Rocking the Chorus

It has been just a little over 4 months since I got the Advanced Bionics Chorus Sound Processor and I feel like I am now Rocking the Chorus! Adjusting to a body-worn processor has taken some time and getting used to it. I have gotten a lot of questions about the Chorus and thought I would post the questions and answers here.

No difference in sound quality between the Chorus and Harmony. Is that true?

• When you use the t-comm bundle which is what allows you to use the t-mic with the Chorus you will notice no major changes or shifts in quality. However, when you use the headpiece microphone alone, you will notice a change in how things sound due to where the microphone is placed. I tested out both wearing options for a few days and found I am a major t-mic fan. The headpiece microphone is great but not my preferred choice.

Have you tested out the Chorus in the water?

• No, I have not yet. I chose to get the t-comm bundle over the aqua kit due to how little I swim during the summer but I plan to get the kit later this year. I mostly want to get it so I can hear my kids when we are at the water parks and such.

Can you connect your Chorus to your electronics (laptop, iPhone, iPad, etc.) through Bluetooth wirelessly without using a cable from the processor directly to the electronics?

• Yes, I use the Roger select in many ways and LOVE it. My most common location of use is at my workstation in my office. I use the docking port with the select on it and plug the aux cord from the dock to the computer. I then switch my chorus processor to be 70% Roger Ready and 30% normal t-mic functions. This allows me to listen to my music and conference calls. If someone comes up to my desk, I simply mute the music and turn on the Roger Select's microphone which allows me to hear my co-workers even more clearly. I can often walk away from my desk and still hear what my computer is playing for up to 10-15 feet away (you can go further when you don't have any walls in the way). In that aspect, I never have to plug wires into my processor!
• Another way I use it is by plugging my phone directly into the select, placing it in the same room and turning on my Roger 100% program which will allow me to hear my music 100% while I work out or cleaning around the house. If you have thick walls it will cut in and out when you move room to room but I love it.
• Phone calls: The roger select can pair with your phone for phone calls (Bluetooth) and the select can clip to your shirt which works as a microphone for your phone. I often do this while I am on walks or in my office. I can place my phone in my pocket, wear the select and hold a conversation. However, you can't stream music via Bluetooth just yet, only phone calls. I have an iPhone XR and hoping some updates happen to allow that.

How does it feel going back to a body-worn processor from a BTE?

• My first processor was a body-worn system when I was 6 years old and the Chorus was like I was stepping back but at the same time stepping forward with more battery life and connectivity options. The processor is a little sleeker than the 1st one but since I work in an office every day, I easily snap it on my belt and don't think too much about it. The part I had to learn to navigate more was the use of the bathroom (without dropping the processor) and simply playing around with my kids. I kept one of my Harmony's as a backup but I feel like I have adapted to the Chorus pretty well. My kids are now learning to not pull the cord.

The biggest blessing so far for me was to be able to take my wife out on a date to one of our favorite restaurants which is one of the noisier places. I brought my Roger Select and she wore it around her neck and I was able to hear her so clearly as if she was whispering into my ear. The background noise is reduced and I don’t experience so much listening fatigue as I usually do in those settings. Miracles all around!

While the Chorus is not the sleek behind the ear processor, I am grateful for the all-day battery, connectivity functions and confidence to rock any hearing situation.

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Life with a cochlear implant, finding identity, and documenting the silent moments.