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. |
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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:
- Advanced Bionics has a pouch
available. Model # for the S-Series denim "Hip Patch" is
AB-7670-36. The Model # for the Platinum Sound Processor is AB-7450-36.
Update: Advanced Bionics has a flier available with
all of their pouches pictured on it (Sports, Hip Patch, and Harness). Call
them and ask for their Clarion CI System Processor Carrying Cases brochure -
1-800-678-2575.
- BionicWear - I received this message from the lady who makes these: "In
August our son got a cochlear implant. He couldn't stand to wear it so I made
him a backpack with cool sports emblems on it. Now I have made several for his
classmates that are pink with flowers etc. We are excited to make packs that
make a child feel special. I have had hearing kids at they playground say they
sure wish they had one!" Part of the proceeds goes to AG Bell.
BionicWear
5626 Eagle Crest Ln
Knoxville, TN 37921
(865) 690-2891
-
Christine Warren
- I designed a padded pocket that securely and discretely
held the processor. Since then, I have expanded my products and
services to include plain and fancy t-shirts, vests,
cardigans, sundresses, and casual shirts. I will also
sew pockets onto clothing that parents may already
own. All of the current styles, pricing, and product information
can be found on my website.
-
Cochlear sells a Kid's
Kit which includes, among other things, small Koala bear
fanny pack. This fanny pack is even padded to help protect against
bumps. You can contact them at 1-800-523-5798. (Other things we received in
our Kid's Kit were a cap, button, coloring
book, shoelaces, yo-yo, water bottle, crayons, balloon, and a miniature
Nucleus Cochlear Implant speech processor and headset with Velcro tabs.)
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Fit Pouch and
Fit Pouch V - Neil Pietrok writes: I found a great website called
www.fitdigital.com that makes pouches
for Aerobics instructors. Their Fit-Pouch and Fit-Pouch/V are neoprene waist
belts and pouches that are small enough for my four year old to wear, yet big
enough for his body worn processor and FM attachment. He can wear the pouch and
be as rough and rowdy as he wants. And since it is designed for Aerobics
instructors and other teaching classes in a gym setting, the belt is designed to
keep your child from sweating in it like other neoprene products
-
Flagg Packs - My harnesses are hand crocheted using 100% cotton,
and where there is elastic it is covered by the yarn. There are no snaps, velcro,
or adjustments to make, the processor is held in the pouch with one button, goes
on in 3 seconds. Comfortable worn next to the skin or over a shirt. Snug enough
to permit headstands. Machine wash and dry, regular load and temperature. With a
chest measurement and color choice, I will make and send one, when received, try
it! If everyone is happy, pay me. The price is now $35 and I pay the shipping
charges.
Suzeann M. Flagg
6419 Euclid Drive
Elkridge, MD 21075
(410) 540-9678
threeplusbean@netzero.com
- Hearing Pocket - The easier
way to wear a cochlear implant.
- Jungle
Apparel - Makers of CI Fanny Packs for both Adults and Children.
This padded fanny pack is just the right size for a speech processor. This
would also be a good pouch for the Solaris FM receiver (the size is just
right for it too).
- Kattie Pacs - cute harnesses made from different fabrics (or
any fabric you send in). Made to measure.
Janie Freestone
14259 Breezeway Plaza
San Diego, CA
92128
(854) 451-5647
pjfreest@pacbell.net
$18 each or $15 if
material is supplied.
- Kidflyx Kreations - Apparel
for cochlear implant users
- Paradise
Clothing - Child CI Fanny Pack made of 100% Canvas Material in prints or
solids.
- Stacie Plunkett - makes undershirts, tank tops, sports bras (for girls)
and muscle shirts (for boys) with a padded fun fabric pocket at the small of
the back or on the side for infants.
345 S. Flower Ave
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 672-9228
$15-$18 each
- Tune
Belt - Their pouch, designed for MP3 players, fits some models of body
worn speech processors. Check the measurements carefully before ordering to
ensure it fits.
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.
- Some folks take a zip-lock sandwich or freezer bag, poke a hole in it
for the cord to go through, and place the speech processor in that before
slipping it into whatever means they're using to hold their speech
processor.
-
Aquapac - Makers of waterproof pouches in
the UK. In the US, you can get their cases from Waterproofcase.com,
Waterproof
Cases.net
or Xtreme Case.
-
OtterBox - I
just ordered the OtterBox 1000 for my son.
-
Waterproof Pouch
from Campmor - Not for use to go swimming, but I've heard from folks who use
this when they're in situations where the speech processor might get splashed
with water, but they don't want to do without their hearing. At the beach, it
would also be good for keeping sand away from the speech processor.
1-800-226-7667 (request # 86667)
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