Q: Should I stop using the first implant temporarily, in order to encourage the recently implanted ear to hear?

A:  Professional opinions differ on whether or not a newly implanted bilateral recipient should immediately wear both external sound processors or wear only the second sound processor for a period of time.  A primary reason for implanting the second side is to foster development of hearing from both ears.  Denying access to the first side for an extended period of time may not be beneficial.  However, there might be benefit in working with the second ear only during therapy sessions in addition to daily living using both sound processors.  This should be discussed with your cochlear implant audiologist and surgeon.

Q: How do you program two external devices?

A:  Sound must be comfortably loud when both devices are worn.  If you/your child has already been using an implant on one side for some tie, programming the second is relatively straightforward and the programming process is familiar.  For recipients who receive two cochlear implants during one surgical procedure (simultaneous), the initial activation is similar to that experienced by unilaterally implanted recipients.  However, it will take more time during your audiological visit in order to program both sides and to ensure that the devices are balanced.

Cochlear's audiological software is specially designed to get the best results for bilateral recipients.  Using this software, called Custom Sound, your audiologist can adjust and balance both processors at the same time to quickly find the most comfortable loudness for each ear.  They can also fine-tune the frequencies for both processors together, to make sure that sounds are perceived at the same pitch by both ears.  At any time in the programming procedure, your audiologist can switch from one ear to the other at the click of a button.  These features, which are unique to Cochlear, ensure that bilateral recipients get the best possible outcomes from their systems.