CI Selection

i would say google cochlear implants and u shud come up with a comparison chart of some sort...if not each company has a package that anyone can request with info on their current implants. I've never seen one for Med-El although I am sure i ordered one for a project i did but never received it...i have a info package from cochlear and one from advanced bionics as well...both great with lots of info
 
most comparison charts on the internet are inaccurate and out of date. be sure to check the dates on them.
 
Hear Again said:
most comparison charts on the internet are inaccurate and out of date. be sure to check the dates on them.
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I agree. And many of them you see are plugging in for their OWN company. Like, Cochlear will say that theirs are better because they've been around for more than 20 years and have 22 electrodes. Med-El will say theirs are better because it's smaller and more "green". AB would say that they have much more potential and currently hasn't reached the max of the potential with the HiRes90K.

Personally - I rather hear from the horses' mouth and tell it like it is and then decide for myself. However, it didn't happen in my situation as Cochlear was the only thing my audiologist and surgeon do. So I didn't really need to boggle my mind on making the right decision.
 
Ok here are my views - I personally think all three brands of CIs deliver best results and no one CI brand is superior than the other. It is just a matter of personal choice - whether you like the features, the durability and reliability, the post-implantation support, etc. I am a Cochlear Freedom recipient, and I took almost 2 years researching on my options.

1. Cochlear claims it has been in the industry for 20 years - it is very true, and they have more experience in making better cochlear implants. On top of it, it is the most reliable CI, has excellent programming options, good features, etc.

2. Advanced Bionics is another leading CI manufacturer, and it was my first choice. But I changed my mind because it was more "feature-driven" & I had doubts about reliability. Reliability matters for the long term; I certainly dont want to undergo a number of surgeries if my internal device fails for some reason. But overall, I would still prefer AB - excellent support and a great AB community. Since AB isn't your option in NY, lets leave that out.

3. I cant say much about Med-el since I never considered it seriously. I had doubts about ceramic casing, reliability, number of electrodes, programming options, etc. But I have heard from some people, Med-el is very popular in Europe; I still don't get it how people do so well with it despite its drawbacks. Still, I would say it is a CI device and would deliver the same desired results.

I have seen many kids about a year old, hooked on to Cochlear and ABs in US. And Cochlear even manufactures mini speech processors behind the ear, with a Mic Lock and some more features to fasten the CI and prevent it from getting damaged. Another thing, since you are in NY, they have a very reputed medical team I believe and you could possibly ask the surgeon details about the surgery. Coming back to the CI brand, I am more than happy with my Cochlear Freedom & I think it would benefit anyone else. But all three brands will deliver the same desired results - no doubt. We can easily say this brand is better than that, but then it is just based on individual preferences and experiences.
 
I made my choice for Adanced Bionics after months of researching each company. I agree with Hugoboss84 that not one CI company is superior to the other.

I picked AB for a few reasons:
1. The Hi-Res implant - I felt it would enable a better chance of hearing music.
2. The design - I did not feel I could wear the Med-El design after 27 years of hearing aids. Too much of a transition in shape and design. I must say I do like the Cochlear design.
3. AB batteries - The batteries are fantastic. I received 4 12 hour batteries and 4 24 hour batteries in August 2007. I have not purchased any new one since. My insurance also covers 90% of the cost of batteries.
4. Music, T-Mic, and fit - Personal choice. I love the T-mic it allows for the sound to come into the ear not behind like a hearing aid. It is very different sound. I can also wear ear buds for my ipod instead of a direct cable since the sound is going to the t-mic.
5. Programs - I have three programs - Hi-Res P, Squeaky shoe program(teacher, hallway duty, 900 squeaky shoes on rainy day ), and a 50-50 my emergency program incase my t-mic goes out. I don't change programs unless squeaky day. I don't need too. I love that feature.
6. My audiologist and doctor do all three implants.

Don't pick it based on cute nick nacks, look at what is upgradable and best for your type of hearing loss. My results will be different from yours. I also hear at normal hearing, I still don't understand it completely, but I hear it.
 
vallee said:
3. AB batteries - The batteries are fantastic. I received 4 12 hour batteries and 4 24 hour batteries in August 2007. I have not purchased any new one since. My insurance also covers 90% of the cost of batteries.
4. Music, T-Mic, and fit - Personal choice. I love the T-mic it allows for the sound to come into the ear not behind like a hearing aid. It is very different sound. I can also wear ear buds for my ipod instead of a direct cable since the sound is going to the t-mic.
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The Battery option is interesting for AB. Does it also depends on how powerful your programs are that drains out the battery faster like Cochlear? My left battery drains more faster than my right because it has more powerful programs and DR is much higher.

Since I was kind of left without a choice (I did not like my first Audiologist that does both AB and Cochlear, so AB was out. My audiologist who I absolutely trust only does Cochlear as well as the surgeon only does Cochlear), I'm pretty itching to see if Cochlear will ever attempt at trying to get some sort of "t-mic" thing for their new model. I can't really tell any difference if the sounds are "behind" my ear or whatever. Maybe it has to do with the three microphones? It so seriously sucks that there's no way to "try"!
 
The battery can drain quickly in high power programs. My 12 hour don't last 12 hours, but that is okay. My battery is on energy saver and last around 9 hours. I just put in the 24 hour and recharge when I get home.

I didn't think I would like the T-Mic either. After always hearing from behind the ear, it is a welcome change. I hope cochlear does, as the technology is changing so fast. I can't keep up with it.

The most important part is to have a audiologist you can trust. Mapping is the most important part of implants. Bad map equals less hearing.
 
I chose MedEl due to many ethical and practical reasons. It was after a very long research and time consuming study of all three CI companies. The ceramic implant was a huge plus since I never have to worry about it breaking down like silicone ( I plan on living a long time ). And the remote control come in handy in so many situations and makes the CI unit itself more water resistant since there is less openings on the processor for water or debris to get in.

Any audiologist can program any CI within a matter of a few hours of training.

If I had to make a choice for my kid's CI, I would pick MedEl hands down.
 
just to clarify for other readers, the cochlear freedom is made of titanium.
 
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