The Angus McMillan Experience

How do you hear?

What is a cochlea implant?

Angus’s Cochlear Implant

Angus’s FM

Angus’s needs

How do you hear?

What is a Cochlea Implant

Cochlear implants have inside parts......

... and outside parts

The outside parts catch sound and send it to the inside parts

The microphone catches sounds and sends them to the speech processor

MICROPHONE

The speech processor is a small computer.

It is called a speech processor because it pays special attention to speech sounds.

It changes sound waves into a special sound code to help the wearer hear

SPEECH PROCESSOR

The sound wave code gets sent by the round transmitter (coil).

The transmitter sends the sound wave code to the inside parts of the cochlear implant.

TRANSMITTER (coil)

There are two Inside Parts:

the Decoder and the electrodes.

They are connected to each other. The inside parts of the cochlear implant send certain sounds to the hearing nerve.

Next to the decoder is a special magnet

MAGNET

DECODER

ELECTRODES

Angus’s Cochlear Implant

Angus has 2 Speech processorsEach processor is programmed

specifically for each ear i.e. The right processor will only work on his right side and the left on his left side

Getting them mixed up causes Angus great discomfort as it transmits an incompatible noise to the implant

LCD Display

The program that helps convert the analogue sound wave to a digital signal is called a “MAP”

Angus has 4 MAPs programmed into his speech processor. They are called P1, P2, P3, P4.

•P1- is his everyday, standard program•P2- is normal sound + 50% FM •P3- is 100% FM (this means he can only hear what is being passed through the FM microphone•P4- is the same as P1, normal sound processing

To change the program- press the “select” button until you reach the desired program

Note: this program information was correct November 2009, it may change in the future.

Other messages that you might see on the LCD display

H3- the coil is not making contact with Angus’s implant (this means he is not hearing from this processor. Place the coil on Angus’s head. If the coil is on his head and the error remains, it may indicate a faulty coil- which will need to be replaced)

H2- Battery going flatH1- Battery IS flatH6- the 2 coils have touched each other (this is not a problem )

BatteriesThis section is for your information only.

Angus can do this task himself.

At this point, 3 batteries last Angus approximately 2 days.

Some MAPs are more draining that others and so his battery usage quite often changes

Flashing red lightIf the indicator light is flashing, it usually indicates that there is a problem with the speech processor.

Angus’s processors have been programmed to flash if:-The batteries are flat (or going flat)

- The coil is not making contact with the implant

If it is flashing – don’t panic. It may be as simple as flat batteries.

If you cannot stop the processor from flashing be aware that Angus may only be receiving sound from the other processor – and may miss sound directed at the faulty side

Static and Water

A static shock to the processor will erase the program channels – this will mean that the processor will be useless and not transmit any sound to the implant

The speech processor is NOT water proof and getting wet starts corrosion in the internal parts of the computer

Please make sure Angus avoids water and static. If an activity is going to involve either of these, it might be best that Angus removes his “ears” before commencing the activity. If he does this, HE WILL NOT HEAR A THING. He can lip read when necessary.

Ear Gear Angus has “socks” that go over his processors made

by Ear Gear. They protect his processors from dirt and sweat and mean that we can secure the processors to his clothing

I have deliberately chosen different colours to help Angus distinguish the left processor from the right. At present they are (R)ed (right) and ye(L)low (left). He also owns b(L)ue and o(R)ange ear gear and may wear these socks when the others are being washed.

Angus is independent with putting his processors on but may need assistance to clip the ear gear to his clothing

Angus’s FM

A brief overview – please see product instruction manual for more information

There are 2 components to the FM System

The Transmitter

And the Reciever

The teacher wears the transmitter

The receiver

Angus’s Needs

Angus’s NeedsTo better understand Angus, click

below to hear a simulation of what Angus hears

This is how music sounds

Be aware that Angus may not be hearing everything

He has to work extra hard to hear in noisy environments which mean he will tire easily/ loose concentration

Without his processors on (or working) he cannot hear a thing

This simulator (internet access required) may help you understand what other children with hearing loss hear ( or don‘t hear)

http://www.audibel.com/understanding/simulator_flash.html

END