Yes, the CI is like a BTE HA, but bigger. It is bigger because there is a lot more computing power housed in those processors. I don't care if people see it and in many ways, it's easier if they do so they know you have hearing loss, but everyone is different with how they feel about showing off their CI's. The processor comes off and you shower and wash your hair like you normally do. At first the sounds are strange, robotic, but that gets better with time. Everything sounds like it did before I lost my hearing but at first, everyone sounded like Minnie Mouse. It was actually pretty funny to listen to.