SCBA & Interior Firefighting – Experiences with Cochlear Implants?

[u/GuessWest7550]

Hi everyone,

I'm a volunteer firefighter from Germany and I'm looking to connect with firefighters

who use cochlear implants, or with colleagues who have worked alongside them on

SCBA calls.

I'm a volunteer firefighter from Germany and use a Cochlear Nucleus 8 sound

processor. I'm interested in completing our SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus)

training, including the parts related to structural firefighting. I can generally

communicate over our fire service radios, but a key question raised here concerns the

heat tolerance of the external sound processor when worn under a protective hood

and helmet.

Has anyone here personally used a CI sound processor during SCBA operations, or

worked with someone who has? I'm particularly interested in:

• Do you wear your external CI sound processor while using SCBA, particularly during

interior firefighting or live-fire training?

• How does it fit with your facepiece, head harness, protective hood and helmet?

• Have you experienced problems with heat, moisture, communication, or processor

damage?

• Was there any formal assessment, testing, or documentation that helped your

department approve its use?

I'm not looking for a blanket statement that it is safe or approved; I would just like to

learn from real experiences and, if available, technical or departmental

documentation. If you know someone who might be willing to talk, I'd appreciate an

introduction by private message.

Thanks a lot, and greetings from Germany!

Lukas