviously out to get $$$.

Just some thoughts.

I have noticed if I don't have my coil centered on my head, it can cut out since the signal is not getting to the internal processor. You can try this by taking the coil and moving it off center. Most of the time it gets distorted just before it quits. I normally notice this when I'm laying down on the coil and start moving just a little.

You may also want to take the processor/controller and while watching the LCD screen, slightly twist the controller from the processor and see if the LCD shuts off. You may try bending it with very slight force to see if somehow one of the locks is broken. I have also noticed that my battery if I have crud on the terminals over time, it can cause intermittent contact. My new batteries don't fit in as tight as the old ones. You can tell this by pressing up on the bottom of the battery while wearing the controller and you might be able to hear the click with the battery bottoming out inside the controller.

Others have said coils might be a problem. I've never experienced a coil failure. I have had the coil connector come appart when removing it from the processor. My new coils are not nearly as tight as the old ones which is good. At least I don't think I will break them any more when trying to remove them. I have had the wire covering split one time.

I am happy with the durability with the processor because it hits the tile floor at least once every couple weeks and it is still working. The battery ears are the weak link when they hit the floor. I've broken several off but Cochlear has taken care of them so far. My warranty on the batteries is gone so I'll pay for replacements next time. They still are cheaper to use than disposable.

I hope your audiologist is able to take care of the problem for you.
Let us know what they find.

Speaking of falling processors, last week I accidentally knocked off one of my processors when I was outside and it hit the pavement. I panicked, but was relieved to find that my processor survived without any problem.

A toothbrush is a good idea. I've also used the cleaning brush that came with the hearing aids I used to wear.

Hear Again said:

A toothbrush is a good idea. I've also used the cleaning brush that came with the hearing aids I used to wear.

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As Homer would say "DOH". Why didn't I think of that? LOL...