Do you wonder what it would be like to upgrade your sound processor? Who better to answer than someone who has recently upgraded?
“I was excited to get Nucleus® 8 because it’s the latest technology. Of course I wanted that!” says Susan, a retired grandmother who lives in the US and who recently upgraded.
An easy adjustment
“I could understand speech immediately. For a few weeks or months, I noticed that my ears heard differently; one was much higher pitched, and the other deeper. But together, they blended and I rarely noticed the differences. Now, I think I hear from both ears with nearly the same pitch. Since my left ear is implanted for less than a year, and my right ear switched from the Nucleus® 7 to Nucleus® 8, I am thinking that my brain simply needed time to consolidate things.”
Clearer hearing in more situations
Susan describes her hearing as clearer than ever and without any special aural training.
“I just put them on and went,” she says.
“The biggest change is that, in most cases, I can understand in restaurants, especially if there is low background music. My cousin, whom I see frequently, commented while we were in a restaurant that she doesn’t need to repeat as often.
“It’s also easier to understand my grandchildren, who used to be such a challenge to hear. Children speak while running around, while playing with their toys, while the TV is on, and while just being kids. Their diction is not always clear, especially when they are toddlers and preschoolers. But now, I rarely notice a problem. With the Nucleus® 8s, I know that I am hearing more of what they have to say, and that is a gift to me.”
Favourite features
“Compared to the Nucleus® 7, I like the clarity of sound. Music is better and the variety of music that I can enjoy is wider.
“Recently, we had the opportunity to attend a small concert of the Vienna Boys Choir. The setting was very intimate. This group of 24 boys had such sweet voices, and I could make out the individual singers who had special parts in the performance. I was moved to tears, and this truly was a highlight of our vacation last summer!”
Susan is a keen hiker and says the Outdoor setting is “awesome” for those environments. “So many things to hear, and now I feel that I likely would hear a rattlesnake’s rattle, which is a huge benefit.”
Streaming, accessories and the Smart App
“When I make or receive a phone call on my iPhone, my phone automatically streams. Nothing special is required to start streaming, once the phone and the sound processors are connected. Likewise, when I listen to a podcast, audiobook, or any web-based audio content, my phone automatically starts streaming. I also stream FaceTime, YouTube, Facebook, and other websites.
“With the Mini Mic 2+, I stream movies from my Kindle Fire, listen to my husband and others in the car, and listen to doctors. I also use it to hear tour guides and recorded audio tours, when I can plug their device into the MiniMic 2+. I love all of these features!
“I love the TV streamer and can easily hear the TV now, but I prefer to also use closed captions.
“I like being able to hear at the pool because of the swim kit. I’m no longer left out of conversations and can hear my grandkids while we’re at the pool.”
Susan uses her phone and the Nucleus® Smart App to control her Nucleus® 8 sound processors.
“I like that I can control some features of the Nucleus® 8 and accessories with my Apple watch. That’s very convenient. With my Apple watch, I can control the volume of my sound processors, select which programme to use, and select my sound source. Also, I can see the battery charge level for each processor.”
Susan’s verdict
When asked for her verdict and what she’d say to someone considering an upgrade, Susan was enthusiastic.
“I would say, go for it. The processors get better and better, and I certainly want to maximise my hearing possibilities. There is a learning curve, and patience and dedication is required. I would encourage others to be open to new technologies and to involve others around you for help.
“I would like to understand what the sound processor is capable of. Sometimes I feel as if there are features that I might like but I don’t know to ask. I wish that I was implanted earlier, and I wish that I went bilateral sooner. Family life is easier, and family is what matters the most.”
