Why Bluetooth Was the Upgrade I Didn’t Know I Needed

Living with hearing loss doesn’t mean we’re any less connected to the world — not when we’ve got ever-improving technologies like cochlear implants helping us bridge the gap. These days, it’s easier than ever to learn tips and tricks that let us seamlessly integrate our hearing devices with our phones.

I use the Advanced Bionics Marvel CI processor, which was released in 2020 — the first model in the AB line to introduce Bluetooth streaming. Before that, I had to rely on bulky over-ear headphones. They were heavy, awkward to carry, and frankly not worth the effort most days.

I struggled with listening to music. I’d have to crank the volume up on an external speaker or physically hold my phone’s speaker to my CI mics — which made my arms ache after a while. More often than not, I stuck to watching TV or YouTube videos with captions, because at least then I could follow along without worrying if I actually heard the sound correctly.

Connecting My CIs to My Phone: What I Do Now

Since upgrading to the Marvel model, I’ve learned how to connect my CIs via Bluetooth, setting them up like regular wireless headphones.

One of the biggest game-changers for me was having built-in Bluetooth. Now, my CIs pair directly with my phone — like having built-in AirPods, only better!

These days, I’m almost always streaming music or watching videos. It’s been nearly four years since I upgraded, and honestly? I still find it exciting. I never expected to enjoy sound this clearly.

Phone Calls: Not Perfect, but So Much Easier

Bluetooth has been huge for phone calls, too. I won’t lie — I still struggle when the other person has a strong accent or talks too fast. For medical calls or anything important, I often still rely on someone to interpret or use a captioning app. But when I’m calling friends or family, I can usually manage just fine.

Sometimes I even surprise myself by catching jokes or sarcasm — things I used to miss completely.

The Power of Streaming: I Don’t Always Need Captions Anymore

Bluetooth has been so helpful that sometimes I don’t even need captions when I’m streaming audio or video. That’s something I never thought I’d say a few years ago.

It’s not that I’ve magically regained all my hearing — I haven’t. But the clarity of sound and the direct connection to my cochlear implants means less frustration and more freedom.

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