Cochlear Implants 3

These flashcards summarize key concepts related to cochlear implants, focusing on the mapping process, pediatric considerations, and troubleshooting.

Cochlear Implants: Mapping Follow-up Programming

Involves reviewing patient experiences, adding new maps, and controlling programs within a week of activation.

Microphone Sensitivity

Determines the gain applied to the input signal, affecting the C-level and sound detection.

Increasing Microphone sensitivity

Improve detection of low-level sounds, but will also increase delivery of ambient noise levels.

Decreasing microphone sensitivity

Decrease intrusiveness of ambient noise, but also decreases access to soft sounds.

Volume Setting Adjustment

Adjusts the upper level of stimulation, defining both M-level and C-level for comfortable listening.

Frequency Allocation

Decides which frequencies are assigned to channels in cochlear implants, reallocating input from disabled electrodes.

Pediatrics: Initial Stimulation

Prepares parents for their child's reaction and minimizes distractions during the first stimulation.

Pediatric Set-up

The programming room should have child-appropriate pictures, games, furniture, and safety measures to reduce distractions during programming. Childs chair should be positioned so they cannot see the computer. All other people should be kept out of child’s sight-line.

Pediatric Mapping

Attempt Sound Awareness Response: to establish lowest level of electrical stimulation child can detect. Initial response is typically Supra-threshold.

Conditioned Responses in Pediatric Mapping

Responses such as stillness or looking at a parent, indicating the child is processing sound during mapping.

Pediatric trouble shooting needed when

Decreases in speech perception ability, decrease in speech production skills, sudden resistance to wear, Parent/teacher/therapist report concern for progress, lack of progress over a period of time, constant fiddling with the device

Listening checks for Freedom

Plug into implant

• Turn on the processor

• Perform listening check

• Check for intermittent signal

• Check for sound quality

• Check for loudness level

Earphones will timeout after 90 seconds

• Reactivate by pressing both sides of the

increase/decrease buttons (EA will flash)

Listening Checks for N5/N6

Device can be on or off

• Plug in monitor earphones

• Perform listening check/Ling 6

• Check for clarity of your voice and environment

• Check for loudness level

• Visually inspect microphones, covers, cords,

magnet, auxillary input pins etc.

Nucleus Freedom

Help Messages

• H1 = Battery Flat

• H2 = Battery Low

• H3 = Coil Error

• H4 = Sound/Stimulator Error

• H5 = Corrupt MAP

• H6 = Implant ID

Nucleus Freedom H1/H2 codes

The time from low to flat battery is

approximately 5 minutes

• Check battery rack tightness

• Standard rack is 3 X 675 batteries

• Mini rack is 2X 675 batteries

• Body Worn is 2 X AAA disposable

Nucleus Freedom H3 Code

(External parts)

Faulty cable/coil

• Lack of communication with implant via

the processor

• Resolutions

• Replace cable/coil

• Check optimized power settings (program

adjust)

Nucleus Freedom H3 Code

Audio/Sound Error

• Use monitor earphones

• Check sensitivity is not at 0

• Microphone cover is not blocked by debris

Nucleus Freedom H5 Code

Corrupt Program

• Try other programs

• Check availability of other programs

• Return to clinic for Mapping

Nucleus Freedom H6 Code

Implant ID (one of the most common)

• Implant on incorrect ear

• Bilateral interference

• Two cable/coils come together

1 short green flash with a pause

• Changing the program

• The number of flashes you see corresponds to the

number of the selected program

2 short flashes of green with a pause

Turning the processor on

Steady orange light

Turing off the processor

Long flashes green

Changing from mic to telecoil

• Telecoil to mic

• Using an audio accessory

Flash of green followed by orange

Locks processor buttons

Flash of orange followed by green

Unlocks the processor buttons

Continuous flashes of green

Indicates the mics are capturing sound

Flashes of orange every second

Could is off/processor is not connected to correct implant

Steady orange

Fault in processor

Corrupt program

Flash of orange when you press a button

processor buttons are locked

Continuous flashes of orange with a short pause

Processors battery is empty

Need to replace the batteries or recharge

Verifying Audibility

Involves checking if the child responds to environmental and speech sounds, using parental logs for tracking.

Resistance to CI

Notable when a child tries to remove their cochlear implant or shows less responsiveness, needing troubleshooting.

Nucleus Freedom Help Messages

Codes indicating various issues with the device, such as battery problems or sound errors.