Question about upgrading my Cochlear Implant

JoeyDeafNinja

JoeyDeafNinja

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First of all, I had cochlear implant when I was 3 years old which that was in about 1996-1997. I never had it upgraded or whatsoever. Today I still have that box thingy and are useable but are breaking due aging. Magent piece is missing in grass two years ago and still is not able to find it. :(. I hate yellow grass haha. I still can't believe how short the grass are and I can't find it!

However, today I am considering to get new one with medicare covered hopeful. So since I still have old magent in my head, do I need to have surgery again to replace with new one or just get new cochlear with right mapping?

My cochlear is Spectra 22 Speech Processor, made in 1994. Is it possible to "upgrade" from that?
 
which internal implant do you have? N24? N22? If it's the N22, you can upgrade to the Freedom processor; N24 upgrade to N5. Check this link for more info on upgrading: Cochlear™ Nucleus® Upgrade Program. Get a hold of your CI clinic and let them know you want to upgrade, they should be able to help you out and get the required insurance process for upgrading. You can also contact Cochlear directly too for help. Surely you can upgrade with Medicare with no issue, since your old processor is OLD (Medicare will generally pay for upgrades when the processor is 5 years old).
 
I'm guessing you might have the N22, since the N24 was released in 1998, and from the fact that you have the Spectra 22. You will have to ask your CI clinic for more info about this for sure, they would have your files and can find out which specific internal implant you have.
 
One thing you can say: lots of years of hearing= since being implanted-17 years ago.

You should be able to obtain complete info from clinic/hospital where you were implanted.

Good luck in getting a modern Cochlear Implant.
 
Last I talked to Cochlear's insurance-dealing dep't, they said that the insurance industry will consider total replacement if ALL components are now obsolete....so, sounds like you will need to have the internals replaced as well. If you have the N22, you can't upgrade, as the Freedom is now obsolete.

Besides, you don't want the Freedom, as the N5 is that much better.
 
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