General precautions and warnings
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Technology in everyday life
Metal detectors and other radio frequency (RF) transmitters
Metal detectors, some anti-theft devices and other RF transmitters may produce sounds
only heard by the implant user, if they are near to these devices. To avoid this, switch off
your audio processor when walking through metal detectors or when in the vicinity of an
RF transmitter.
If an audio processor map becomes corrupted, it can easily be reprogrammed at the CI centre
or by a clinical engineer. If your audio processor has more than one programme, you can
usually use one of the others in the meantime.
The implant itself may trigger a metal detector, so make sure that you carry your MED-EL ID
card with you at all times to identify yourself as a cochlear implant user, as needed.
Air travel
During takeoff and landing, airlines request that computers, mobile phones and other
electronic devices be switched off to avoid interference with the airplane’s communication
instruments. Your audio processor is an electronic device and should therefore be switched
off during takeoff and landing, even if interference is unlikely. You may also contact your
airline to inquire about specific air transport regulations. If you decide to remove or to turn
off your audio processor at any time during a flight, tell your airline attendant that you are
a cochlear implant user and that you may require special instructions while your processor
is off.
Interference with TV reception
In rare cases, your audio processor may interfere with reception when using certain TV
sets (with indoor antennae). Move away from the TV set and turn the antenna to reduce
interference.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones and other portable and mobile RF communications equipment may interfere
with the external parts of your MED-EL Cochlear Implant System. As the experiences of
other MED-EL users have shown, the system is compatible with most mobile phones. Results
with a certain mobile phone may vary depending on the provider or type of phone. If you
are considering purchasing a mobile telephone, you should test it beforehand for possible
interference.
