Trouble-shooting Cochlear Implants Day-to-day Management, including FM Systems
Presented on 27 February 2008
Generic trouble-shooting of a cochlear implant system
Richard Hughes,
Advanced Bionics
External sound processors
Troubleshooting
Check components of a cochlear implant
- Batteries
- Processor microphone
- Processor electronics
- Cable between processor and transmitting coil
- Transmitting coil
Be systematic in checking
There may by more than one faulty component
Batteries
- Have they got usable charge?
- Look at the visual display/lights on the processor.
- Audible alarm
- Use a battery tester.
- Have they have been put in properly?
- Is there any corrosion on the battery contacts?
Microphone
- Is the microphone working?
- Use device specific listening earphones.
- Check lights/visual display on processor.
- Does using the auxiliary/lapel microphone solve the problem?
Processor electronics
- Check lights/visual display on processor.
- Check processor settings are correct; program location, volume, sensitivity.
Cable/s
- If BW processor, use listening earphones, move cable – listen for cracking or broken sound.
- Inspect cable to see if it’s twisted, frayed or broken.
- Change lead.
Transmitting coil
- Use device specific signal check accessory.
- Check lights/visual display on processor.