I chose Cochlear Corp , the Freedom model for the reasons
- it was widely available anywhere in the globe
- it had the LCD on the Freedom BTE , something that I find HIGHLY useful , even for my family , in any emegenerce.For me , having to memorize blinks or having to test run every equipment isn't what I wanted.I still test my coils and what not , change them often so they all get the same wear.Plus , my family have a leaflet of the messages the little LCD shows , and they can do simple things , like change batteries , or check the coil if I'm not around.Last time my mom saw a message, and I was in the shower.I told her to pull it out and re put it more securely.If that didn't work I'd tell her to change coils , I always carry a spare one when I'm on a trip.
- it had backwards and forwards compatible with any external of Cochlear.My audie has a spare 3G for anyone to wear till he gets his freedom fixed ( we don't get spares in Greece )
- I had found an Europe site that sold most of the Freedom things in better prices , like the coils , batteries , magnets.The company here in Greece has INFLATED prices.( more like triple prices )
- No need for remote control ( it's useful , but I'd keep losing it! ) although there IS talk of newer BTE cochlear model with remote control...
- Also , I figured that more than half of people I'd contacted about CI both in Greece and abroad , chosen Cochlear , so it couldn't go wrong.
- Internal implant had 24 electrodes , and various mapping techniques, especially for the Freedom implant.
- It had the option of both , rechargeables , and plain batteries.I use the rechargeables for day to day activities , but when I'm going to a trip , I'm packing some plain in my laptop bag.That way , I don't spend as many batteries as I should.And I always recycle the plain ones.I like going green.And the disposable is handy, too.( the rechargeable I think got out recently , but when I was implanted , it was out )
- It had the ability to connect to anything in a trice , without changing anything ( I do believe the other companies , need special casings or hooks , depending on the model )
- It has separate buttons for each action , or seperate combinations too to do some slight changes, like volume , sensitivity, or T-Coil , or external equipment.Oh and change map slot too.
- Plus , it has the child lock.it is advertised so the kids wouldn't play with it , for kiddos that wear their implant.But I find it useful as I have little hands getting my implant.I just let them see it for a bit then put it on my ear again.no need to check anything!
- Last , Cochlear box had inside a Dry n Store box!it's too useful.If it wasn't inside , I'd buy it , it saved my arse more times than I count.
The only complaint I've had from my implant is that it was heavy at first ( compared to a hearing aid ) and that the plastic casing that covers the socket for mp3 cords and stuff is peeling away.they should redesign that.And I occasionaly use my mp3 player , or the tv cord.I wonder what happened to the other Freedom users that use that every day?