The methods folks use for holding their speech processors seems to be limited only by imagination. Here we present some of the many ideas that we have come across.

One mother of an 18 month old tells us that she likes using "cargo" pants - the pants with about a zillion pockets. She just tucks the speech processor in a pocket and the cord goes under his shirt. She also said that she always takes her son with her to be sure the pocket is large enough to hold the speech processor.

One of the methods I hear about most is to sew a pocket on something. Placement for these pockets varies from front to back, or even on the side. A piece of Velcro at the top, or a snap, keeps the speech processor in place. T-shirt or diaper fabric is often the fabric of choice for making this pocket. Folks are sewing pockets onto t-shirts, regular shirts, small sports bras (for young ones or in hot climates), dance leotards, vests, and even Halloween costumes. Here is a recent message from a mother who used this for her 22 month old:

"My 22 month old daughter has just been implanted and to hold her speech processor snugly my Mum and I sewed pockets onto the back of all-in-one body suits (the ones that come in either short or long sleeve and have snap fasteners at the crotch. We used stretch fabric with a piece of wadding sewn in to provide some padding to protect the processor and put some Velcro at the top to hold it in. This seems to work very well for her."

One mother tells me she gets extra long t-shirts, folds up the bottom of the shirt to make a kind of pouch, sews it in place, then adds piece of Velcro or snap to the pocket. I've drawn a small picture of it to help you visualize what it looks like. Remember when you fold the shirt to make the fold so the pocket ends up on the inside, otherwise the wrong side of the hem will end up showing on the outside of the shirt.

When we were investigating cochlear implants for our son, one lady showed my son how she kept hers in her bra. (I could have done without her showing him that.) For those who nature has been generous with, this is certainly one possible placement. It is suggested by some who use this type of "pouch" that to make it more comfortable, the speech processor be placed in a child's cotton sock first. Placement for those less endowed can be in the center or the under arm area. 

One girl at my son's school keeps hers in a small purse with a long strap, wearing it diagonally across her chest.

This one was meant for her daughter's FM system, but it does raise some interesting possibilities for CI processors. While your speech processor may not fit into a cigarette case, you may be able to find something similar that it will fit into and adapt it in much the same way.

"My daughter finally got her fm system, but it came with a ugly black vinyl pouch and a belt clip. Well, being a rather "girlie" girl, she prefers dresses. So I bought a cigarette case, cut a hole in the top (and glued it inside to look nice), and attached it onto a floral lanyard. Now she has a shiny purple case that she wears across her chest and on her hip. It also has a tiny pouch for her chap stick. The case is also somewhat more impact resistant, since it was designed to keep cigarettes intact. Anyway, I thought this idea could easily be adapted for CI's and also for boys. She likes it and her friends think it's cool."   -Stephanie

Here is another idea given to us by a creative father:

"I made a carrier for our young son using a 4" ace bandage. Onto a length of bandage long enough to go around our son's waist snugly, I sewed a 4x4 Velcro square for the fastener and made a pocket out of left over ace bandage material with a strap over the top to hold the processor in. The great part is that it sets the processor in the lower square of his back and goes under his clothing (you can hardly tell he is wearing it). it fits tight (won't fall off). The elasticity allows for a tight fit but makes it easy to get out of the way when changing diapers (in my case) or taking off pants." -Chris

This idea, sent by another parent, is what our son uses when he wears his body speech processor. I'll put up her version instead of mine because she has the added hint of adding bubble wrap to protect the processor during sports. The one we got has a zipper which opens from either direction instead of a flap. 

My teenage son recently got an implant and he needed a pouch that was convenient but also could protect his processor while he played sports, We bought him a waist pack that actually is made for carrying a cassette player. It has a nice thick waist back that snaps around in the back The pouch is big enough that we wrap some 'bubble wrap' around the processor and then Velcro the flap shut.

Some folks just slip it in their pants pocket. I've even heard from ladies who slip it in, or clip it to, their pantyhose!

When someone on CI-Circle was looking for ideas because for when she would be wearing a very tight fitting formal dress, some ideas presented to her included wearing it in a fancy purse, and sewing a pocket into a fancy shawl or scarf. I think the most creative idea presented was to use surgical tape and taping it to her inner leg, then use a 100 cm cable. 

Another user tells us:

For those of you ladies struggling to get dressed without "processor bulge" or dangling cords, I found something that works well for me. Tennis pants (underpants) have a ball pocket just the right size for a speech processor which makes it possible, finally, to wear a one piece dress or a skirt and blouse, tucked in, without the speech processor at waist or bulging elsewhere. I have been able to wear pre-CI clothes that have been in the back of my closet for a year. The ball pocket slants to the side (for easy access to the ball) so its a good idea to lightly pin the pocket closed so that the much heavier speech processor does not slip out

Sources of ready-made holders for the speech processor:

Waterproof Cases - We don't promote getting water on your speech processor, but if you're around the water and need something to keep the water or sand off the speech processor. Using the ideas and resources here will NOT make your speech processor waterproof, but will provide some protection against sand and splashed water.