How to upgrade

You would like a better hearing experience to improve your comfort with a smaller and lighter device, increase battery life, or you are looking for new ways to connect with the people around you or perhaps your current sound processor may be so worn and outdated that it is difficult to maintain and repair any longer.

The following points may help you when considering upgrading your sound processor:

1. Decide if it's time to upgrade to a new sound processor
   Usually, the most important thing is to find out when you will be eligible for a health insurance contribution for a new sound processor. In the Czech Republic, health insurance companies contribute to the upgrade of a sound processor after 10 years from the allocation of the previous device if it was provided before December 2019. Upgrade period of sound processors provided from December 2019 has been shortened to 7 years.
2. Find out how it is with financing
   If you take advantage of the financial contribution for your upgrade from the health insurance company, you will no longer pay any additional fees, because from 2022 the contribution of the Czech health insurance companies completely covers the price of our latest sound processors with essential accessories.
   It is, of course, possible to finance a new sound processor from your own resources and purchase an upgrade even before you are entitled to a contribution from the health insurance company. Get in touch with the Cochlear Customer Center about the current price.
3. Choose the most suitable type of sound processor
   Find out about the options and consider which device best meets your requirements and expectations with its features and design. Depending on your lifestyle, school, work, social and sport activities, you can choose a more suitable way of wearing the sound processor.
   You can get all the necessary information from our website, from the clinical technicians at the implantation centers or at our Cochlear Customer Center, where we will be happy to demonstrate the individual devices and accessories and explain everything in detail.
4. Ask for a sound processor upgrade
   Contact your implant center to request an upgrade. Book an appointment and examination with the relevant doctor, who will then prepare and send a request to your health insurance company.
   The health insurance company usually assesses the request in 2 to 4 weeks and informs the clinic where you asked for the upgrade about the result. If it is approved, the hospital will order a new sound processor set for you. While processing the order, our Customer Center may contact you in order to specify some details (e.g. color design, battery size, etc.) if these are not sufficiently specified in the order or during previous communication.
5. Enjoy better listening with new options
   After your new sound processor is delivered to the implant center, it will be programmed and handed over to you by your clinical technician. They will definitely tell you most of the important information, but we highly recommend that you read all the manuals thoroughly to familiarize yourself with the operation of the system, learn about new listening enhancements and other advanced technical options, and also find out how to properly care for the device.
   We are always happy to welcome you to the Cochlear Customer Center, where we will answer all your questions, gladly advise you with any problems, or help you with the selection of additional accessories.