AB vs. Cochlear

lovezebras

lovezebras

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I am trying to make a pros and cons list of both but am having a hard time...I remember there was a thread a while back comparing the 3 companies...but I was unable to find it...

help please and thanksss:ty:
 
I know only speak for myself so know that what I'm about to say is only my personal opinion.

I just recently had to make this decision and I too debated between these two brands. Here are the reasons my final decision was to go with Cochlear.

First of all the Nucleus 5 was just coming out. So it was the brand new thing on the market. It's smaller then all the others that was a big plus for me because I have small ears. It comes with a remote and I felt that would be great to have too. The implant itself is thinner (internal part). It only used two batteries.

But the biggest reason I decided to go with Cochlear was their long standing. They've had more experience. I also didn't like how unsteady AB seems to be. The fact that it was sold kind off to another company made me feel a little uneasy about them because new ownership is bound to take time to adjust.

I know that when I made my decision I listened more to the people who have a CI's opinion rather then the claims of the company's. I'm not saying that AB isn't good or that you should get cochlear. This is just my personal opinion.

I hope it helps in some way.

Ron Jaxon
 
I am pretty dead set on Cochlear and especially since they came out with the N5. I have small ears as well and have always liked the look of cochlear's processors more than AB and Med-EL. The thing I like about AB is the t-mic but if the t-coil is good in the N5 which some people I have heard have no trouble on the phone then I'm fine with that. I also like the color choices and the 4 program slots for the N5 as well as it being water resistant (esp for sports reasons) and I like how much thinner the internal implant is :) Also the N5 btw is much smaller with the rechargeable battery which I am excited to see:) Canada has the rechargeable option out already. Some of the tech specs are higher with the AB vs Cochlear but I've heard positive results from many people with whatever implant they choose so I'm sure they are all similar in sound:)

I also like how Cochlear has been around for a lot longer and that they have always given me updates about new products etc and any new info on anything they send to me automatically
 
Hi Alicia, My reasons was excatly same as yours when i was comparing with AB and Cochlear, I had quite tough time choosing both, Med-el was dismissed as soon i know about it, it never appealled me because of the shape of it, lack of info (I was assessed 2 years ago so things have moved on) etc. So it was tough choosing between AB and Cochlear, I looked into my lifestyle, I ride horses every day (if i can), Sail and race on boats most weekends, Ski every season, I am quite tough outdoor person so would be up for anything from paint balling to quad biking. so I would need quite tough/water resistant processor, which cochlear gained the point. Because i am outdoor person, Batteries comes on, I need the option of both rechargeables and disposeables so I use rechargeables when i am at home or doing normal every day stuff (i am a T.A) but when i go away i take the disposables so that i don't have the hassle of finding if there is a plug on the boats, or on camp site, being caught out without batteries in other country as we cannot buy rechargeables in a local shop but most shops have 675's even camera shop. so Cochlear gains another point.
Backward compatiable, cochlear gains another point.
Direct input with accessorises, cochlear gains another point

so on then i realised that cochlear does suit me the best in my ways. I am told that the internal parts of all device are very similar so none are better than others (CI centre said they would only use one if there is best one).
Recently, at my CI centre said on their letter that AB can only have 2 new covers per year as they are quite fragile and it costs too much to replace them ransomly. And the T-Mic are easily lost if changing for FM use/direct links. I am glad that i don't have the pressure of thinking "i have to look after it very carefully" whereas Cochlear i had it through wars (it had been dropped many times on tiled floors, been though washing machine (short cycle) only came out with damaged coil but the processor was fine but it's something i wouldn't want go through again!!! it scared the life out of me with worry but i was very relieved to hear the sounds again!)
 
I didn't think of the other sports or activities I do...so I guess cochlear is better for me too...I snowboard and such so I guess the durability and such is quite important for me:) thanks!
 
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