Cochlear N5 Processor and Telecoils

August 9, 2011

Hi All - I'm new on this list and have joined because of reports I've read

elsewhere about a telecoil problem with the Cochlear N5 processor. The reports

indicate that the processor does a less than adequate job of picking up the

signal from hearing loops. When questioned about this Cochlear officials have

reportedly told the questioners that the telecoil was positioned in a horizontal

orientation to provide the best reception for the electromagnetic signal from a

telephone ear piece. They also re said to claim the change in positioning was

made as a result of feedback from CI users. The problem this has created is that

a horizontally positioned telecoil provides very poor (if any) reception of the

signal from a hearing loos. Vertical positioning works best and a 45 degree

angle is the compromise many hearing aid and CI manufacturers choose. This

provides less than optimum reception but does work. There are thousands of

churches around the U. S. that have installed hearing loops to make their

services easily accessible to the HoH as have a growing number of performing

arts venues, meeting halls and other public meeting places. There are living

rooms throughout the country with room or chair loops to relay the sound from

the TV to telecoils while leaving the volume on the speakers low enough to be

comfortable for others. It appears that Cochlear have have made a conscious

decision to take that away from their users the ability to access hearing loops

in order to make phone access clearer and that doesn't seem like a good trade

off to me. I'm wondering if people on this list who have or are considering an

N5 have been counseled on this problem so that they can make an informed

decision when selecting an implant/processor. Has this problem been discussed

and, if so, was this telecoil positioning decision acceptable to those on the

list? O. Frazier, NM Chapter Coordinator

Hearing Loss Association of America

Chair - Loop New Mexico Committee

Editor - Wired for Sound

Hearing Loss Support Specialist

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