Magnets should only to be changed by a CI
Audiologist!
It is important that the magnet strength of the CI headset be tight
enough to hold the headset in place, yet not so tight as to cause problems.
If the magnet strength is too great, the blood flow to the tissue under the
magnet can be reduced or cut off causing the skin to break down. If you are
unsure as to whether your magnet strength is too great or the headset
becomes more and more uncomfortable as the day progresses, please consult
your audiologist about whether the magnet strength on your headset needs to
be adjusted.
Also, be aware that magnet strength may need to be
adjusted from time to time. 2 times when magnet strength may need to be
adjusted are
- As the implant site heals (magnet strength may
need to be reduced)
- As hair length changes. My son has the Nucleus
device and whenever his magnet isn't tight enough, I know it's almost
time for a haircut. After the haircut, I have to remember to reduce the
strength again.
For all but the 3G: Adjusting the magnet strength on the Cochlear Corp. headsets is done by
turning the magnet in the headset (there is even a slot in the top of the
headset to help make this easer). Turn it clockwise to make the magnet
stronger and counter-clockwise to make it weaker. If this does not make
the magnet strength strong or weak enough, a number of alternative
strength magnets are available.
For the 3G, magnet strength is adjusted with
spacers and where they are placed in relation to the
magnet. Check out page 105 of the User
Manual (at least that's where it is in ours).
Cochlear is redesigning the coil piece with
the style where you adjust the magnet strength by screwing it in and out,
but the coil will continue to be the smaller size and have the same
general
appearance as it does now - or so I'm told. For more info, please visit
our 3G page.
Adjusting the magnet strength on the Advanced Bionics headsets requires
the addition or removal of magnet discs from the headset.
Barb Stroer, Audiologist for Advanced Bionics tells us:
-
"Until September 1997, there were three different
strength magnets
and the strengths were indicated by different magnet colors -
orange/weakest, green, and red/strongest.
- After September 1997, only orange magnets have been
available, but
up to 5 of them can be stacked in the headpiece - three fit under the flat
magnet cover on the headpiece and if 4 or 5 are needed, then the raised
magnet cover is used. The magnetic strength is determined by
the number of
orange magnets that are placed inside the headpiece. One orange is
still
the least magnetic strength, 2 orange magnets are
approximately the same
strength as one green magnet and 3 orange magnets are about the same
strength as 1 red magnet.
-
So, a center may no longer have green or red magnets
but equivalent
strengths can be obtained by using the orange magnets."
Adjusting the magnet strength on the Med-El headsets requires
the addition or removal of magnet discs from the headset. My contact at
Med-El points out that as the skin flap heals, it's normal to need to
adjust the magnet strength.
If you're magnet strength is at the minimum and it's
still too strong for you, one person tells us that they use moleskin
between their scalp and the coil. Please be aware that if you use this as
a solution, you may need to have your map adjusted.
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