Upgrading offers many advantages

Hearing well is integral to feeling included in life. Whether you received your hearing solution a few years or decades ago, Cochlear is continually innovating our sound processors to help you to hear clearly and connect with what you love.

Frequently asked questions 

1. When should I upgrade my sound processor? 

Replacement or upgraded sound processor is considered medically necessary when the device is out of warranty, and at least one of the following applies:

1. Device is not fully functioning

• Non-functional—device fails to power on
• Coil is frayed or broken
• Microphone is broken

2. Activities of daily living (ADLs) are not being met. Examples include:

• Hearing while operating a vehicle or bicycle
• Engaging on the phone/video calls
• Participating in group discussions at school or work

3. Reduction in performance

• Intermittent hearing – occurring Xtimes per day for X duration – resulting in missed critical conversations or safety risks
• Diminished battery life – device stops functioning during the day leaving recipient without sound
• Poor sound quality

Some payers have guidelines that may limit the quantity or frequency with which a sound processor replacement will be covered. For example: one replacement sound processor every five years.

2. Paying for upgrades

While costs and coverage vary by health plan, we're here to help answer your questions.[1] Our Reimbursement and Insurance Services team will work directly with your insurance provider so you don’t have to.^ If you self-pay for an upgrade you can trade in your current sound processor to take advantage of our trade-in allowance.[2] 

Additionally, there are other options to help manage your out-of-pocket costs like using a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA) or CareCredit®.†

3. How to upgrade

Whether you prefer to self-pay for your new sound processor or utilize your insurance benefits, you can submit your upgrade order online and Cochlear will help you each step of the way, including navigating your insurance if applicable.

© Cochlear Limited 2026.

Please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.

For a full list of Cochlear’s trademarks, please visit our Terms of Use page.

©Cochlear Limited 2026. All rights reserved. ACE, Advance Off-Stylet, AOS, Ardium, AutoNRT, Autosensitivity, Baha, Baha SoftWear, BCDrive, Beam, Bring Back the Beat, Button, Carina, Cochlear, 科利耳, コクレア, 코클리어, Cochlear SoftWear, Contour, コントゥア, Contour Advance, Custom Sound, DermaLock, Freedom, Hearnow. And always, Hugfit, Human Design, Hybrid, Invisible Hearing, Kanso, LowPro, MET, MP3000, myCochlear, mySmartSound, NRT, Nucleus, Osia, Outcome Focused Fitting, Off-Stylet, Piezo Power, Profile, Slimline, SmartSound, Softip, SoundArc, True Wireless, the elliptical logo, Vistafix, Whisper, WindShield and Xidium are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the Cochlear group of companies.

Disclaimers

^ Please keep in mind, if you choose to self-pay today, you may not be able to submit a claim to your insurance on your own if Cochlear is contracted with your private insurance provider. Visit www.Cochlear.com/US/insurancelist to see if Cochlear is contracted with your insurance provider. If Cochlear is contracted with your insurance provider, we suggest placing your order through Cochlear’s Reimbursement and Insurance Services.

† CareCredit® is a registered trademark of ©2021 Synchrony Bank. All Rights Reserved. Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. See carecredit.com for details.



References

1. Products or services billed must be medically necessary, actually performed and appropriately documented in the medical record. You will be responsible for paying any applicable coinsurance, deductible, or amounts not covered by your insurance to Cochlear. Coverage determinations and out-of-pocket costs may vary for individuals with private insurance. 
2. You may trade-in one (1) commercially available sound processor when you choose to self-pay. This offer excludes upgrade orders placed through Reimbursement & Insurance Services. Limit 1 trade-in per upgraded device.