Those were probably old posts. My brand (Advanced Bionics) has rechargeable batteries. I charge mine overnight. Mine last me all day, but it can vary based on your "mapping", thickness of scalp, etc. AB has multiple size batteries that have different battery lives. They also have a battery case that can use CI specific batteries that are like HA batteries. This can come in handy if you have a power outage at home or might be somewhere where you can't recharge the other batteries. You get the rechargeables from the CI manufacturer. The disposables can be gotten at online stores. Insurance will usually pay for new rechargeable batteries each year, once you've met your deductible. I have bought some spares, but I think I've only replaced one of my batteries in the 4 years I've had my first CI. Again, it varies with each person.
I believe Cochlear now has rechargeable batteries, but you'd need to check with them to verify. Not sure about Model.
Advanced Bionics just came out with a new processor that sounds really good. I like my current one, but can't wait till I can upgrade (where my insurance will pay for the upgrade) in probably a year. Though the processors are always being upgraded, the thing you should consider when selecting a brand - and YOU should select the brand, not your surgeon or audiologist - is how well the internal will work and how much can be improved with each new processor using that internal. (having trouble on wording that)
Have you looked for community forums for each of the brands online (FB or otherwise)? That's the best place to get good info. The companies will naturally tell you theirs are the best.
