Cochlear Nucleus Aqua+ User manual

CochlearTM Nucleus
®Aqua+
Recipient Kit Instructions

Notes

1
Cochlear™ Nucleus®
Aqua+
Cochlear™ Nucleus®
Mic Lock-Stirrup
(optional)
Cochlear™ Nucleus®
Safety Line
(optional)
Cochlear™ Nucleus®
Aqua+ Coil and magnet
Cochlear™ Nucleus®
Aqua+ Recipient Kit
The Cochlear™ Nucleus® Aqua+ is a re-usable
sealable sleeve that, when used with the Aqua+ coil,
keeps your sound processor dry during use in or around
water (e.g. when swimming, surfing, or just having fun
splashing around). It has a built-in ear hook and is worn
behind the ear with your sound processor sealed inside.
Please read instructions carefully. In order to receive
the intended benefits, the device must be used in
accordance with these instructions. Improper use may
result in damage to the sound processor.

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The Cochlear™ Nucleus® Aqua+ is intended for use
by recipients 12 months or older using the CP810,
CP910, and CP920 sound processors with rechargeable
batteries. It should only be used by recipients who can
either remove the sound processor themselves if it’s
causing discomfort or who can indicate any discomfort
to their parent or caregiver. For young children or
individuals who cannot provide feedback, the Aqua+
should be used under close supervision.
You may notice a difference in sound quality when
using the Aqua+.
You must use rechargeable batteries for your sound
processor to work inside Aqua+. Zinc air batteries
will not work as they need air and there is no air inside
Aqua+ when it’s sealed.
The Cochlear™ Nucleus® Aqua+ Coil (with
integrated coil cable) is used in place of your usual
coil and coil cable while your sound processor is inside
your Aqua+. It has a special plug that creates a seal
when connected to your sound processor’s coil socket
through the coil plug hole in Aqua+. As with your usual
coil, a coil magnet screws into the Aqua+ coil and holds
it against your implant.
The magnet strength and placement when used with
Aqua+ should be the same as your standard coil.
The Cochlear™ Nucleus® Mic Lock-Stirrup is a
retention option to hold Aqua+ more securely behind
your ear. The stirrup connects to the base of Aqua+ and
the Mic Lock tube (when cut to size) passes under the
ear lobe and connects to the Aqua+ earhook.
The Cochlear™ Nucleus® Safety Line is a retention
option to help prevent accidental loss of your Aqua+ by
securing it to your clothing with a snap-lock clip.
Remotes and wireless accessories can be used with
Aqua+ if they are suitable for use in or around water.
Testing shows Aqua+ can be used for 2 hours and at
depths of up to 3 metres.
Testing shows Aqua+ can be re-used up to 50 times,
but this may vary depending on your particular use of
it.

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2Insert your sound processor into Aqua+.
You don’t have to attach the Aqua+ earhook
to your sound processor.
Instructions for
Cochlear™ Nucleus® Aqua+
Before you get wet…
1Carefully remove your usual earhook and
unplug your usual coil from the sound processor
(see your sound processor’s user guide for
specific instructions).
Don‘t forget you must be using rechargeable
batteries for your sound processor to work
inside Aqua+.

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3Plug the blue Aqua+ coil (with magnet) straight
into your sound processor through the hole in
Aqua+. Do not twist. The coil plug should feel
securely connected.
4Insert the plug into the base of Aqua+.
To make a good seal, push the plug in as far
as it will go (like a cork).

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5If you’re worried about losing Aqua+
(e.g. in the surf), use the safety line
to secure Aqua+ to your clothing.
6If you’re concerned about keeping Aqua+
on your ear, attach a Mic Lock-Stirrup
(or another retention aid).
See 11 for instructions on cutting
Mic Lock-Stirrup to fit your ear.

6
7Finally, do the Aqua+ Checklist
to make sure you’re ready to get wet!
8Have fun!
Blue Aqua+ coil
plugged in
Aqua+ tightly
sealed
Mic Lock-Stirrup
and safety line
attached if required
Notes on retention
For young children, the sound processor with Aqua+
may be too bulky or heavy for successful retention
without retention aids.
A swimcap or goggles do not interfere with the Aqua+
and can be used as retention aids. This can be useful for
young children or others who may have difficulty with
retention of the Aqua+.
Use of additional retention aids such as a swimcap
may reduce the transmission of sound to the sound
processor’s microphone.

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3Open Aqua+ and remove your sound processor.
After getting wet…
Care and storage
1Rinse Aqua+ with clean water
and dry with a soft cloth.
2Unplug the blue Aqua+ coil.
Pull the plug straight out; do not twist.

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4Re-attach your usual coil and earhook.
5Place Aqua+ and the blue Aqua+ coil in your
dry aid kit overnight.
6Once they’re thoroughly dry, store Aqua+,
the blue Aqua+ coil and any accessories in
your Cochlear™ Nucleus® Storage Case.

9
Instructions for
Cochlear™ Nucleus® Aqua+ Coil
1Insert the Cochlear™ Nucleus® CP900 Series
Magnet into the hole in the blue Aqua+ coil.
Turn clockwise until the magnet is set at a
comfortable depth (check it against your
implant).
Once fitted, leave the magnet in your
blue Aqua+ coil.
If the coil magnet is too strong or is in contact
with the skin, pressure sores may develop at the
coil site. If this happens, or if you experience any
discomfort in this area, contact your clinician.

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Instructions for
Cochlear™ Nucleus® Safety Line
1Thread the loop end of the safety line through
the Aqua+ ring.
2Create a knot by passing the clip end of the
safety line through the safety line loop.
3Lift the lever to open and close the clip.

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Instructions for Cochlear™
Nucleus® Mic Lock-Stirrup
Before using Mic Lock-Stirrup for the first time,
cut it to the right length to suit your ear.
1Snap the stirrup into the dimples at the base
of Aqua+.
2Find the right length of tubing to hold Aqua+
in place comfortably behind your ear.
Cut the tubing to the required length.


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3Push the cut end of the tubing over the earhook,
all the way up to the notch on the earhook.
4Wear your Aqua+ with Mic Lock-Stirrup. You
can leave Mic Lock-Stirrup attached to Aqua+.

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Warnings
If your sound processor becomes unusually warm,
remove it immediately and seek advice from your
clinician. Parents/caregivers: if your recipient indicates
discomfort, check if their sound processor is unusually
warm.
Small parts (e.g. coil magnets) may be a choking
hazard.
The Aqua+ and sound processor should be protected
from excessive heat sources such as prolonged
exposure to bright sunlight. Before wearing the Aqua+
and sound processor, check the surface to ensure it is
not too hot to wear without discomfort to skin.
Exposure of the sound processor and Aqua+ to
temperatures above the operating range
(+5 – 40 °C, +41 – 104 °F) could lead to increased risk
of sound processor shutdown or malfunction due to
overheating.
Do not apply continued pressure to the coil when in
contact with the skin (e.g. sleeping while lying on coil,
or using tight fitting headwear).
Store spare coil magnets safely and away from cards
that may have a magnetic strip (e.g. credit cards, bus
tickets, etc).
No modification of this equipment is allowed.
Use only as intended.
Report unexpected problems to your clinician.

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Precautions
Always use Aqua+ with the blue Aqua+ coil, never with
your usual coil. The blue Aqua+ coil should only be used
with the Aqua+ to avoid potential cracking of the sound
processor case.
When connecting the coil cable, always push the plug
straight in; do not screw or twist the plug.
If the coil magnet is too strong or is in contact with the
skin, pressure sores may develop at the coil site. If this
happens, or if you experience any discomfort in this
area, contact your clinician.
Where possible, avoid pressing the processor buttons
with your fingernail as this can damage Aqua+.
If Aqua+ appears damaged or worn, replace it with
a new one.
If your sound processor does get wet, dry it with a soft
dry cloth and place it in your dry aid kit for at least
eight hours.

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Other Information
Environmental conditions
Condition Minimum Maximum
Storage & transport
temperature
-10°C (14°F) +55°C (131°F)
Storage & transport
relative humidity
0% RH 90% RH
Storage & transport
pressure
250 hPa 1030 hPa
Operating
temperature
+5°C (41°F) +40°C
(104°F)
Operating relative
humidity
0% RH 90% RH
Operating
pressure
700 hPa 1030 hPa
Environmental protection
Your Aqua+ coil contains electronic components
subject to the Directive 2002/96/EC on waste
electrical and electronic equipment. Help protect the
environment by not disposing of your Aqua+ coil with
your unsorted household waste. Please recycle your
Aqua+ coil according to your local regulations
Certification and applied standards
The Aqua+ coil and the CP900 series magnet fulfil
the essential requirements listed in Annex 1 of the
EC directive 90/385/EEC on Active Implantable Medical
Devices as per the conformity assessment procedure
in Annex 2;
The year in which authorisation to affix the CE mark
was granted was 2013.

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Symbols
The following symbols may appear on Aqua+
components and/or packaging:
Refer to instruction manual
Specific warnings or precautions
associated with the device, which are
not otherwise found on the label
Manufacturer
Authorised representative in the
European Community
Catalogue number
Serial number
Batch code
Date of manufacture
Temperature limits
Humidity Limitation
CE registration mark with notified body
number. Indicates compliance with the
requirements of the Active Implantable
Medical Device Directive 90/385/EEC
By prescription
Recyclable material
Dispose of electrical components in
accordance with your local regulations

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Warranty
Use of the Aqua+ will not impact your Nucleus Global
Limited Warranty. Your Nucleus Global Limited
Warranty will not be void in circumstances where
Aqua+ is used with the Aqua+ coil in water with
Nucleus CP810, CP910, and CP920 Sound Processors
with rechargeable batteries only, in accordance with
the Aqua+ instructions.
Legal statement
The statements made in this guide are believed to be
true and correct as of the date of publication. However,
specifications are subject to change without notice.
© Cochlear Limited 2014

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Notes