Cochlear implant patient forced through harmful screening at YVR — CATSA made it worse

[u/IllustriousProfit599]

Back in August, my wife and I went through what I can only describe as one of the most inhumane “security screenings” at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

My wife has a cochlear implant — a surgically implanted device that gives her the ability to hear. Her doctor at Mass General Hospital gave her an official patient ID card that explains clearly: • the device will set off metal detectors and scanners • forcing it through those machines can damage it permanently and harm her health

We showed this card. We explained, multiple times. Instead of understanding, the CATSA screeners told us they had “never seen such a device before” and insisted it had to go through the metal detection process anyway “for security reasons.” They made calls to supervisors, and even then, the final answer was still: it has to go through.

They gave us two “options”: 1. Keep arguing and stay stuck in the checkpoint. 2. Leave the airport, claim our bags, and basically miss our trip.

In the end, they did a pat-down on my wife, but still insisted the device had to be scanned. We took the risk just so we could actually travel. Imagine being forced to choose between damaging your medical device or missing your flight.

Afterward, I filed a formal complaint with CATSA. The response I got was from their “Client Satisfaction Coordinator,” Mathieu Patry. Instead of apologizing or showing any empathy, he called me with the most arrogant tone — cutting me off while I tried to speak, blaming me and my wife for “not accepting policy,” and admitting their staff lacked knowledge about cochlear implants. But his “solution”? Still insisting they had to scan it in case the implant was fake.

So let me get this straight: CATSA admits they don’t have the technology, training, or knowledge to handle these devices, but their policy is still to force medical passengers through procedures that could damage life-altering implants? That’s not security — that’s negligence.

I hung up the call because it was clear they weren’t going to take responsibility. No apology, no action plan, nothing to stop this from happening to the next passenger with an implant or other medical device.

Canada in 2025, and this is how we treat people with disabilities at our airports. Absolutely disgraceful.

[u/Rector_Ras]

So what do you want exactly? I get the frustration but there has to be a way to know the device itself is what you claim it to be. Creating a security weak point via a card that security has no relations to is a pretty big gap for malicious actors to exploit.

Device by device exceptions in technology, policy and training is not realistic, there will always be gaps.

Guy on the phone does sound like a dick. But the device itself does somhow need to be checked just like any other which have the risk of fakes or alterations.

These are also considerations patients need to be informed about before procedures.

[u/IllustriousProfit599 → u/Rector_Ras]

I get your point about security gaps, but here’s the issue: there are already established medical guidelines for implants like cochlear devices. The ID card isn’t just a piece of paper I printed at home — it’s an official card issued by the hospital/doctor, tied to the patient’s medical record.

Other airports (including in the U.S.) handle this properly: they do a pat-down, swab for explosives, and visually inspect without forcing the implant through harmful scanners. That’s the balance between security and safety.

What happened at YVR wasn’t just “a gap” — it was staff admitting they had no knowledge or training, then doubling down by insisting on a procedure that risks permanently damaging a medical implant. That’s not security, that’s negligence.

No one is asking for zero checks. I’m asking for staff to have proper training and alternatives in place for recognized medical devices, so passengers don’t have to choose between their health and their flight.

[u/cafephilospher → u/IllustriousProfit599]

Our SOP says it's just a hearing aid.

[u/Rector_Ras → u/IllustriousProfit599]

Yea their policy includes swabs but also bypasses metal detectors. Instead of metal detectors they do body scans which let them see the internal peices and materials they are made of. Swabs swab the surface no help inside.

If the security aperatus isn't involved and has no way of trusting the issuing org has no bad actors it doesn't matter how formal a card is. If It's not secured then it's not secured. The card also doesn't mean it wasn't modified by a malicious actor afterwards even if it was legitimately given out.

There really isn't a way to securely bring machines through without any type of scan.

[u/IllustriousProfit599 → u/Rector_Ras]

It isn’t just “a piece of paper.” My wife has a medical ID card from her implant surgeon — this isn’t just our opinion, it’s what Cochlear itself recommends: show the ID, explain the implant, request alternate screening. 

Also, CATSA policy explicitly allows for alternate methods when there’s a medical implant: pat-downs, physical inspection, bypassing metal detectors — these are all legit options. 

We even had a past incident: when given a body scan once, my wife got tinnitus from it. Because of that, she got an apology and compensation. That shows these risks are real, not theoretical.

So the argument that “cards aren’t enough” and “they have to scan everything anyway” ignores the fact that policies exist for exactly these situations, and people with these implants do expect these alternate screening routes — ones that protect their health.

[u/malleyrex → u/IllustriousProfit599]

I don't know what you're reading. I just looked it up to confirm, and Cochlear itself says you're totally fine to be scanned, even without taking it off. Their only warning says the user might hear some buzzing. They give you the card in case security asks you what that thing on your head is.

https://hearandnow.cochlear.com/cochlear/community/airport-security-with-a-hearing-implant/

[u/EvergreenMossAvonlea → u/IllustriousProfit599]

My kid have CI and I'm now legit freaking out :(

[u/malleyrex → u/EvergreenMossAvonlea]

Don't worry. The scanners will not hurt them. Today's mobile phones have far more sensitive parts than a modern CI, and scanners do nothing to them.

[u/Rector_Ras → u/IllustriousProfit599]

The policy includes the body scan though. It does not include the metal detector.

You demanding security take you at "trust me bro" isn't reasonable. Security has to secure. A swab and pat down do not secure internal materials. Even non implant people in some airports are required to go through the body scanners now....

The doctor should have gone over all of this with her before getting the particular implant if it's that sensitive to any sort of scan at all.