How did you come to pick the CI brand you wanted...

Miss-Delectable

Miss-Delectable

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and why?

Just curious about how people came to a point and settled on a brand.
From my understanding there's MedEl, Nucleus, and Freedom?
 
The 3 CI manufacturers are:

Advanced Bionics (HiResolution 90K with F120/Harmony BTE):

HiResolution Bionic Ear Cochlear Implant System -- with the AURIA BTE

Med-El (Pulsar):

MED-EL Cochlear Implants Worldwide Leader in Hearing Implants

Cochlear (Freedom):

Cochlear: innovator of the Nucleus Freedom cochlear implant system

I chose my CI based on several factors:

* Cochlear has been in the CI industry for over 20 years
* High reliability
* Excellent customer service
* BTE processor can use disposable batteries (and now rechargeables)
* BTE processor can be mapped 80,000 different ways
* Several different processing speeds (since some people do not benefit from faster processing speeds)
* Cochlear's Volunteer Advocate Program (which pairs CI candidates with experienced CI users in their area)

I'm very happy with the decision I've made. If I had to do it all over again, I'd pick Cochlear again in a heartbeat. :) At the same time, I know many people who are equally pleased with AB and Med-El.
 
Miss-Delectable said:
and why?

Just curious about how people came to a point and settled on a brand.
From my understanding there's MedEl, Nucleus, and Freedom?
Click to expand...

Hi I just noticed you are in Australia too :wave: I am in Sydney.

As for me I had nothing to pick - the Nucleus Freedom was the only model available in Australia since Cochlear has 100% of the market. I am glad I didn't have to pick - it makes life easier :giggle:

Either way I ended up with a good implant. What I love about it is the 4 different program slots that I can just switch over to as the occasion demands. Also if I don't like my new map I can go back to an old one stored in one of the slots. I only did that once but it's nice to know it's there.
 
R2D2 said:
Hi I just noticed you are in Australia too :wave: I am in Sydney.

As for me I had nothing to pick - the Nucleus Freedom was the only model available in Australia since Cochlear has 100% of the market. I am glad I didn't have to pick - it makes life easier :giggle:

Either way I ended up with a good implant. What I love about it is the 4 different program slots that I can just switch over to as the occasion demands. Also if I don't like my new map I can go back to an old one stored in one of the slots. I only did that once but it's nice to know it's there.
Click to expand...

:wave: to you as well. :)
Yeah, I know we fellow Aussies have to stick with Nucleus because it's all there are on offer.

Glad to hear that CI worked out well for you. Would you consider going bilateral? Was it BTE or body processor? Hope I'm not being a nosy parker, he he.
 
To answer the original question, I have the Freedom.

At the time I was considering a CI, the Freedom was in the last clinical trials. I could have chosen any of the three brands but I went with the Freedom.

I went with it for several reasons...(in no particular order)

1) Reliability
2) Allows for four programs
3) Decent battery life with BTE
4) Many successful outcomes
5) Curved electrode
6) I was invited to be in the clinical trials and I would get lots of opportunities to be mapped frequently up through the first six months and a lessor number of times up to a year.
7) Being in the study provided extra credits for me to get more accessories (I have gotten enough batteries to last for several years. Heck, I'm approaching two years and still have at least two more years to go before having to order any plus some other stuff).

All said and done, I'm one very happy camper and nary a regret going with the Freedom. It has been a great experience.
 
Miss-Delectable said:
:wave: to you as well. :)
Yeah, I know we fellow Aussies have to stick with Nucleus because it's all there are on offer.

Glad to hear that CI worked out well for you. Would you consider going bilateral? Was it BTE or body processor? Hope I'm not being a nosy parker, he he.
Click to expand...

Yes I am seriously thinking about going bilateral. My hearing aid in the unimplanted ear is just not cutting it for me - not enough clarity or power and my CI ear dominates it.

At the moment I am currently trialling other hearing aids, as they want to be satisfied that you have tried alternatives first. Then after that comes the testing stages to see if you would benefit from a CI.

I got both a BTE and bodyworn in the package. I always use the BTE and have never used the bodyworn but it's nice to know it's there as a back-up. I also buy my batteries from the US as I save 50% on the cost.
 
I got both a BTE and bodyworn in the package....

Nope,I believe that the stardard is two BTE's and the third option is the mini BTE. I looked at the body version and decided that the two BTE standards was the best for my needs.
 
jhayden said:
I got both a BTE and bodyworn in the package....

Nope,I believe that the stardard is two BTE's and the third option is the mini BTE. I looked at the body version and decided that the two BTE standards was the best for my needs.
Click to expand...

Two btes are better :) cuz bodyworns seems to me ugly :ugh:
 
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Any one with a CI an avid exerciser? I am thinking that inaddition to the BTE, a body processor would be convenient. I could use the body pack when exercising and not have to worry about sweat damage plus I could wipe off sweat without worrying about knocking the BTE to the floor.
 
The cochlear BTE comes in to two parts the processor unit and the controller unit, the bottom part. The top part along with the coil and the microphones stays on the ear and you attach a dummy controller with a cord to the body controller. If I were you I would just remove the implant and put in like a fanny pack until you are done. I would not wear mine when mowing the lawn for example. Why put up with the noise in the first place and put all the sweat on the processor? Even when the implant is sweat proof I would not put on more sweat on it when I can avoid it.

John
 
I didnt get to choose!! She showed me the Nucleus Freedom one thats it and had choose what color i want. Beside i wanted the Freedom anyway.
 
Highlands said:
Is that a standard for all CI users ?
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No. This varies from one CI center to another. Some CI centers provide 2 processors to each patient while others provide only one.

If a CI center provides two processors, the patient can choose between 2 BTEs, 2 bodyworn processors or one of each.

In my case, I chose 2 BTEs. Now that I'm bilateral, I'm currently using my 2 Freedom processors and keeping my two 3Gs as backup.
 
DevBaby said:
I didnt get to choose!! She showed me the Nucleus Freedom one thats it and had choose what color i want. Beside i wanted the Freedom anyway.
Click to expand...

This also varies from one CI center to the next. Some centers only implant one or two CI brands while others (like mine) implant all 3.
 
Hondu said:
Any one with a CI an avid exerciser? I am thinking that inaddition to the BTE, a body processor would be convenient. I could use the body pack when exercising and not have to worry about sweat damage plus I could wipe off sweat without worrying about knocking the BTE to the floor.
Click to expand...

I'm only familiar with the Nucleus Freedom so I will tell you the options with that. For the bodyworn you can buy a pouch to place around your arm. It looks just like the exercise pouch I've seen for Ipods. I was surprised at how slim and small the bodyworn looks so it might work out well for you. I'm sure the other brands would have something similar.

Also the BTE and sweat may not be such a big problem if you use your dry and store machine which comes in the package regularly. Also the Freedom (and the AB model too I believe) are water resistent so sweating won't be a problem to the functioning of it.

My friend who regularly goes to the gym wears her BTE and she puts some double sided 3M surgical tape on the BTE to stick it down to the ear so as to prevent it from falling. She thinks it works very well for her.
 
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