Compare Nucleus® sound processors
Whether you choose a Cochlear™ sound processor that sits behind the ear or off the ear, you can be sure you’re getting the technology you need to hear your best.
What you'll find on this page
- The difference between behind-the-ear and off-the-ear sound processors.
- The different sound processors in the Nucleus® range.
What’s the difference between behind-the-ear and off-the-ear sound processors?
Behind-the-ear sound processors — such as the Cochlear™ Nucleus® 7 Sound Processor — sit behind your ear, with an ear hook to keep them in place. A coil transmits a signal from the sound processor to the implant.
Off-the-ear sound processors — such as the Cochlear Nucleus Kanso Sound Processor — sit on the side of your head. It is a self-contained unit that contains the processing unit, microphones, magnet and batteries.
Learn how they compare
Compare the features of our latest sound processors.
We recommend you talk to your hearing implant specialist about the right Cochlear sound processor for your hearing needs and lifestyle.
Sound processor type |
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Nucleus® 7
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 Nucleus® Kanso
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| Behind-the-ear (BTE) |
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| A BTE sound processor is worn on the ear and a small coil is held in place against the head with a magnet. The Cochlear Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is our most advanced BTE sound processor that offers our innovative technologies including SmartSound® iQ with SCAN, exclusive True Wireless™ technology and smartphone compatibility. | ||
| Off-the-ear (OTE) |
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| An OTE sound processor provides a comfortable, discreet hearing solution without compromising hearing performance. The Kanso Sound Processor is worn off the ear as a single unit and features our advanced SmartSound iQ, exclusive True Wireless technologies, two zinc batteries, and coil into a single, easy-to-use unit without compromising hearing performance. | ||
Technology |
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| Hybrid™ Hearing feature |
Three receiver options for acoustic component |
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| Hybrid™ Hearing feature combines acoustic amplification of any natural hearing you have after surgery with cochlear implant technology to provide access to the sounds you're missing. | ||
| SmartSound®iQ with SCAN |
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| SmartSound iQ is Cochlear's most advanced sound processing technology. It works by filtering out background noise and automatically adapting to optimise your hearing experience, focusing on sounds that are most important to you. SCAN is the industry's first automatic scene classifier - designed to detect the unique features of sound and use them to determine the listening environment. | ||
| ForwardFocus |
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| ForwardFocus is a control feature enabled by the clinician that you can switch on to help you hear better in challenging listening environments. It works by reducing noise coming from behind you, so you can more easily enjoy face-to-face conversation. | ||
| mySmartSound™ technology |
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| mySmartSound technology allows you to fine tune your hearing in real-world listening environments by allowing you to adjust bass, treble and master volume. | ||
| Dual microphones |
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| Cochlear was the first in the industry with dual microphone technology, which allows for advanced input processing and reduces background noise. | ||
| Nucleus Smart App |
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| The Nucleus Smart App has been developed exclusively for the Nucleus 7 sound processor. Available for compatible Apple and Android devices, it is easy to use and offers the convenience of controlling your hearing from your smartphone. Parents may find the Nucleus Smart App especially useful to manage their child's hearing. | ||
| Remote Control |
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| The small Remote Control features a handy display screen for changing simple settings, allowing you to manage your hearing in a discreet way. | ||
| Made for iPhone compatibility |
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| The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is the only cochlear implant sound processor with built-in technology that lets you stream sound directly from a compatible Apple device without the need for any attachments to the sound processor. | ||
| Telephone use - standard headset | Microphone or telecoil | Microphone or telecoil |
| The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is the only cochlear implant sound processor with built-in technology that lets you stream sound directly from a compatible Apple device without the need for any attachments to the sound processor. | ||
| Telecoil |
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| A telecoil picks up electromagnetic signals and turns them into sound. The telecoil in both the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor and Kanso Sound Processor is optimised for loops for everyday convenience, so you won't miss a public announcement or a single beat at the theatre. | ||
| Compatible with Cochlear True Wireless™ devices |
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| The True Wireless Devices are designed to help you hear better in noisy situations, without the need for neck-worn loops. You have the option to connect directly to the Mini Microphone 2+, Phone Clip or TV Streamer. | ||
| Phone Clip |
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| Bluetooth®-enabled wireless technology allows you to connect to your smartphone to stream calls or music. | ||
| TV Streamer |
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| With the TV Streamer, you get stereo-quality sound directly from your television. You get a balanced experience, with sound from the TV streamed to your sound processor while you're still switched on to what's going on around you. | ||
| Mini microphone 2+ |
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| By streaming speech to your sound processor, the Mini Microphone 2+ helps you to hold conversations in noisy places and hear more clearly over distances. For example at school, during meetings, or as a sports coach. | ||
| Advanced Remote Assistant | Nucleus Smart App² | CR230 |
| The Remote Assistant is a full-featured device which allows you to control and monitor your Kanso Sound Processor settings, and puts troubleshooting at your fingertips. | ||
| Bimodal/Bilateral streaming | Made for iPhone and True Wireless devices | True Wireless Devices |
| Having sound streamed to both ears so you can hear at your best. | ||
| FM connectivity |
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| Being able to connect to FM systems can be important for children, especially at school. Having options for hearing better in school is important for academic and social success. The Mini Microphone 2+ is an affordable and portable alternative to FM systems and can be used in and out of the classroom. | ||
| Auto-On |
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| The sound processor turns on automatically when you connect a battery. | ||
Features |
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| Size | Smallest Cochlear BTE sound processor | Small and discreet OTE sound processor |
| The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is the world's smallest behind-the-ear sound processor, 25% smaller than its predecessor.2 The Kanso Sound Processor is the smallest off-the-ear sound processor available.2 |
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| Weight | Lightest Cochlear BTE sound processor | Lightest OTE option available |
| Designed for comfort, the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is Cochlear's lightest BTE processor, 24% lighter than its predecessor. The Kanso Sound Processor is the lightest off-the-ear sound processor available2 so you can hear your best with the added comfort of nothing on your ear. |
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| Colour range | 6 colour options | 8 colour options |
| Personalised colour options available, based on preference and lifestyle. | ||
| Water and dust resistance ratings |
Water resistant (IP57) with rechargable batteries. Water resistant (IP68) when worn with Aqua+. |
Water resistance (IP54). Water resistant(IP68) when worn with Aqua+. |
| Both the Kanso Sound Processor and the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor give you full confidence when caught in the rain, being splashed with water or sweating it out in the gym. Adding Aqua+ opens up a world of water activities such as swimming underwater, surfing and more. |
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| Aqua+^ |
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| Aqua+ is a soft, flexible silicone sleeve that fits over the sound processor, making it water resistant to level IP68 where additional protection is needed. | ||
| P2i coating |
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| P2i is a water-resistant nano coating which is designed to protect against the effects of corrosion from sweat, humidity and general water damage. | ||
| One button interface |
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| Both the Kanso Sound Processor and the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor have a one button interface for basic control functionality. | ||
Batteries |
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| Disposable batteries | Two required |
Two required |
| Disposable batteries typically last several days, depending on the power needs of each recipient's equipment. (Battery life may vary by individual.) | ||
| Rechargeable batteries |
Both standard and compact rechargeable batteries are available for the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor. |
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| Both standard and compact rechargeable batteries are available. | ||
| Battery Life | Up to 80 hours | Up to 60 hours |
| Cochlear sound processors are designed with efficiency in mind, to deliver long-lasting battery performance. | ||
| Rechargeable battery charger |
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| The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor features an additional USB charging option, allowing you to charge from a PC, or on-the-go in your car. | ||
For parents |
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| Tamper-resistant battery modules |
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| Helps prevent children from opening the battery cover. | ||
| LED status monitoring |
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| An easy way to quickly and easily assess the status of your child's sound processor. | ||
| Compatible with monitor earphones |
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| Enables a parent to check the sound quality of the input from their child's sound processor, microphone or accessories. | ||
Wearing and retention options |
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| Earhooks |
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NA |
| Comfortably secures the sound processor to your ear. | ||
| Tamper-resistant earhook |
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NA |
| Earhooks with additional tamper resistance. | ||
| Snugfit |
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NA |
| Helps keep the sound processor securely in place, especially for active adults and children. | ||
| Hugfit™ feature |
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NA |
| Helps keep the sound processor securely in place, especially designed for smaller ears. | ||
| Mic Lock |
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NA |
| Helps keep the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor secured on the ear when used with an earmould or the earmould adaptor. | ||
| Koala Clip |
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| Clip-on retention device for babies and younger children. | ||
| Safety cord |
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| Provides additional security when taking part in activities where you risk losing your sound processor. | ||
| Hair clip |
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| Clips onto the hair, reducing the risk of losing your sound processor. | ||
| Earmould adaptor |
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| Attaches to an earmould to help keep the sound processor securely in place. | ||
| Headworn adaptor |
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| For temporary use only. Holds the sound processor and coil together in place on the side of the head. | ||
| Headband |
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| Compatible with the Nucleus 7 and Kanso Sound Processors. Useful for children or during physical activity. | ||
Compatibility |
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| Implant compatibility | Compatible with CI24RE, CI500 and Nucleus 24 Series Implants. Not compatible with Nucleus 22 Implants. | Not compatible with Nucleus 22 implants. |
| Cochlear is committed to ongoing innovation and developing new ranges of exciting products to help our recipients achieve their best possible hearing outcomes. | ||
More information
Disclaimer
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 follow the directions 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.
^ The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor with Aqua+ and Aqua+ Coil is water resistant to level IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529 when you use a Cochlear Standard Rechargeable Battery Module or Cochlear Compact Rechargeable Battery Module. Refer to the relevant User Guide for more information.
The Kanso Sound Processor with Aqua+ is water resistant to level IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529 when used with LR44 alkaline or nickel metal hydride disposable batteries. Refer to the relevant User Guide for more information.
Apple, the Apple logo, FaceTime, Made for iPad logo, Made for iPhone logo, Made for iPod logo, iPhone, iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Android is a trademark of Google LLC. The Android robot is reproduced or modified from work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Cochlear Limited is under license.
For a list of compatible Apple and Android devices go to www.cochlear.com/compatibility.
The Cochlear Nucleus Smart App is available on App Store and Google Play. For compatibility information visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility.
References
- Apple Inc. 'Compatible hearing devices' [Internet]. Apple support. 2017 [cited 15 February 2019]. Available from: https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT201466#compatible.
- Cochlear Limited D1190805. CP1000 Processor Size Comparison. 2019, Apr; Data on file.