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Removing cochlear electrode while preserving residual hearing

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@jiajia said:

However, the psychological barrier still causes me some discomfort.

Have you ever tested behind the ear () form factor like Nucleus 8? There's also some esthetic personalisation features like overlays or skins:

https://pronews.cochlear.com/cochlear-sound-processor-personalization-guide/1

or

https://deafmetalusa.com/collections/hearing-aid-and-ci-skins?page=31

or

https://www.smartear.pl/pl/menu/nucleus-8-736?counter=22

or

https://www.hearoes.co.uk/collections/cochlear-implants/adult?page=2

or

https://www.etsy.com/de-en/listing/1607275333/cochlear-implant-skins-for-nucleus-8?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=all_megafeed&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAjw_eLVBhBEEiwAeaYZfIpnwh_r6ImBxLZb55FsEZDYEXsNHar25eXbWBLSrY2EotwfXf6hERoCqOUQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_21718541476_165995455805_714030245234_pla-293946777986_m__1607275333ende_704667981&utm_custom2=21718541476&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21718541476&gbraid=0AAAAADutTMdEaWvqrlMNGF8PaaKILBpMb&gclid=CjwKCAjw_eLVBhBEEiwAeaYZfIpnwh_r6ImBxLZb55FsEZDYEXsNHar25eXbWBLSrY2EotwfXf6hERoCqOUQAvD_BwE2

Oh my god, my friend, you are so clever! I’ve seen those stylish accessories in the link you sent me. I will look into them.

I don’t wear the N8 right now; I’m using the all-in-one processor. I tried the N8 some time ago, but my ears are quite small. The N8 earhook couldn’t stay on my ear — it kept slipping off. If I consider using the N8 later, I’m thinking I could attach it to my braid and use the magnet against my scalp to hold it in place.

@jiajia said:

The N8 earhook couldn’t stay on my ear — it kept slipping off. If I consider using the N8 later, I’m thinking I could attach it to my braid and use the magnet against my scalp to hold it in place.

The N8 has accessories such as the snug fit that are designed to hold the processor in place. Take a look at the Cochlear website to learn more about how to secure the N8.

The on the ear processors are not much bigger than hearing aids.

Your word understanding with is amazing. It would be ashamed to move away from that based on appearance.

I will check it out on the official website. Rest assured, I won’t give up. I will keep trying to work this out. Thank you so much for your guidance, I really appreciate it!

Edited

In reply to @jiajia

@jiajia said:

The N8 earhook couldn’t stay on my ear — it kept slipping off. If I consider using the N8 later, I’m thinking I could attach it to my braid and use the magnet against my scalp to hold it in place.

There is a Snugfit or, better for small ears, Hugfit accessory. You have to make sure about proper size of that accessories.

I recently bought Snugfit because it was on sale (not because I don't believe you @Deaf_piper), but I probably would prefer Hugfit, especially when wearing a face mask.

For very small ears, like for children, N8 is the preferred option compared to the Kanso. There is also band option or Litewear.

Deafmetausa.com should also has interesting, maybe jewelry-looking retention method.

How strong magnet do you have? Do you have any sores in coil magnet placement?

If you have long hair, things are much easier, you can choose compact rechargeable battery also, etc.

In reply to @Bimodal_user

@Bimodal_user said:

Still, given you have impressive results with speech understanding with CI and sound processor (100%...! Wow!)

Out of curiosity, because you speak tonal language, which exactly? Mandarin?

IIRC, tonal languages put more emphasis on low frequencies. There is also special fitting algorithm for hearing aids " Tonal" compared to Western "NAL-NL2" (both invented by Australians, @Hearing_Potential knows more about it).

If you have only electrical stimulation, have you ever felt like there weren't enough low frequency sounds?

I don’t have any discomfort or redness at my Magnet #5 site. I’ve grown my hair long on purpose. I haven’t really tried the N8 yet; I only tested it for one day. I couldn’t tell much difference compared to the K2, so I didn’t consider it further back then.

I speak Chinese. My low-frequency hearing is sufficient, and I can communicate normally with other people. When I wear hearing devices on both ears, I sound no different from people with normal hearing. I am post-lingually deafened, and my low-frequency hearing is preserved quite well.

I believe the N8 works great for you. I plan to keep trying the N8 later on. With my current all-in-one K2, I can’t really judge if it’s good or bad. One thing I notice is I often hear the friction noise from my hair, though the sound it delivers is loud and clear enough.

If the hearing aid does not work well for me after testing, I will just stick with the cochlear implant. It’s not a big deal anyway. It’s far better than illnesses that require lifelong medication. I’ve come to terms with it a little more.

I asked about low frequencies, because with Chinese language it may be crucial to get electroacoustic stimulation (EAS) in your ear, where:

1. low frequencies are amplified acoustically by UP receiver (preferably fitted with , if possible)

  1. and mid- and high frequencies electrically.

Happy to read you will at least try with N8. Please read about its retention method. There is really quite a selection. Keep us informed about your adventures, even when you'll come back to .

In reply to @jiajia

@jiajia said:

I plan to keep trying the N8 later on. With my current all-in-one K2, I can’t really judge if it’s good or bad.

I am bilateral CI and have both the K2 and the N7 processors. They both sound exactly the same. The only difference is the K2 is off the ear and the N7 is on the ear like hearing aids. This gives you a choice of which style you prefer with the same results.

When did you get your CI implant? Thanks

In reply to @jiajia

A Neurotologist or an Otologist (both are medical/surgical specialties) will probably be the best to ask. She will know your device and be able to examine the "installation"; thus provide good recommendations. They often have Audiologists on staff to test hearing and report back to the surgeon before any work is done.

There are some "middle ground" devices between traditional hearing aids and cochlear. These consist of a small item implanted deep in the ear which directly stimulates the bones in the ear. A traditional looking device is worn outside. I apologize but my brain can't find a sample brand name. The Neurotologist or Otoligist will know if one of these is appropriate for you.

Paul

@PJB12 said:

There are some "middle ground" devices between traditional hearing aids and cochlear. These consist of a small item implanted deep in the ear which directly stimulates the bones in the ear.

The indication for that "middle ground" devices, assuming you meant middle ear implants, are mainly conductive hearing loss due to e. g. ear canal atresia, or damage to the ossicles in the middle ear.

That's not the case of the OP.

In reply to @PJB12

I will go back to the hospital to consult my neurotologist and keep seeking advice from other specialists. I really hope I can wear a hearing aid. I don’t need outstanding hearing performance. My only goal is to achieve roughly 90% of normal hearing so I can manage daily social interactions smoothly.

In reply to @jiajia

@jiajia said:

I had my cochlear implant surgery on May 8, 2025.

Thanks

That's a little over a year with your implant. If I read your post correctly you tested at 100% word understanding with that implanted ear alone. That's really good, something to be very proud of.

@Deaf_piper uses Cochlear accessories to help hold her N8 in place. Maybe she can share how she secures her processor.

Do you use the #5 magnet with your K2? If the area under the processor gets tender or sore moving to the #4 magnet will help that. If you decide to try the N8 you can expect to use one magnet strength weaker than with the K2.

My right ear has the cochlear implant, and I wear a hearing aid on my left ear. My speech recognition score is 100%, so I have no trouble with normal conversation. My recovery has been pretty good. My hearing loss was only moderate, not extremely severe, which is why I recovered so well.

Even when I tried the N8 processor, I used a size 4 magnet, but it felt a little weak for me. Whether it’s the N8 or the K2 processor, I think size 5 magnet would suit me better. I am very active — I ride bikes, jog and enjoy walking a lot. I need a stronger magnet to keep the processor securely attached.

I use a Phonak hearing aid case to store both my cochlear processor and hearing aid together. It works well for protection, and it is waterproof. On rainy days, I can put them inside this case. Since I still have some residual hearing, I can still hear traffic sounds even after I take off the processor. So I feel safe in that regard.

I plan to book an appointment with my otologic surgeon in the next few days to ask whether I can use a hearing aid on my implanted ear. If I can get good hearing using a hearing aid, I will be so grateful to everyone. To be honest, I am not fully comfortable with the cochlear implant, and I also feel reluctant about hearing aids. But the cochlear processor is bulkier than a hearing aid.

In reply to @PJB12

@PJB12 said:

There are some "middle ground" devices between traditional hearing aids and cochlear. These consist of a small item implanted deep in the ear which directly stimulates the bones in the ear.

@PJB12 said:

No, that's not the type of device to which I was referring. When (if) I remember one of the brand names mentioned to me, I'll post it.

If you mean devices with only one part, which is deep in the ear, there is Phonak Lyric. Hovewer, this is too weak for OP's hearing loss.

Another (2-part) device is Earlens, but it consist external device, like HA and internal, which is directly adjacent to the eardrum. But it's expensive and has many drawbacks.

In reply to @Hearing_Potential

@Raudrive said:

@Deaf_piper uses Cochlear accessories to help hold her N8 in place. Maybe she can share how she secures her processor.

As mentioned I used a hugfit all the time to keep my N8 on my ear. You can also get the snug fit. My preference is the huggie I’ve used both and find the snug fit not as comfortable as the huggie IMO the N8 processor is nearly the same size as the UP and SP aids.

@user490 said:

Is this trouble adapting a common issue?

This isn't a problem of adaptation per se. It is more related to self-concept and identity. I think most persons who use hearing aids go through similar difficulties at one point or another in their lives.

For children with hearing loss we try to get parents to work on developing a strong self-concept and self-advocacy skills before they hit 10 years of age so that their identity can withstand the external challenges that inevitably present themselves.

For this reason I think counseling is the best way forward as I don't think switching to a hearing aid will address the underlying core issues that the OP is attempting to address here. It's the type of difficulty that can really hold people back in life.

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