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 right technology to help you hear your 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 your ear, with an ear hook to keep them in place. A cable and circular coil connect to the sound processor and the coil is held on the head by a magnet.
Off-the-ear sound processors, such as the Cochlear Nucleus Kanso® 2 Sound Processor, sit on the side of the head. It is a self-contained device 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 audiologist about the right Cochlear sound processor for your hearing needs and lifestyle.
Sound Processor type |
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Nucleus® 7 Sound Processor |
Nucleus® Kanso® 2 Sound Processor |
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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 2 Sound Processor is worn off the ear and features our advanced SmartSound iQ with SCAN technology, rechargeable in-built battery and coil in a single, easy-to-use device. | ||
Technology |
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| Hybrid™ Hearing |
Three receiver options to customise the amount of power needed for acoustic hearing |
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| Hybrid™ Hearing combines acoustic amplification of any natural hearing you have after surgery with cochlear implant technology to provide access to the sounds you'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 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 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 to offer both BTE and OTE sound processors with dual microphone technology, which allows for advanced input processing and reduces background noise to help you better understand speech in noisy surroundings.1 | ||
| Nucleus Smart App |
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| The Nucleus Smart App has been developed exclusively for the Nucleus 7 and Kanso 2 Sound Processors. 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 |
CR310 |
CR310 |
| The small Remote Control features a handy display screen for changing simple settings, allowing you to manage your hearing in a discreet way. | ||
| Smartphone compatibility |
Direct streaming from compatible Apple or Android devices. Other smartphone devices streaming with Cochlear Wireless Phone Clip
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Direct streaming from compatible Apple or Android devices. Other smartphone devices streaming with Cochlear Wireless Phone Clip |
| The Nucleus 7 and Kanso 2 Sound Processors are featured with built-in technology that lets you stream sound directly from a compatible Apple or Android device. | ||
| Telecoil |
Optimised for loops |
Via the Cochlear Wireless Mini Microphone 2+ |
| A telecoil picks up electromagnetic signals and turns them into sound. Telecoils allow you to connect to hearing loop systems for everyday convenience. | ||
| Compatible with Cochlear True Wireless™ devices |
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| 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 compatible smartphone to stream calls or music. | ||
| TV Streamer |
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| With the TV Streamer, you get stereo-quality sound directly from their 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 2/2+ |
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| By streaming speech to your sound processor, the Mini Microphone 2/2+ helps you to hold conversations in noisy places and hear more clearly over distances. For example at school, during meetings, or while playing sport. | ||
| Bimodal/Bilateral streaming |
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| 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 success and social development. 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 Nucleus 7 Sound Processor turns on automatically when you connect a battery. The Kanso 2 Sound Processor turns on automatically when it's placed on your head. | ||
Features |
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| Size | Smallest Cochlear BTE sound processor to date | Smallest 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 2 Sound Processor is the smallest off-the-ear sound processor available.2 |
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| Weight | Lightest Cochlear BTE sound processor to date | Lightest rechargable OTE sound processor |
| Designed for comfort, the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is the lightest BTE processor, 24% lighter than its predecessor.2 The Kanso 2 Sound Processor is the lightest rechargeable off-the-ear sound processor available.2 |
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| Colour range | 6 colour options | 5 colour options |
| A range of colour options are available, based on preference and lifestyle. | ||
| Water and dust resistance ratings |
Water and dust resistant (IP57) with rechargable batteries. Waterproof (IP68) when worn with Aqua+.^ |
Water and dust resistant (IP68), Waterproof (IP68) when worn with Aqua+.^ |
| Both the Kanso 2 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. For added peace of mind, add the security of Aqua+ and the Nucleus 7 or Kanso 2 Sound Processor becomes waterproof, so you can swim, snorkel or surf with confidence in salt, fresh and chlorinated water. |
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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. | ||
| Simple interface |
One button design |
Button-free design |
| The Kanso 2 Sound Processor has a unique button-free design. The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor has a one button interface for basic control functionality. | ||
Batteries |
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| Disposable batteries | Two required |
N/A |
| Disposable batteries typically last several days depending on a recipient's power usage needs. Battery life may vary by individual. | ||
| Rechargeable batteries |
(Standard and Compact options) |
Built-in rechargeable battery |
| Standard and compact rechargeable battery modules are available for the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor. The Kanso 2 Sound Processor has a built-in rechargeable battery. | ||
| Battery Life* | Up to 80 hours | Up to 18 hours3 |
| 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 their car. The Kanso 2 Sound Processor uses a new all-in-one Home Charger that charges, stores and dries your device at the same time. A Portable Charger is also available. |
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For parents |
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| Tamper-resistant battery |
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| For added safety, the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor has tamper-resistant battery modules, and the Kanso 2 Sound Processor's battery is built into the sound processor unit. | ||
| LED status monitoring |
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| An easy way to quickly and easily assess the status of your child's sound processor. | ||
| Monitor sound quality |
Compatible with monitor earphones |
Sound Check in the Nucleus Smart App |
| Enables parents and carers to check the sound quality of the input from a loved one's sound processor or accessories. | ||
Wearing and retention options |
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| Earhooks |
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| Comfortably secures the sound processor to the ear. | ||
| Tamper-resistant earhook |
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| Earhooks with additional tamper resistance. | ||
| Snugfit |
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| Helps keep the sound processor securely in place, especially for active adults and children. | ||
| Hugfit™ feature |
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| Helps keep the sound processor securely in place, especially designed for smaller ears. | ||
| Mic Lock |
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| 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 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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| Optional accessories that hold either a Nucleus 7 Sound Processor or Kanso 2 Sound Processor in place. Useful for children and during physical activity. | ||
Compatibility |
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| Implant compatibility | Compatible with all Nucleus implants | Not compatible with Nucleus 22 implants |
| Cochlear is committed to ongoing innovation and continually evolving our product range to achieve the best possible hearing outcomes for our recipients. | ||
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.
For compatibility information and devices visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility and www.resound.com/compatibility.
^ The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is dust and water resistant to level of IP57 of the International Standard IEC60529. The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor with Aqua+ and the 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. The Kanso 2 Sound Processor is dust and water resistant to level of IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529. The Kanso 2 Sound Processor with Aqua+ is dust and water resistant to level of IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529. Aqua+ can be continuously submerged under water to a depth of up to 3 metres for up to 2 hours.
*Individual results may vary depending on implant type, programming parameters and battery choice.
Apple, the Apple logo, Apple Watch, 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 and Kanso 2 Sound Processors are 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
- Mauger SJ, et al. Clinical outcomes with the Kanso off-the-ear cochlear implant sound processor. Int J Audiol. 2017, Apr; 56(4): 267-276. [Sponsored by Cochlear].
- Cochlear Limited. D1190805. Sound Processor Size Comparison. 2020; March.
- Cochlear Limited. D1710313. CP1150 Battery Life Coverage Technical Report. 2020; March.