Walking through metal detectors at Airports with processors on?

[Rossy Robotina]

Hello everyone!

I’m relatively new to chatting here on Hearpeers, but I've been part of this community for several years. I’ve seen many intriguing discussions, and I have a question about going through airport metal detectors with cochlear processors on. Specifically, I use Sonnet2 processors for both ears.

I've heard from friends with other brands of implants that they've walked through metal detectors without any issues. I’m curious if it's safe for me to do the same? it is actually safe or not? My main concerns are whether the metal detectors might cause any problems with my processors, like erasing settings/maps or causing them to malfunction.

Has anyone had experience with this? I’d greatly appreciate hearing about your experiences or any advice you can offer!

 

A little about me:

I was diagnosed with progressive sensorineural hearing loss in both ears at age 6 and used hearing aids until I was 20, when I chose to get cochlear implants. My first implant was in August 2013, and the second followed in May 2014.

Thanks to early stimulation with hearing aids, I didn’t need speech therapy. I learned to speak English five years after my implants (my maternal language is Spanish). I hold a bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and Communication Disorders from Nova Southeastern University and I am currently applying for the Doctorate in Audiology program there, which I hope to start in May 2025.

I am originally from Venezuela but I’ve been living in the USA for about 15 years.

Feel free to connect with me on Instagram at @YoSoyRobotina.

If you have any questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you!

Thank you!

 

[Mary Beth]

@Rossy Robotina

Great to read your introduction.  Glad to have you posting in HearPeers.

I have flown many times, domestically and internationally, since getting my CIs and have never had any issues going through security with my processors on. 
 

I keep all other cochlear implants items in my backpack which stays with me on planes.

[Rossy Robotina]

oh wow @Mary Beth!!! 

Thank you for sharing your experience!!! I appreciate it

I have an upcoming trip to NYC and I would like to try to walk through metal detectors doors with them on but I'm really scared!!

my back ups processors are obsolete (Opus2) and I don't see myself in that trip with my processors broken due to metal detectors lol.

I would like to experience it ! 🥲 should I keep them on? or should I just put them in my bag? 

[Mary Beth]

I have OPUS 2 processors too and although Med-El has ended service on them, we can still have our audiologists program them and use them at least until they stop working.

I have not had any difficulty going through security screenings at airports, stores or events.  I just wear them and walk through like everyone else.

[Rossy Robotina]

I’m just realizing that I also walk through with them on at stores, events, concert stadiums, etc and never had any issue. 
So just need to think the metal detectors at the airport are like the ones that are at any store .. lol.

 

thank you again @Mary Beth 😀

[Lauren]

@Rossy Robotina

No issues here either with metal detectors and my CI stuff. TSA and airport staff generally know how to help. 

Only issues I’ve had is with some airlines directly if they have knowledge of my being deaf without my CIs. It’s a weird USA CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) specific quirk. 

[Dave in Pittsburgh]

I’m bi lateral I never had any airport or air line issue I even use it to my advantage in requesting early boarding as I prefer isle siting 

[Rossy Robotina]

Thank you for sharing your experience!  @Lauren

[Rossy Robotina]

Wow, so you just go in and out from the airport with them on? @Dave in Pittsburgh
I’ve been with my CIs for 11 years and always turned them off thinking they could stop working. Specially because MedEl itself said it’s better to take them off.

 

Thank you for sharing your experience Dave!  I appreciate it! 

[NathalieM]

Hi Rossy - great to read your background story!

I also have been travelling abroad, wearing Sonnet2 in both ears. Like you, I was always hesitant and would advise the security officers about my implants (I don't have backups). On my recent travel to UK/Greece, I knew we were going to fly through a few airports and quickly realized that I was raising more concerns than was needed. On my first flight, one officer almost panicked and tagged several other officers which caused unnecessary delay going through screening. After walking through with my CIs on without any issues at the next airport, I stopped alerting security, and I’ve had smooth experiences at every airport since.

[Rossy Robotina]

Hiiii @NathalieM !!  

I never had issues in the airport if I mention I’m deaf. They just try to guide me to pass through the security doors without my processors. I just want to experience to pass the security doors/metal detector doors without worrying if my sonnet2s will get damaged. 
I’m traveling to NYC in November and I would like to try to pass security with my processors on! 
I’ve been with my implants for 11 years now and im still turning them off and putting it in my backpack lol ..
 

thank you for sharing your experience! I appreciate it a lot!  

[Kylie]

I have a sonnet 1. I just walk through without changing anything or telling anyone and never had a problem.

[Rossy Robotina]

Thank you @Kyliefor sharing your experience! I think I’m definitely going to try to keep them on and pass security with confidence on my next trip!😅lol 

[Dave in Pittsburgh]

I never tell anyone why draw attention many people don’t even what a cochlear implant is

[Kylie]

2 hours ago, Dave in Pittsburgh said:

I never tell anyone why draw attention many people don’t even what a cochlear implant is

So true!!!!

[Rossy Robotina]

On 9/20/2024 at 7:16 AM, Dave in Pittsburgh said:

I never tell anyone why draw attention many people don’t even what a cochlear implant is

oh, that's so true! 🤣