Electrode Shifting and metallic whine question

What CI brand do you have? Can this be problem with a specific brand or model?

@boreham said:

I am very interested because I have noticed the same metallic whine. I had my surgery in July 2024 and the whole process and result has been amazing. But in the last few months I have noticed a metallic whine when I touch my ear, and I very occasionally hear the same whine very quietly at night when processor is off, so it is a form of tinnitus.
Were you told the metallic whine was related to the electrode shifting?
Did you have other symptoms of electrode shifting?
How long after initial surgery did shift occur?

The biggest symptom was distortion in my hearing. In a hearing test last Oct., my hearing was significantly worse than at the previous test. The Mayo Clinic audiologist notified the surgeon who ordered a CT scan that showed the electrode had shifted. The whine was not troubling, the hearing distortion was much more significant. And yes, I heard the whine whether the CI was working or turned-off.

I recall hearing the noise not long after the Jan 2025 surgery. Then, I could hear the noise whenever I moved my head and even with each step while walking. But by late 2025, I heard if only if I bent my ear or pressed below the ear.

I think I mentioned the whine at the after surgery appointment but I do not remember whether he commented on it.

But now, the whine is completely gone and my hearing is better, ‘tho, of course, not like 20 or even 5 years ago.

To joesan: I have an Advanced Bionics CI (which has a retarded app).

Thanks for detailed reply @FredO. Sounds like it started for you much sooner after surgery and was more severe. I have no distortion or degradation. Guess I’ll just see how it goes and be on look out for any distortion. I am aware that a gradual change may not be easy to detect at first.

Thanks @joesan. I have a Nucleus 8 processor so not linked to one brand. I wasn’t sure if electrode and processor are necessarily from same same manufacturer but AI summary is:

Key Takeaway: While the electrode and implant are a matched, surgically implanted unit, the sound processor can be upgraded to newer models over time, provided they are within the same manufacturer’s ecosystem.

I have noticed the same type of whine. It started suddenly about 6 months after implantation. I hear the tone when I move my ear, and when I walk I hear it with each step. If it is quiet, I hear it in time with my pulse. Very annoying, It occurs with or without processor, but more noticeable without. Appreciate any reply’s. My surgeon ordered a cat scan which I had 2 weeks ago, but so far no follow up from surgeon.