Travelling with your Cochlear Implant

2. What should I take with me?

• When you travel, make a plan in case you need assistance with your sound processor or MAP.
• If you have a back-up sound processor, make sure you take it with you, and that it has been programmed with your latest MAP.
• Also remember to take a suitable AC adapter for your battery or remote assistant recharger, and take basic spare parts with you.
• Take a copy of your most recent MAP (a print out from your Audiologist will be sufficient).
• Check the Find a clinic function before you leave, so you can identify clinics along your travel path in case you need urgent assistance.
• To cover yourself against the loss or accidental damage of your sound processor, there are options like insurance or service contracts in some countries. Please contact your local Cochlear office or distributor for more information.
• And finally take your Patient Identification Card that’s provided in your product documentation. This card is available in multiple languages

3. Will anything happen to my sound processor when I walk through airport security?

Not usually, and you should leave your processor on in case the security guard needs to speak to you. If your processor is set on the telecoil “T” setting, you may hear some buzzing, which is just harmless electromagnetic interference. You may prefer to turn your child’s processor off before walking through airport security, so they are not alarmed by any buzzing they may hear.

4. What should I do with my spare sound processor when I fly?

 Switch your spare processor off, keep it inside a carry-on bag and place the bag onto the conveyer belt at airport security. Never place your processor directly onto a conveyer belt, as static electricity may build up on its surface and corrupt the MAP. The x-ray machine should not affect your MAP when the processor is turned off.

Note: A low-level x-ray is used to screen carry-on luggage. The x-ray will not harm your processor or the MAP. Never put your spare processor into checked baggage as this could expose it to damaging x-rays.

5. If the metal detector alarm goes off, what should I do?

If the alarm goes off for no other apparent reason, don’t worry if security uses a handheld wand to screen you. The wand will not harm your cochlear implant, but it will beep when it passes over your sound processor. Show security your Patient Identification Card, and explain that you have an implanted medical device for hearing. Tell them that the sound processor is a hearing instrument that you must wear with your implanted medical device.

6. Should I tell anyone on board the plane about my cochlear implant or my hearing loss?

 Your processor is considered to be a medical portable electronic device, so you should notify airline personnel that you are using a cochlear implant system. Then they can alert you to safety measures which may include the need to switch your processor off.

7. Will my implant transmit signals that can interfere with the plane's navigational instruments?

Your implant can not interfere with the plane’s navigation or communication systems. Although your implant transmits radio frequency (RF) signals, they are very short range and would be limited to a distance of less than five feet from the external coil.

8. Like other electronic devices, should I turn off my sound processor during take off and landing?

You may be required to switch off your sound processor so check with your cabin attendant. If you have a remote control for your processor, this should be switched off.

9. How can I listen to the in-flight music or watch a movie?

There are many ways to access a plane’s audio system. One option is the TV HiFi Cable. This connects directly to your sound processor and has surge protection. (See your processor’s user manual for information about connecting the TV HiFi Cable to your processor.)

Please contact your airline to ask about connecting to their entertainment system, as you may need to purchase an adapter from an electronics supplier if their system uses a 2 or 3 prong socket. Before travelling, speak to your clinician about the various options for microphone mixing to guarantee the best sound quality for your personal listening requirements.

10. What if I'm moving to a different location to live?

If you’re moving, make sure you put Cochlear on your list of companies to inform of your new address.

• We need your current details in case we need to contact you.
• It’s important to register in your new location (you can do this by finding a relevant clinic near you, especially if you move interstate or internationally, so that we can continue to support you with service and repairs.