eggyman

Med el speech processor do look like gun LOL that y i not like them i turned it down cos that was give only choice :O

Deafness

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cdmeggers

Angel, we both had appointments today! I had to get an MRI done too actually. Surgeon decided we needed to be sure about ossification in my left ear (CT scan was clear, but my mom was questioning it because of what we've been told for so long, so he decided MRI was necessary just to be sure. I guess sometimes CT scan will be clear, but then when surgeon gets into the ear he finds ossification so CT isn't always right). Yeah. But I did order my AB processors (1 harmony, 1 neptune). Now just gotta wait for surgery to happen (March 21), then activation (April 3). I'm excited!

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Angel1989

Sounds like things are moving along nicely for you. I had my 3rd hearing test today which I don't quite understand. I get a NO RESPONSE on both ears. Has not changed. Still had to sit there for an hour and let them know what the recorded sentences were saying. I sat there and twiddeld my thumbs. MRI is in 3weeks since I have to be sedated. Has to be done in the hospital down town. Getting insurance approval they say anywhere from 30-90days. That still would mean I could get implanted before my 1 year anniversary date of becoming deaf. May 29. I am going with thr nucleus5 Freedom i hope its the right choice.

cdmeggers

yeah audie wanted a more recent hearing test results of my right ear unaided. Hey we're doing the left ear, why test the right one again? haha yeah oh well it's how they work I guess. Hope everything goes well for you Angel and that you can get your CI soon! If you feel like Cochlear is the best choice, go for it! My surgeon says both Cochlear and AB devices are really good devices (he didn't say anything about Med-El and I didn't even ask) so you really can't go wrong with which device to get.

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Angel1989

In doing tons of research I think I am going to change my decision. I had chose Nucleus Freedom. Now I think I want the AB Harmony even tho my doctor recommends Nucleus. Nucleus Freedom is an old model. AB Harmony is newer and seems to be able to do more.
So confused!!!!

cdmeggers

I'm guessing you'd be getting the Freedom internal implant, with the N5 processor set up, as that's how it's being done for Cochlear at the moment (if you go with Cochlear). But the decision is totally up to you. Making the decision can be hard and crazy with all the information out there.

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BleedingPurist

You are doing excellent, Angie. Continue the research. The external processors will come and go. Cochlear has the N5 now, but then AB will have a new processor designed using the technology available from Phonak in 1 to 2 years. Just look at Phonak to get an idea of what's coming. Keep in mind that AB users really don't switch programs much because they don't need to.... we don't have dual mics because users roundly thumbs-downed them when used in clinical trials. They interfere with the naturalness of the sound. I didn't even like it on my hearing aid! We love our T-Mics! The benefit of the Phonak cooperation will be the sleek design, miniturization, and connectivity to a wide variety of sources wirelessly.

Focus on the capabilities of the internal implant, that is what stays put. Understand how the electrodes work and the different strategies.

stream2525

Acivation will be very soon. Isn't it always month after ?

Angel1989

So I made my decision. I am going with the Cochlear Freedom with the Nucleus5 Processor.
Still have to have my MRI on March 13. After that doctor will make the final decision if I qualify. Once we get insurance approval then set the surgery date. I will start freaking out after that!!!!!

cdmeggers

It varies from center to center. Some people actually get activated like 3-5 days after surgery, but more commonly about 2 weeks to a month.


Angel, good luck with the MRI and so on!

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Angel1989

My surgeon says 6 weeks before activation. He says the surgery site has to heal up nice before any activation.

drphil

My activation was 4 weeks. I understand this is common.
I was "allowed" to go swimming within 2 weeks but suggested that no weightlifting- over head- for 6 months. The doctor was very careful-"splitting the skull healing stitches" is no fun to repair! Didn't want to go to Emergency with an "open wound". Not worth it.

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dhn121

I was planning on doing that for DS (4 yrs old). AB processors (1 harmony, 1 neptune). I wondered if that was an option. Glad to know that it is. He's use to having his hearing aids BTE so I wasn't sure he would adapt to the body worn device. Let me know if you find it bothersome to have 2 different device switched back and forth or if it made a difference at all. I was hoping to keep it simple. switch to the neptune at bath time and use the harmony for all the other time. scheduled for implant 3/23/12. going in for selection next week.

cdmeggers

if your center gives 2 processors, then yes you can get 1 of each. I plan on using the Neptune first at activation, to give my ear a bit more time to heal up before wearing the Harmony. When I wear the Harmony more full time, I'll use the Neptune for wet situations or if my ear needs a break from the BTE.

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eggyman

I had a look 2 cochlear implant are Med el and AB .I have dediced that am going with Med el ,The speech processor do look like a gun but i am not concern about it because they have improved battery quantity ,So they have usually 3 battery now they can do 2 battery therefore is small speech processor and also they have reduce the size coil magnet .Have u seen electrode array med el implant had ?? That was very special array,is look like soft rubber ,very smooth and soft.when insert the nerves is to stop damage inside delicate skins
I think Med el is the best choice 4 me
Am waiting for implant and operation booked if all goes ahead

Angel1989

I am a litttle worried now. My "all clear" MRI is next week. Yesterday I had a small seizure and fell. I am praying this doesn't change, or delay my CI surgery. I pray my MRI shows no problems with my brain, and that everything is back to normal. I hope everyone else going through this journey is doing well and not hitting any speed bumps.

Rebekah

my experience: AB in right ear, removed due to problems, AB in left ear, sound was ok but not great. I'm late-deafened but use ASL. Seven years after removing AB in right ear I got Med-El put in on right ear. Wow, sound is fantastic. I have Neptune AB in left ear which is so lousy compared to my Med-El that I hardly ever use it. Med-El is so much better, the sound is like I remember, I can use the phone again, hear the television and radio, it is like I am hearing again. I highly recommend the Med-El. They have much better technology. They avoid all the bells and whistles that AB has. They focus on the implant itself. I don't have any experience with Cochlear, but if Med-El can give me back sounds like I used to hear, then I am very happy. I want to remove the AB in my left ear and get another Med-El, even though I just got the new Neptune.

eggyman

i do like what u have put comment , i cannot wait for the switch on about 3 weeks away as i have med el implant inserted in my head .i have be told by the surgeon that Med el have never had any recall so that tell u something special about med el .


wore phonak HA 31yrs
senisneural hearing loss nov 2011
Med el implanted 19/07/2012
switch on ...... waiting

BleedingPurist

I can believe you hear better in your right ear than your left, but that doesn't mean it's the implant. What bells and whistles are Med El avoiding? How does AB not focus on the implant itself (when that is precisely what they do.) What were the initial problems?

Most post-linguals experience sound like they remember it with their AB implant. The implant can be adjusted to any level including what you use with Med El. More than likely the issue is your own physiology. Putting a Med El in your left ear isn't necessarily going to give you what you have in your right.

If you disagree, perhaps you'd like to go into detail on how Med El has much better technology and what these cumbersome bells and whistles are? Use facts and technical specifications. Then we will have a better understanding of what works better for you.

BleedingPurist

Just as I suspected, another hit and run propaganda campaign. I always respected Med El, but if they are sending people out on the internet to drop posts like this on any hearing loss related forums the way Cochlear has in the past with their paid advocates, they are going to drop off my list of respected companies. The practice insults their targets by addressing them as if they are idiots who don't question claims. "Just get this implant, most advanced tech. I dunno why, it just is! I had three AB devices fail and two Cochlear devices fail and they all sounded like crap an now I hear better than I did when I wuz hearing!"

Yeah.. an implant that basically uses CIS, a strategy that both Cochlear and AB moved on from years ago, is magically the most advanced.