@listeningout You will find people wearing headbands that have a pocket in the side. They put the processor in the pocket.
You can also buy peaked caps that have elastic stitched on the side of the cap. The cap also has a split just above the elastic. They put the coil through the split and the processor under the elastic.
You can also buy a huge variety of headbands for children to help retain the processor.
Thanks Sheryl!
I was aware of the availability of some of these hats and headbands. Something that secures the AB processor directly to hair in a tennis match caught my attention.
My friend with the AB CI, plays tennis. Won silver at the Deaf Olympics many years ago.
Thank you all for lots of information
Ok there has been a lot of information thrown out here and maybe it might be good to summarize a comparison of the 3 companies and their models.
I am soon to schedule my CI and have been spending a lot of time looking over both the literature of reach company, but reading as much as I can on what works best. At this stage I have been much more focused on the electrode array - the heart of the whole system - and the software the companies use to control it.
It has been my impression that Med-El’s flexible arrays and the algorithms used to power them are the best for hearing quality, especially pitch. While streaming and other control features are important, it seems that the richness of hearing is priority #1. Everything else is secondary.
Since people can’t try all brands, I can imagine that it is difficult to compare. There is a link with comparisons that may be useful:
Cochlear Implant Comparison Chart (wordpress.com)
Thoughts?
I use both. I have a Cochlear N8 and a K2.
I prefer the K2 overall, its nice having nothing on my ear. I barely notice that I’m wearing it.
However, if I’m exercising or at work, I use the N8. I wear a hardhat, the K2 will not fit under it, the N8 fits fine with the right hardhat. Also, the K2 has all of it’s weigh hanging from the magnet making it much easier to knock off my head.
And yes, in the USA, you receive 2 processors of your choice when you get your impant.
From my research and reading I believe all three CI brands are very similar if not equal from the array standpoint. Remember the brain is very flexible and learns as it needs to. The processors are also very similar with small differences. These differences can be notable pending on the person.
When it came down to my decision the surgeon helped me make the decision based on his experience. I asked him about 6-8 questions that he promptly answered and why. Decision made just like that. Up to that point I just didn’t know what I wanted for sure, it’s so confusing.
Where you live might lean towards one brand over another.
Getting CI help and service is important.
Are you thinking one or two implants?
Actually, from my reading there are significant differences between companies and the various electrode arrays they offer. It is my understanding that optimal results come from proper insertion of the array. The most common source of trauma and the resulting quality of hearing improvement comes from placement solely on the ST. penetration into the Basilar membrane or the SV can often result not only in poorer hearing (ie not ideally located near the SG) but also loss of residual hearing.
All suppliers offer arrays of varying lengths, from 18 to 31 mm covering from only 180 * of turn to 720*. The number of electrodes and channels also vary from 12 - 24. Add to this the software used to generate and transmit the simulation to create the closest match to natural hearing and it seems to me that these differences are not “small”. There are now robotic assists (ie IotaMotion) that are reported to greatly improve placement.
Unlike glasses where someone can try on different ones to see what works best, this decision is a one-time shot. Absent a comparison how would anyone know what system works best. A walker might think a bicycle is a great improvement if they never experienced a car.
It is a very tough decision to make - brand. I was almost swayed by the Med El literature and marketing hype on the length of the electrode. But…just because they offer a longer one, doesn’t mean the longer one will actually fit into your cochlea. I apparently had a small inner ear structure, so it wouldn’t have helped me. I found the way the electrodes work together in AB to seem more advantageous. Also like the Marvel Link HA for my other ear - they work together rather than separately which I find makes my overall hearing qualify better. Raudrive is wise with his advice that all three will help you hear better. I am thrilled with AB!
Marketing hype? The length of the electrode is only one feature and obviously what you and your surgeon select is based on what your anatomy dictates can be used to give the best result. ME has 10 options ranging from 12 - 26 mm (active length). Cochlear has 8 from 14 - 20 mm. Ab has 3 from 15 - 20 mm.
Glad you are satisfied with AB.
You are correct! I did a lot of research, including the comparison chart. It was most helpful to Zoom with the representatives from all three companies. I did so a couple of times. Each time with new questions. med El was my first choice but I learned more about the technology of how the electrodes work for each and that, along with expansion space and the linked HA that works together with the AB CI, I changed my mind. I also joined Facebook user pages for each CI for a while and read the exchanges and asked questions. All three should give good results. Good luck!
A Mum said she wanted her child to have Med El but surgeon said the child cochlear was too short.
I spoke to them around 6 years ago tho.
Child was implanted with Cochlear instead.