The hospital where I work most frequently works with Cochlear Americas. They have engagement managers who are meant to help potential recipients through the candidacy process. They typically can connect you with a family who has gone through the same process. There are also books like this one that you can introduce for her. I do find the most helpful thing is letting kids be an active part of the process - choosing colors and discussing the process. Good luck to you. I specialize in pediatric cochlear implants for single-sided deafness and it can really be a wonderful thing!
For our daughter (nearing 7 and rather active) we've got a lot of mileage out of using wig tape. We tried a few different brands and this is the one that works best for her; some others actually had too much adhesive strength and were too much for her skin at that age. (So, your specific needs and thresholds may vary.)
It's a pretty low budget solution: A single piece of tape can last nearly a week since we just cut two small strips off in the morning - one aligned on the battery and one on the processor. Sometimes a second application can help in the afternoon/evening, but often the original pieces last all day.
That charger takes 12V. USB provides 5V. You need one of these to charge via USB: KUNCAN 5ft USB 5v to DC 12v Step Up Converter Cable, USB Port Voltage Converter to DC 5.5 x 2.1mm Connector https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01ID90K4A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_9XX0RN71TVFBM63GVWXC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 plus a simple barrel-connector adapter. This was my rig for years since I travel constantly (well, I did) and didn’t want to pack a bunch of wall plugs, not to mention my hotel rooms would run out of plugs quickly. A nice multi-outlet USB charging hub (like Anker PowerPort 10 (60W 10-Port... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YRYS4T4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) let me charge everything I carry.
I use mine all the time. It is paired with my MacBook Pro. I use it as my "headset" for the whole spectrum of virtual conferencing and webinar apps, including FaceTime. As a microphone, it works too-- but I have a near-broadcast-quality USB mic that my audiences seem to much prefer.
I really don't understand why folks stick with the mini-mic for interfacing with their computers when every computer/tablet/phone has Bluetooth these days. Headphone sockets are going the way of floppy-disk drives, so we should get used to the coming reign of our Bluetooth overlords, hm?
My phone clip is paired with my tablet, my Apple Watch, my Kindle... (but not my iPhone any longer, as my new N7s connect to that directly, but prior to those, my N6s were linked too).
Anyway, I can attest that the Phone Clip works brilliantly for teleconferencing and webcasting.
I use something like this for my hearing aids, and it works quite well. It's not very large either.
The one I got was this one off Amazon
However I’m sure the cheaper ones wireless/plug in that will do the same job
I don't know about powered, but I use these beads: https://www.amazon.ca/Super-Dri-Hearing-Dehumidifier-Hal-Hen/dp/B000B7I8FQ/ref=sr_1_7
I got two jars of them, then picked an airtight box that I liked and put them in that. For a long time I used a Pelican case which is 100% air and watertight, clamps shut and is basically unbreakable. It's awesome for travelling, but the clamps are kind of annoying to deal with for daily use. So now I've got a ceramic jar with a gasketed bamboo lid. I wasn't sure it would be airtight enough, but the moisture indicator beads stay blue for a long time so it seems like it works fine.
I use the Anker SoundCore Q20's when I'm traveling. Personally, I am a big fan of the MiniMic, TV Streamer, and Bluetooth Adapter when I'm at home, but enjoy these when on the road and want to be able to quickly take off my headphones to hear things around me.
However, I have 3 hesitations/gripes about purchasing these:
Hope this helps someone!
I have a slightly too big fitted baseball hat that I still wear when I'm in the Miata. I have two water-resistant adjustable hats for general yard work or walks to keep more sun off my neck; I keep one at home and one in our family car. I can vouch for their water resistance multiple times (even after washing).
My audiologist told me the batteries are incompatible between 6 and 7, so the chargers would probably be too.
Why, why, why, Cochlear?? ...There probably is a technical reason, such as better battery chemistry for higher energy density or somesuch, but dang, say so out-loud if that's the case.
It's a pity for the obvious reasons and also for the un-obvious one that the 6's charger requires a 12V input, which means lugging around a dedicated charger brick ...unless you run standard 5V USB-charger juice through a tiny step-up converter as I did for six years before upgrading to the 7. (A barrel adapter is also needed.) At least eliminating the brick will help you in your backpacking.
Yeah - probably said something like: Try turning the volume up on your tablet and down on the mic. That's be my first advice too.
Does your mini-mic hiss when not plugged in? Like, if you stick it in front of the tv? If it's fine, then the mic isn't the problem.
Does it hiss using a second device via aux? Like a phone or anything else?
If it's just when you're plugging in, try replacing the aux cable. The one that came with my mini-mic wasn't good.
Low budget cables can lack proper shielding, which means hiss/static. And a longer cable has more distance to pick up noise on. So, try getting a better cable - I mean like a $10 cable instead of a $2 one.
I have this one, and it's fine, at ~$7. - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0100NK0VU/
The Baha5 does not do direct streaming, but there is a volume & eq controller for android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cochlear.bahasmart&hl=en_US&gl=US
We've used this app on many generations of Moto phones over the years and never had a problem, but now the newest phone won't connect.
I wonder if you could use something like this instead of a headset, then just plug your transmitting accessory into the stereo out port. Then the conference speaker becomes your microphone and you don't need headphones at all.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07WD52LXJ/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_5P7NY61AYNXA25QXEZS1
You mention UK charger so I don't know if "Pelican" brand cases are available in your neck of the woods.
Their "1040" cases fits my US plug, wire, charger plate (my sound processor is Marvel CI), & a spare battery. Hard case, water tight, etc.
Here's mfg link: https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/cases/micro/1040?sku=1040-025-100
Here's Amazon USA link: https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Case-Pelican-1040-Micro/dp/B001DQOL5U
Also there seems to be more fashionable Pelican options than the rugged look of 1040 too. I like the utilitarian stuff.
I found this item:
One thing I'm not sure is the power output. Do you think this is sufficient?
Battery anxiety is a thing!
I keep one of these strapped to my belt or in a cargo pocket: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0028N84GY ...This particular product is not currently available on Amazon (it came in several colors, is US-made, and is built like a tank) but there are plenty of others. Mine is six years old and has not a single frayed thread despite being with me every single waking moment.
Inside of mine are several stretchy loops that are JUST the right size for the N6 batteries. The overall pouch is perfectly sized for a passport, and I carry a couple other small gizmos in it too. You could zip an iPhone in it too if you wanted.
So... does it qualify as a murse? I'll take the hit if so.
Sonic Alert Large Digital Clock, Loud Alarm Clock for Heavy Sleepers with Snooze, Full Range Brightness Dimmer, Outlet Powered Digital Clocks for Bedroom, Desk, Bedside, Shelf (gray) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EX5HRO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_KMrTFbBMXT12Q
I’ve used this for years probably since 2008 and it hasn’t failed on me. It’s pretty reliable :) and reasonable as well
Our current iteration is a snugfit hook and this double-sided tape. Part of our morning routine is cutting off two small strips of tape off one of the strips - something she generally enjoys doing herself - and lining the inside of the processor. One vertically on the battery, and one overlapping that at an angle onto the processor. So it basically just adds a layer of adhesive to the skin behind her ear once it's hooked on. We did try a few different brands of tape before settling on that particular one. Some of the others were actually too strong and either irritated her skin from wear, or straight up hurt her trying to pull it off. So, for what it's worth, I specifically recommend that brand from our own test runs.
pros: Anecdotally, I notice a fairly significant difference. It's entirely possible to have a jump-on-the-bed-roll-on-the-ground playtime and not have the processor come off once. That's not to say it never ever falls off, but those times are actually the exception instead of the exception being it staying on when we didn't expect it to.
cons: The snugfit is stupidly overpriced. And not terribly durable. For us, the bottom portion of the hook constantly needs readjusted, and the material wears out in less than six months (the silicon/rubber covering starts to fray and the metal portion inside eventually breaks). But, to date, we still notice a difference switching between one of these and one of the standard kid-sized ear hooks, so we just eat the cost, because it seems worth it. That said, I personally know a few families with similarly aged kids who do use a regular hook with tape and they do just fine.