Compare Nucleus® sound processors
Whether an adult or child chooses a Cochlear™ sound processor that sits behind the ear or off the ear, they can be sure they’re getting the technology they need to hear their best.
What you'll find on this page
- Understand the difference between behind-the-ear and off-the-ear sound processors.
- Get to know 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 the 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 the 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 an adult or child talks to a hearing implant specialist about the right Cochlear sound processor for their 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 an adult or child has after surgery with cochlear implant technology to provide access to the sounds they're missing. The result can be a richer hearing experience. | ||
| 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 the hearing experience, focusing on sounds that are most important to an adult or child. 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 an adult or child can switch on to help them hear better in challenging listening environments. It works by reducing noise coming from behind them, so they can more easily enjoy face-to-face conversation. | ||
| mySmartSound™ technology |
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| mySmartSound technology allows an adult or child to fine tune their hearing in real-world listening environments by allowing them 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, reduces background noise to help an adult or child better understand speech in noisy surroundings. | ||
| 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 an adult or child's hearing from their 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 an adult or child to manage their hearing in a discreet way. | ||
| Smartphone compatibility |
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| The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is featured with built-in technology that lets an adult or child stream sound directly from a compatible Apple or Android 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 an adult or child stream sound directly from a compatible Apple or Android 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 an adult or child 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 an adult or child hear better in noisy situations, without the need for neck-worn loops. They 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 an adult or child to connect to their smartphone to stream calls or music. | ||
| TV Streamer |
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| With the TV Streamer, an adult or child gets stereo-quality sound directly from their television. They get a balanced experience, with sound from the TV streamed directly to the sound processor while they're still switched on to what's going on around them. | ||
| Mini microphone 2+ |
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| By streaming speech directly to the sound processor, the Mini Microphone 2+ helps an adult or child 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 an adult or child to control and monitor their Kanso Sound Processor settings, and puts troubleshooting at their fingertips. | ||
| Bimodal/Bilateral streaming | From a compatible smartphon and True Wireless devices | True Wireless Devices |
| Having sound streamed to both ears allows for a richer hearing experience. | ||
| 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 an adult or child connects a battery. | ||
Features |
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| Size | Smallest Cochlear BTE sound processor to date | Small and discreet OTE sound processor |
| The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is the world's smallest behind-the-ear sound processor to date, 25% smaller than its predecessor.2 The Kanso Sound Processor is the smallest off-the-ear sound processor available.3 |
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| Weight | Lightest Cochlear BTE sound processor to date | Lightest OTE option available |
| Designed for comfort, the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is Cochlear's lightest BTE processor, 24% lighter than its predecessor.3 The Kanso Sound Processor is the lightest off-the-ear sound processor available3 so an adult or child can hear their best with the added comfort of nothing on their 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 an adult or child 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, taking a shower 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 for a parent to quickly and easily assess the status of their 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 the 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 an adult or child risks losing your sound processor. | ||
| Hair clip |
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| Clips onto the hair, reducing the risk of losing the 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
* For compatibility information and devices visit cochlear.com/compatibility and resound.com/compatibility
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.
Views expressed are those of the individual. Consult your health professional to determine if you are a candidate for Cochlear technology.
Disclaimer
^ 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.
The Cochlear Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is compatible with Apple and Android devices. For compatibility information visit 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
- Cochlear Limited D1190805. CP1000 Processor Size Comparison. 2019, Apr; Data on file.
- Cochlear Limited. CP950 Kanso Sound Processor User Guide. Data on file, July 2016.
- Mauger SJ, Jones M, Nel E, Del Dot J. Clinical outcomes with the Kanso off-the-ear cochlear implant sound processor. Int J Audiol. Published online 09 Jan 2017 (DOI:10.1080/14992027.2016.1265156).