I just recived a email from Cochlear America, They have asked me to partipice in the survey for the next generation of CI.
I am curious what the next generation are
On the other hand....I hate to sound like a spoilsport, but just b/c a company is coming out with new stuff, it doesn't mean that it will be affordable or available to the average consumer. For example there are really high tech wheelchairs and prosethises that are available, which are WICKED good. Unfortunatly the gross majority of insurances don't cover them.
that sounds like a Luddite... almost. So are you saying something like - "if it ain't broke.... then don't fix it"? as in... if a plain ol' hearing aids are fine, don't bother continuing to make better upgrades? better technology?why do you need a Sun Microsystem computer when you can do the same work on a plain ol' laptop?
The Freedom implant just came out last year.
Yup. For now - CI is the best you can get for near-human quality. What i mean about near-human quality is that yes it's the comprehension and discrimination. I forget how many sound channels that human ears have but they say human ears is equivalent to around 8 channels (I could be wrong) and HA is only about 2-3 channels which is why when we listen to people talking to us, it sounds like . CI can overcome this obstacle but not to the point where you can discern the difference between each musical chord.As for near-human level - what do you mean by that? I would say half of the CI users has that type of level. I can hear everything on the 10db line, so you could say that I hear better than hearing people. It's the COMPREHENSION and DISCRIMINATION that makes or breaks on how a CI'er is successful and can be near-hearing person.
I know there's a few out there that has 90 to 100% sentence discrimination. Others are lower. Either they didn't grow up with AVT training, didn't do the training exercises, or just don't care (my friend doesn't give a hoot's ass about it. She just want to hear music better).
Yes clinical studies and lab tests but still not proven. These are only good enough to pass the FDA regulation. It would be proven if tested by hundreds of thousands consumers on large scale.Jiro - I think even if there's a new technology like this, there will be a lot of studies before it can be open to the public. Yes, it *may* be buggy, but that's a risk you take. It's not as if you're doing the first phase of the study.
HA is only about 2-3 channels which is why when we listen to people talking to us, it sounds like
I just recived a email from Cochlear America, They have asked me to partipice in the survey for the next generation of CI.
I am curious what the next generation are
Yup. For now - CI is the best you can get for near-human quality. What i mean about near-human quality is that yes it's the comprehension and discrimination. I forget how many sound channels that human ears have but they say human ears is equivalent to around 8 channels (I could be wrong) and HA is only about 2-3 channels which is why when we listen to people talking to us, it sounds like . CI can overcome this obstacle but not to the point where you can discern the difference between each musical chord.
Yes clinical studies and lab tests but still not proven. These are only good enough to pass the FDA regulation. It would be proven if tested by hundreds of thousands consumers on large scale.
oh? 6 channels? I actually don't know how many channels mine has. I mean - there are some instruments (especially wind instruments) that have chords with small differences between each other - can be heard by hearing person but not by HA/CI (not always but generally).My daughter was getting new aides 2 or 3 yrs ago and she got the 6 channel digitals. so HA's do have up to 6 channels now.
You can't tell the difference between chords? Hmm. Maybe it does make a difference in how well one heard music before the hearing got so bad because I can. Oh well. everyone is different.
I would guess they need some imput into what is working and what needs improvement for future programming options. They really need imput from those who have the implants and the larger the number of people who want a certain thing the easier it is for them to decide what the next focus should be. Smart sounds 2 focused alot on music perception and is now available. If you've been using SS2 mapping stratigies then they are interested in what you think works and what you would like to see in future programs. They really want to work with and for their customers.
Actually, the Freedom was released in mid 2005. I know this because I was several months shy of being implanted (left ear) with the Freedom versus the N24.