Wireless or classic CI sound processors?

@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.

@listeningout said:

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

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!

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.