Cochlear Implant Brands
Cochlear implants have revolutionized the world for hearing for impaired people by giving them a chance to live like a normal person. Once the decision to get an implant has been made it comes down to choosing the right brand. There are three major companies that manufacture cochlear implants; Advanced Bionics, Cochlear Corporation and Med-El. Before choosing an implant there are several aspects to consider. These include the processor, design, and function and battery life. Based on these, you will need to decide which one will be the right fit. Normally, doctors suggest that all the brands are similar but there are some differences based on which you will have to prioritize.
While choosing an implant, you will first need to find out if your doctor works with all three or a selected one. If you are happy with the one your doctor prefers, go for it; otherwise it is a good idea to look for a second opinion. You will also need to consider the aesthetic features, color, design, whether it has rechargeable batteries and most importantly if you can update the processor without undergoing surgery again. Some implants are not MRI compatible. It is advisable to choose one that doesn't interfere with MRI scanners despite the unlikely event of that happening.
Advanced Bionics
Advanced Bionics makes the "Bionic Ear". Their product line is called the Harmony HiResolution Bionic Ear. All the cochlear implants in this group can be updated without undergoing any surgery which is one of the major selling points for Advanced Bionics. In addition, Advanced Bionics assists you in finding a clinic and even lets you contact other Cochlear Implant Users. The Bionic Ear line is also reputed to have the best audio quality amongst cochlear implants.
Cochlear Corporation
Cochlear Corporation has two products, the Nucleus 5 and the Baha. The Nucleus 5 is for profound and severe hearing loss while the Baha is for single-sided deafness and hearing loss due to age or an accident. The Nucleus 5 is the thinnest Cochlear Implant on the market and the Baha has the most advanced programmable sound processor among implants. The Cochlear Corporation also helps patients with insurance issues, counseling and therapy sessions.
Med-El
Med-El has three products in its Cochlear Implant line. These include the Maestro, the EAS and the Vibrant Soundbridge. The Maestro is the recommended implant for severe and profound deafness while the EAS is for mixed and conductive hearing loss. The Vibrant Soundbridge is reputed to be the most successful middle ear implant. The EAS and the Maestro come with a fine tuner which can be used to adjust the sound processor without having to visit the doctor.
Among the three brands, Advanced Bionics is the preferred one for users with severe hearing loss mainly because the processor can be updated without any surgery, says healthyvibes.net. For mixed hearing loss, all options are almost similar. Other factors such as MRI capability seem to vary with the version of the product and it is best to check with the doctor or a company agent before making a decision.