I couldn't log in under my old username, so I created another account. I have a moderate-profound sensorineural hearing loss, and I am a recipient of the Esteem middle ear implant. While I did film a testimonial video, I was NOT paid by Envoy in any way (other than travel and food expenses reimbursed). In fact, I have not had any contact with Envoy Medical since I filmed my testimonial. The testimonial served simply to share my experience as is done with hundreds of other products.
Patrick Spearman is not motivated by greed. At least no more than any other company of any type who rolls out products for profit. Mr. Spearman has seen firsthand how much the Esteem has improved the lives of many people, and he believes in his product. I cannot speak for anyone else, but I can say that the Esteem has had a huge impact on MY life. I cannot accurately describe just how much better I hear with my Esteem, or how I no longer feel like my hearing loss is holding me back. Hearing sounds that I had never heard before was an experience I won't soon forget. Hearing the grass crunch beneath my feet, hearing the static electricity crackling between two dresses, hearing the fire whistle go off miles away, hearing and being able to converse while in the water, hearing my children talk in another room and actually know what they are saying... I can't describe to you the relief I feel in knowing that I can hear my daughter - who has a chronic illness - when she needs me in the middle of the night. I also can't show you just how much my own self esteem has improved since my hearing has improved. I'm so much more social now, and I'm finally enrolled in college. I am axious to have the second implant done.
To those who are curious about the Esteem - it's not for everyone, and it may not be for you. It's not without its faults. RESEARCH it. Please don't let anyone convince you that such a device - whether it's the Esteem, cochlear implant, or any other - is a sham that exists only to line someone's pockets. As someone said, you're welcome to join the Envoy Esteem Patients group on Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/241235109304753/ There's only a handful of clinical trial patients, some of whom filmed testimonies. The rest of the members are patients who paid for their Esteem, and they can share a wide variety of experiences - ranging from successful to unsuccessful. There's also several blogs detailing experiences.
Like I said, just RESEARCH the device(s) you are interested in. I did my research, and I found the device that was right for me. Good luck!!
I don't have to lip-read anymore, and it's pretty nice to not have to demand that someone look at me when they are speaking. My most commonly used words are no longer "huh?" and "what?" Adjusting to life with the Esteem was difficult at times - everything was so loud and noisy. Particularly my kids. I think they had naturally learned to talk louder because of my hearing loss, and they can't suddenly revert themselves to a quieter voice now that I can hear better. Sometimes I just turned the implant off so I could escape back into my quiet world for a while. As of my last testing more than a year ago, my speech discrimination scores went from 53% aided before the Esteem to 87% I think. It's definitely somewhere in the 80s.) after being implanted. I'm not gonna lie - I do love the cosmetic factor of the Esteem. I like that it is completely under the skin and water-safe. I also love having an open ear canal. I'm forced to wear a hearing aid in the unimplanted ear because I cannot stand having one really good ear and one bad ear. I need balance. If anyone wants to read or see photos, I have a personal blog that I used specifically to talk about my Esteem experience. The posts are ordered from most recent, so you may want to skip to the first posts to read about the process, surgery, and activation. Building My Self Esteem But I'm only one of many others who would be happy to give you honest opinions on the Esteem! As you said, the Esteem is the first of its kind to hit the market; pretty soon, we'll have more options! 