Choosing a Cochlear Device

Our health service provider, OHSU, gave us two choices when deciding which company we will choose for Kairi's cochlear devices. The differences in the processors are really minimal. Our main areas that we had consider are: compatibility, processor style.

Choice 1: Cochlear Limited
Cochlear has a better reputation for being backward compatible. So if a new processor comes out, then the older users can us the new processor with their old implant.
Cochlear has more accessory option than Advanced Bionics. Accessories meaning colored caps for the magnet and processor.
Cochlear choice of processor type is the Freedom. For small children they use a Babyword version of the Freedom that put the controls off the ear.

Choice 2: Advanced Bionics
Advanced bionics does not have as good of a reputation of backward compatibility as Cochlear does.
Advanced Bionics doesn't have as many accessories as Cochlear does.
Advanced Bionics has two processor types: the Platinum and the Harmony. The Platinum processor is a totally body worn processor. There is nothing on the ear. The Harmony is a standard ear worn processor, similar to the Freedom processor from Cochlear.

The doctors had to obviously be unbiased in this decision. Plus their opinions are only that, opinions. Since they are not users of any of the implants, they really have no say as to which company would have a better product.

For our choice we chose to go with Advanced Bionics. Our health provider told us that we will get 2 processors per ear, so we chose one Platinum and one Harmony processor. We like the Platinum for Kairi while she is in her younger years. There is nothing on the ear, so it will be easier for her to wear. When Kairi grows older, we will switch her to the Harmony processor. The on the ear processor is supposed to be better for her since it is easier for her to do things like talk on the phone.

Note: Image from "Advanced Bionics"