.png)
.png)
Cochlear Implants
FAQ ESPrit 3G for Nucleus 22
FAQs
For more information about ESPrit 3G for Nucleus 22, email us at recipients@cochlear.com or contact customer service.
- What makes the ESPrit™ 3G smart?
- Will I get the same high level of performance from the behind the ear (BTE) ESPrit 3G as I do with the Spectra body-worn or ESPrit™ 22?
- Why does the ESPrit 3G use High Power (HP) or Custom Zinc Air batteries?
- What level of sound does the ESPrit 3G provide?
- Does the ESPrit™ 3G use all electrodes?
- Can I use a telephone with the ESPrit 3G?
- Does the ESPrit 3G allow you to have two programs like the ESPrit does?
What makes the ESPrit™ 3G smart?
Cochlear continues to innovate new technology for all recipients, not just those receiving the newest implant. The ESPrit™ 3G is made possible by a custom ASIC chip, which is an advanced, ultra low-power analog-digital microchip. This Application Specific Integrated Circuit was designed by Cochlear, specifically for use in a cochlear implant system — delivering powerful processing without sacrificing battery usage time. It is Cochlear’s third generation BTE chip and builds on previous experience to deliver the exceptional benefits of Whisper and the built-inTelecoil. With the Nucleus 22 implant, our recipients can upgrade to the latest technology, the ESPrit 3G for Nucleus® 22, our fifth generation processor for this implant.
Will I get the same high level of performance from the behind the ear (BTE) ESPrit 3G as I do with the Spectra body-worn or ESPrit™ 22?
Future ESPrit 3G recipients may expect the same levels of performance as with their current processors. In the ESPrit 3G field trials, no significant differences in mean scores between the ESPrit 3G and the subjects’ own processors were found. With the Whisper setting, mean scores were significantly better for lower input levels. Whisper setting offers an exciting addition to speech processing that improves understanding of soft and moderate speech.
Why does the ESPrit 3G use High Power (HP) or Custom Zinc Air batteries?
The ESPrit 3G is designed to operate with three HP or Custom Zinc Air batteries. High Power Zinc Air batteries have 5 - 10 times the power capacity of rechargeable batteries of the same physical size. The batteries Cochlear currently ships with the ESPrit 3G are PowerOne HP 675 or PowerOne Implant Plus (custom 675).
The batteries are readily available from your local store or pharmacist, at affordable prices. Using the ESPrit 3G 16 hours a day, a US recipient may expect to pay $0.65 cents per battery, for an average of less than $4 dollars a week.
What level of sound does the ESPrit 3G provide?
Cochlear’s design philosophy is to provide as much sound as is needed by each individual in order to provide clarity. Processing unwanted background sounds only consumes battery power without providing any additional clarity. Processing too much soundcan be just as difficult to cope with, as not hearing sound at all.
Cochlear’s products aim to optimize hearing by providing clear, distinct foreground sound rather than high volumes of indistinguishable background noise.
Each recipient has unique hearing needs and therefore implant technology must be flexible in providing a range of options for all users.
The ESPrit 3G for N22 will offer the SPEAK coding strategy – at fully customized stimulation rates.
Does the ESPrit™ 3G use all electrodes?
The ESPrit™ 3G delivers information to 20 of the 22 implant electrodes. The information is delivered to the 20 electrodes that will deliver the best combination of familiar tonality, clarity and intelligibility.
Can I use a telephone with the ESPrit 3G?
Yes, if you are currently able to use the telephone, you can now do it without cables and attachments. You have a choice to listen acoustically or through the built-in telecoil (T-switch). The built-in telecoil allows you to use hearing aid compatible telephones with a simple flip of a switch, removing the need for additional attachments and cables.
The built-in telecoil also enables you to directly access sound systems in public venues fitted with an assistive listening device (ALD) like induction loops, infrared or FM systems, minimizing background noise. Now you can fully experience movies, concerts, art galleries and plays as well as hear clearly in classrooms, meeting rooms, tour buses, lecture halls and places of worship fitted with ALDs.
Does the ESPrit 3G allow you to have two programs like the ESPrit does? (the P1 and P2 switch).
Yes, you can have two programs on the ESPrit 3G. For instance, a SPEAK program on P1 with the rotary wheel controlling sensitivity, and the same program, but a volume map with autosensitivity (for noisy/dynamic situations) on P2. Whisper is a separate feature that is included in the processor, completely separate from the programs of P1 and P2. Because it can be applied to either program, by simply flipping a switch on the base of the ESPrit 3G, most recipients think of it as a ‘situational’ quick adjustment to improve their access to soft and moderate speech.
*Users can choose either 100% Telecoil or a 75% Telecoil/25% Microphone mix during their MAPping session with their audiologist.
