Service & Support
Frequently Asked Questions

Advanced Bionics is here to help you each and every step of the way on your journey to hearing. From online resources to our caring and informed customer service team, you can always count on AB.

What follows are some of the most frequently requested information regarding service and support. If you don’t find the answer to your question, contact AB Customer Service for assistance.

Services to Support You


AB’s customer service experts are well equipped to address your needs and continually meet your expectations with a wide range of important services, including:

  • Answer questions on hearing, cochlear implant technology, and financing
  • Find a cochlear implant clinic near you
  • Send you information
  • Put you in touch with helpful associations and organizations, such as the BEA
  • Provide phone, online chat, and paging accessibility
  • Troubleshoot technical issues
  • Ship replacement processors within 48 hours
How do I contact AB Customer Service?

There are three easy ways to contact AB Customer Service:

AB’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time.


How do I place an order for AB products?

Please contact the Advanced Bionics office in your region for more information.

Please contact Advanced Bionics Customer Service. A customer service representative will take your order and charge your debit or credit card. When you call, have your debit or credit card number and expiration date. AB accepts American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.


Can I place an order online?

If you reside in Canada or the United States, you may place a secure online order at AB’s Webstore. Before you can order from AB’s Webstore, you must first register with Advanced Bionics Customer Service. For security and privacy purposes, a user ID and password will be assigned to you upon confirmation that you or your child is a registered AB recipient. Upon receiving a user ID and password, products may be charged to your American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa card.

If you reside outside of North America, please contact the Advanced Bionics office in your region for more information.


When will I receive my AB order?

Shipping time varies by region. Please contact the Advanced Bionics office in your region for more information.


How is my order shipped, and how much does shipping cost?

Shipping costs vary by region. Please contact the Advanced Bionics office in your region for more information.


Can I place an order with AB if I don’t have a credit card?

Payment methods vary by region. Please contact the Advanced Bionics office in your region for more information.


Does AB offer quantity discounts on their products?

Quantity discounts vary by region. Please contact the Advanced Bionics office in your region for more information.


I haven’t received my AB order yet. Where is it?

Order holds or delays vary by region. Please contact the Advanced Bionics office in your region for more information.


A component of my AB cochlear implant system is not functioning properly, what should I do?

Please contact the Advanced Bionics office in your region. A customer service representative will determine which piece of equipment is malfunctioning. If the product in question is under warranty, the customer service representative will process a Return Materials Authorization (RMA).


How do I return a malfunctioning product back to Advanced Bionics?

When you receive the replacement product, you will also receive a postage-paid envelope. Please place the malfunctioning product in the postage-paid envelope and mail. 


How do I know if my equipment is under warranty?

Please contact the Advanced Bionics office in your region for more information. A customer service representative will look up your name in our database and let you know whether your equipment is under warranty. You may also review our standard warranty for products.


What are the warranties on AB products?
  • Internal device has a 10-year warranty from the surgery date.
  • Sound processor has a 3-year warranty from initial stimulation date.
  • Headpiece has a 3-year warranty from initial stimulation date.
  • Battery charger has a 3-year warranty from initial stimulation date.
  • T-Mic™ has a 1-year warranty from initial stimulation or time of purchase.
  • iConnect™ wireless FM adapter has a 6-month warranty from the date of purchase.
  • Accessories have a 90-day implied warranty.
  • PowerCel™ batteries have a 90-day implied warranty.
  • Rechargeable batteries have a 90-day implied warranty.
  • AA Power Pak has a 3-year warranty from initial stimulation or time of purchase if purchased separately.
  • Kinder Clip has a 90-day implied warranty.

The details in this section are general guidelines that may be overridden by regional regulations. For warranty details specific to your region, contact your local customer service.


What should I do if a piece of equipment of my AB cochlear implant system is malfunctioning and no longer under warranty?

Please contact the Advanced Bionics office in your region. A customer service representative will verify that your product is no longer under warranty and place your order. 


When will I receive my replacement product, and how will it be shipped?

Shipping times and methods vary by region. Please contact the Advanced Bionics office in your region for more information.


What should I do if my sound processor is not working and is no longer under warranty?

Please contact the Advanced Bionics office in your region. If you need your out-of-warranty sound processor repaired or replaced, a fee will be charged.


What should I do if I lose or accidentally damage my AB sound processor?

Please contact the Advanced Bionics office in your region.


Can I or my child have an MRI scan with an AB cochlear implant?

Yes, with HiRes™ Ultra and HiRes™ 90K Cochlear Implant family* Cochlear Implants MRI’s can be safely performed. The most widely recommended or conventional MRI can be performed with magnet in. A few standard and easy non-invasive precautionary steps will be followed by the medical professional performing the MRI to make it a safe and easy experience for you or your child.

For more information on MRI safety, contact your medical professional or Advanced Bionics technical support at technicalservices@advancedbionics.com or call your local AB office.

 

What does this mean to you or your child?

We know that MRI is not an easy process for anybody. We want to be there for you or your child through such journey. Thanks to our dedicated engineers, with the HiRes Ultra and HiRes 90K family* cochlear implants, all you have to do is to keep the external processor and headpiece out of the MRI field when undergoing the most widely recommended MRI. You or your child can wear the external processor and headpiece before and after entering and exiting the MRI field.  This way you or your child can continue to benefit from the Cochlear Implant through such phase of your life.   

 

What is the most widely recommended type of MRI?

1.5T MRI is the most widely recommended type of MRI by radiologists1.   



*HiRes90K family Cochlear Implant is not approved for MRI imaging with magnet in place in the USA and FDA based markets. This means that minor modifications similar to that with non-conventional MRIs would be recommended with 1.5T MRI.     


Can I or my child undergo a non-conventional MRI with the HiRes Ultra cochlear implant?

Non-conventional MRIs are sometimes required. 3T MRI is the most common non-conventional MRI. Standard minor modifications can make it possible for you undergo 3T MRI safely with the HiRes Ultra cochlear implant.  AB engineers have ensured that the procedure for the minor modifications are the easiest with AB implants as against other Cochlear Implants in the market. Contact your doctor or clinic for information. Of course, we always available by email at technicalservices@advancedbionics.com or by phone at local AB office.


Can I or my child undergo a non-conventional MRI with the HiRes 90k family cochlear implant?

Non-conventional MRI procedures are contraindicated for HiRes 90k family of Cochlear implants.

 

What does this mean to you?

You can definitely undergo CT imaging with the implant in place.  Talk to your physician if a CT based imaging can be used in place of an MRI. For example, Techniques such as CT myelogram or CT Angiography have been shown to be viable substitutes to MRI as appropriate2,3 .


Can I undergo an MRI if I have the CLARION (C1 or CII) Cochlear Implant?

MRI procedures are contraindicated for CLARION (C1 and CII) Cochlear Implant recipients.

 

What does this mean to you?

You can definitely undergo CT imaging with the implant in place.  Talk to your physician if a CT based imaging can be used in place of an MRI. For example, Techniques such as CT myelogram or CT Angiography have been shown to be viable substitutes to MRI as appropriate2,3 .



Can I travel by plane with my cochlear implant?

Yes. Advanced Bionics has provided this information to make your journey easier. Bon voyage! 


Do I have to turn my sound processor off when the flight crew directs all electrical/digital devices to be turned off prior to takeoff and landing?

No. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has confirmed that Advanced Bionics cochlear implant recipients are EXEMPT from powering off their sound processors when instructions are given to turn off cell phones, music players, or any electrical/digital device with an on/off switch. The FAA includes cochlear implants in the Hearing Aid category, exempting them from the requirement to be switched off. 


Do I have to remove my sound processor when going through airport security?

No.  Metal detectors and security scanners should not damage the implant or sound processor. However, cochlear implant recipients passing through security metal detectors and scanners may activate the alarm. It is advised that patients carry their “Patient Emergency Identification Card” with them at all times. Cochlear implant recipients also might hear a distorted sound caused by the magnetic field around the security scanner door or hand-held scanning wand. Turning the sound processor volume down before passing through security screening will ensure that those sounds, if they occur, are not too loud or uncomfortable. Cochlear implant recipients may request a full-body pat-down with visual and physical inspection of the sound processor in place of the standard metal detector or scanner with x-ray procedure. 


Should I send the processor through the x-ray machine?

X-ray machines will not damage the sound processor; however, x-ray machines have the potential to damage the microphones used in most cochlear implant systems and hearing aids. As a precaution, avoid placing these items in cargo luggage or carry-on luggage that are screened with x-ray machines. During airport security screening, the processor T-Mic™, and any spare parts carried should either be worn through the metal detector/scanner or examined by hand. 


Can I travel on planes with my rechargeable batteries?

Yes. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations on passengers traveling with lithium batteries can be found at safetravel.dot.gov. Per the regulations, passengers may not carry spare lithium batteries in checked luggage unless they are within a portable electronic device. However, any number of spare lithium batteries are allowed in carry-on baggage if they do not individually exceed 8 grams (~100 Watt hours) of equivalent lithium content.

All Advanced Bionics lithium-ion rechargeable batteries (PowerCel™ Slim, PowerCel Plus and PSP/S-Series™ batteries) have equivalent lithium content weighing less than 1g each, which falls well within the 8g limit.

When traveling, protect the battery terminals by using the blue plastic PSP/S-Series battery cover or the Harmony PowerCel battery pouches. For Naída CI PowerCel batteries, use PowerCel plastic covers or a sealable plastic bag. 


What is the BEA, and what services does it offer?

The Bionic Ear Association is a support network dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss. Their mission is to improve the quality of life of persons impacted by hearing loss through education, awareness, mentoring, and support pertaining to cochlear implants. Staffed with a committed team of hearing health professionals and cochlear implant recipients, their services are available to help you Hear and Be Heard.

Some of the benefits and services of the BEA include:

  • Informative newsletters and announcements
  • Connecting with or becoming a cochlear implant mentor
  • Joining an online community and creating lifelong friends
  • Online listening tools and resources in English
  • Personalized support and technical assistance from BEA staff

How can I get a Patient Emergency Identification Card?

If you do not have the identification card provided when you first received your cochlear implant, a replacement can be ordered by contacting Advanced Bionics Customer Service.

877.829.0026 US and Canada 

customerservice@AdvancedBionics.com


Where can I get more information if I still have questions?

The Bionic Ear Association at Advanced Bionics is available to support you.

AdvancedBionics.com/BEA | 800.678.2575 

hear@AdvancedBionics.com



References

1.

"Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Market - Global Forecast to 2020" MarketsandMarkets Industry Research

2.

Pross S. Sharon J. Lim M. Moghekar A. Rao A. Carey J. (2017) Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension after Vestibular Schwannoma Resection Due to an Unexpected Pathology: Tarlov Cysts. Cureus. May 19: 9(5)    

3.

Hanning U. Sporns P. Schmiedel M3, Ringelstein EB3, Heindel W2, Wiendl H3, Niederstadt T2, Dittrich R. (2017) CT versus MR Techniques in the Detection of Cervical Artery Dissection. Jun 2 [Epub ahead of print]    

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