Batteries

[Guest guest]

Hal,

If insurance is paying Cochlear that is one thing but 675 batteries can be

purchased in any drug store or $1.95 for a six pack on the web. - Gerald

halfencer@... wrote:

I went in to purchase my batteries thru my hearing institute because

they

are a provider for my HMO. My audie says cochlear will no longer be selling

the regular 675's but will only have the more expensive 675 plus. You might

want to load up while you can.

Hal

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

Gerald,

But remember, not all hearing aid batteries will run a cochlear implant.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

Are you saying that not all 675 hearing aid batteries will run a

cochlear implant. I usually buy my battiers off EBAy and just look for

675, so far they have all worked fine.

>

> Gerald,

> But remember, not all hearing aid batteries will run a cochlear

implant.

>

> *---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

> Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

> & Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

> Newport, Oregon

> N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

> rclark0276@...

> http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

>

[Guest guest]

Yes . They dont all have enough power for the CI. Some may last

a day, or even less.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

When the plums dry on your tree, it's time to prune.

-- Pun of the Day

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

I was not aware of this, what should I be looking for when I'm

purchasing these batteries, I use 3 675 hearing aid batteries for my

Medel procesor and get about 4 days use from them. I only just

recently saw an advertisement for these battiers that specifically

indicated they were for cochlear implants and they were more

expensive, " just curious "

>

> Yes . They dont all have enough power for the CI. Some

may last

> a day, or even less.

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

What kind does Med El recommend? If you are getting comparable battery

life then you are fine.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

In 2003, a funeral company in Brazil released ads on local TV containing a

controversial motto: " Our clients have never come back to complain. "

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

I only questioned about the battieres because I don't always use the

same kind, I'm usually looking for a bargain price, but it may turn

out that one of these times it may not be such a bargain if I wound up

with only 1 day or less of usage, just thought maybe you came across a

certain type that you knew where not good for CI processors. Thanks

for the info

- In , " " <rclark0276@...> wrote:

>

> ,

> What kind does Med El recommend? If you are getting comparable

battery

> life then you are fine.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Mike,

you started on the highest speed? Good grief that has to be hard.

What speed are you using now? Cochlear recommends high current 675

batteries to maintain maxuium quaility in loud sistuations like going

to a concert or any nosiy sistuations and some smart sounds setting

do use more battery power.

>

> Hi ,

>

> The number of batteries you will use per month is variable depending

> on your program and how you yourself use your CI. I found in the

> beginning I was going through about 90-100 batteries per months now

I

> use 12-15 per month so big difference. I started with Hi Ace at the

> fastest speed and now I am at a much lower rate of speed which makes

> all the difference, I also noticed if I am in a noisy environment

for

> an entire day it can shorten the battery life sometimes by almost

half

> a day. I normally have a quiet setting in my office but when I

travel

> it can be very noisy and I do notice a difference in battery

> performance.

>

> Regards

> Mike " Ears Hopin " P

> Implanted June 3rd, 2005

> Activated July 6th, 2005

> Nucleus Freedom

>

> From: " and Davies " prdavies@...

> Date: Thu May 11, 2006 2:49pm(PDT)

> Subject: Re: Batteries

>

> That's great - thanks for letting me know. So it must have taken a

> week?

> That's pretty good.

>

> So 96 batteries is about a month's supply isn't it?

>

>

>

>

>

> --

> No virus found in this outgoing message.

> Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.6/339 - Release Date:

> 5/14/2006

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yeah these CI's are definitely good for nosiy situations. Its fun to

eavesdrop, isnt it? LOL

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

A grenade fell onto a kitchen floor in France, resulted in Linoleum

Blownapart.

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

---,

I use Zenipower C675 Cochlear batteries for my Med El processor.

They are great and very inexpensive.

Jane Motrinec

In , " brendac251 " <brendac251@...> wrote:

>

> I only questioned about the battieres because I don't always use

the

> same kind, I'm usually looking for a bargain price, but it may turn

> out that one of these times it may not be such a bargain if I wound

up

> with only 1 day or less of usage, just thought maybe you came

across a

> certain type that you knew where not good for CI processors.

Thanks

> for the info

>

>

>

> - In , " " <rclark0276@> wrote:

> >

> > ,

> > What kind does Med El recommend? If you are getting

comparable

> battery

> > life then you are fine.

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hey all,

I'm using the Freedom for Nucleus 24 users, and got 8 days with the

disposable batteries, and 4 with the rechargeables. Just wanted to see

what kind of battery life the rechargeables had.

Since I just got it mapped, I don't have any of the bells and whistles

on it yet. No ADRO, BEAM or even auto sens. Miss that auto sens,

especially when I'm running the sewing machine or dishwasher.

Cochlear recommends high power for maps that have a heavy power draw.

HiAce or HiCIS would be 2 of them. Regular ACE and SPEAK have lower

battery draw.

[Guest guest]

What Would Be a better value for saving money?

disposeable or rechargeable? im thinking long term.

A. Tucker N24/freedom Surgery: 5/18/07

--- <nucleus24@...> wrote:

> Hey all,

> I'm using the Freedom for Nucleus 24 users, and

got 8 days with the

> disposable batteries, and 4 with the rechargeables.

Just wanted to see

> what kind of battery life the rechargeables had.

> Since I just got it mapped, I don't have any of

the bells and whistles

> on it yet. No ADRO, BEAM or even auto sens. Miss

that auto sens,

> especially when I'm running the sewing machine or

dishwasher.

> Cochlear recommends high power for maps that have

a heavy power draw.

> HiAce or HiCIS would be 2 of them. Regular ACE and

SPEAK have lower

> battery draw.

>

[Guest guest]

,

Best way to do this is determine how much battery life you get with each

type then do the math for a year and that would be your answer.

The rechargeables that come with the Freedom BTE has a working life of

1,000 cycles. That means every time you charge a battery, that is one

cycle.

Know someone who can crunch the numbers for you?

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the bread.

--

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

?

Wow, only the freedom rechargeable batteries have a 1,000 cycle lifespan?

Hmmm. That sounds like that would be a terrible thing given that I've read that

they last up to 3 days. I still got PLENTY of 675 HA batteries I've considered

using for my CI when I get it. My Phonak 411 Supero HA lives up to a month on

one battery prior to giving up the ghost and requiring a battery transplant.

Still with the same batteries, I've read that the freedom gets up to 5 or 6 days

most before having to have new batteries. I'd really prefer the long battery

life, myself. I know you wouldn't blame me at all there. I've been really

considering my options with regards to battery life and quality of the

batteries.

I have a question for the med el users on the board, I've found a webpage at

the med el site that they now offer the Sonata implant with the Opus 2 speech

processor. They look almost exactly like the freedom in some ways. If there are

any Opus 2/Sonata users, let me know how all that turns out. But still I'm

leaning towards the freedom though. So I guess you could say I'm stuck between

Med-El (Being in my state, NC) and Nucleus in Colorado. Trying to make a

decision by the time I go to pre-op on May 17th. Have a great day everyone!

A. Tucker

N24/Freedom or Med-El Sonata/Opus2

UNC-CH

Surgery Date: 5/18/07

Activation: Mid June

PS. I had a strange dream last night. I dreamed at my hook up appointment, I

heard Church bells and train horns going off in my head at my first mapping!

YEECH!

<rclark0276@...> wrote:

,

Best way to do this is determine how much battery life you get with each

type then do the math for a year and that would be your answer.

The rechargeables that come with the Freedom BTE has a working life of

1,000 cycles. That means every time you charge a battery, that is one

cycle.

Know someone who can crunch the numbers for you?

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the bread.

--

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

Tucker, This is not what said. He did not use the word 'only'. These

are lithium batteries use in way too many devices to even start to mention

them.

Now because those using the Nucleus batteries are so new at this as far as

the CI goes, then I can offer some thoughts.

The life of these batteries goes down over time, and it has nothing to do

with brand. I really can't give you figures to use because I rotate

batteries, and I have some I use on long trips that go back 5 years. Even

the ones I had 6 years ago, are still working.

So doing the math is not all that easy, and I wish you the best of luck in

deciding what to do.

Ralph

CII 8/01

HiRes 2/03

> Wow, only the freedom rechargeable batteries have a 1,000 cycle lifespan?

> > A. Tucker

[Guest guest]

,

No no. Lets see, the rechargeables will last me a couple days (average

is about a day for most people). And I have 2, so if I recharge each one

every other day, that is roughly 500 cycles a year. If I had 4 (the charger

we get will take up to 4 at a time), that drops down to roughly 250 cycles a

year. So looking at about 4 years.

The 675's will last me a hair over 4 days. I had just gotten a load of

them before getting my Freedom so I am switching between the two types.

So, dont look at the rechargeables in a time frame, but in number of

charge cycles. And tho the average use seems to be about a day, ,

using SPEAK, gets more but most of us use ACE which takes more power than

SPEAK does. And you cannot compare to other devices like your HA's because

the CI's power requirements are way different.

Both battery types have their pluses. The rechargeable is easy to

change on the fly, whereas the 675 requires you to sit down and work a bit,

remove tabs, remove old, insert new. Best of all, either type can be used

on the fly, at any time. I like the rechargeables for that ease of change

when out doing things.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

I saw a sign at a gas station. It said 'help wanted'. There was another sign

below it that said 'self service'. So I hired myself. Then I made myself the

boss. I gave myself a raise. I paid myself. Then I quit.

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

,

Feel the bottom of the battery. Notice how it is a U shape all the way

around except for one side that is straight? Push the battery into the port

with the U shape towards the charger and the straight edge towards you.

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My insurance covers both, so it's not a question of saving money, it's

a question of convenience. I like having a 6 pack of batteries with me

and not having to worry if I have a recharged battery with me, how long

it's been out of the recharger, and so forth. Freedom is the only brand

on the market now that offers you that choice. Nice to see you made your

choice for Freedom!

If your insurance does NOT cover batteries (as durable medical

equipment) necessary to run a prosthetic device, then rechargeables might

be the way to go. However, you can only recharge a certain number of

times, and the rechargeables are way more expensive than the disposables.

No clue how many times you can recharge either.

Make sure you don't submit an insurance claim for " hearing aid

batteries " because they will turn those down faster than you can believe.

Someone around here has the codes. I think you get batteries with your

processor to start you off.

What Would Be a better value for saving money?

disposeable or rechargeable? im thinking long term.

A. Tucker N24/freedom Surgery: 5/18/07

[Guest guest]

To all you who have used the Freedom and rechargeables: have some

questions. Do you take the battery out of the recharger as soon as it's

fully charged? And do you carry it around with you, until you need it?

I'm getting more than a day on the rechargeables. Something like 3 1/2

to 4 days. So not sure if the battery will lose its charge if it's out

of the recharger that long.

AND next question: Do you leave the recharger plugged in, and just

disconnect the battery holder part, or do you remove the plug from the

wall and leave the battery in there.

I so rarely use rechargeables for anything, that I'm a real newbie at

this.

Thanks,

Blonde and bewildered

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I use the rechargeable batteries for my Freedom. I have the 1200 speed which

uses a good bit of power. I put in a fresh rechargeable battery each morning

and it lasts all day. I will usually alternate batteries every other day. I

don't carry the spare with me, but I always keep a battery cage and

disposables in my purse-- just in case. I haven't needed them. I leave the

other rechargeable battery sitting in the charger.

I don't ever unplug my charger. I don't believe it will overcharge your

battery to just leave it in there. When I go out of town, the rechargeables

stay home, and I switch over to using the disposable batteries.

Lynn

Fairhope, AL

Nucleus Freedom

Surgery date: 9/6/06

Activation date: 9/27/06

Re: Batteries

To all you who have used the Freedom and rechargeables: have some

questions. Do you take the battery out of the recharger as soon as it's

fully charged? And do you carry it around with you, until you need it?

I'm getting more than a day on the rechargeables. Something like 3 1/2 to 4

days. So not sure if the battery will lose its charge if it's out of the

recharger that long.

AND next question: Do you leave the recharger plugged in, and just

disconnect the battery holder part, or do you remove the plug from the wall

and leave the battery in there.

I so rarely use rechargeables for anything, that I'm a real newbie at this.

Thanks,

Blonde and bewildered

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I have the Nucleus Freedom and for the most part, use the rechargeable

batteries. One of the nice things about the Freedom is being able to swap

back and forth between rechargeables and disposables. I generally use

disposables when I go out of town, but use the rechargeables for every day.

Remember that a CI uses much more power than a hearing aid, and your battery

life is very dependent on your map speed, as well as some other factors. You

won't know what speed is best for you until after you are activated and had

time to experiment. Some people prefer the very fast 2400 speed, and others

prefer the slower 900 speed. I found that the 1200 was best for me. It gives

me almost 3 days on disposables and a full day on the rechargeable. The 900

speed that most people seem to prefer gives longer battery life.

My CI center provided me with 2 processors. I chose 2 standard BTEs, and my

kit came with the 2 rechargeable batteries and charger, as well as some

battery cages and a couple of boxes of disposable batteries. Since I have

been using the rechargeables for every day, I still have plenty of the

disposable batteries to use, and I've been activated a little over 6 months.

You should also be able to use the 675 HA batteries that you have, but they

may not give you as much power as the implant batteries. Again, how well

they work is very dependent on your particular map.

Good luck on your upcoming surgery!

Lynn

Fairhope, AL

Nucleus Freedom

Surgery date: 9/6/06

Activation date: 9/27/06

Re: Re: Batteries

?

Wow, only the freedom rechargeable batteries have a 1,000 cycle lifespan?

Hmmm. That sounds like that would be a terrible thing given that I've read

that they last up to 3 days. I still got PLENTY of 675 HA batteries I've

considered using for my CI when I get it. My Phonak 411 Supero HA lives up

to a month on one battery prior to giving up the ghost and requiring a

battery transplant. Still with the same batteries, I've read that the

freedom gets up to 5 or 6 days most before having to have new batteries. I'd

really prefer the long battery life, myself. I know you wouldn't blame me at

all there. I've been really considering my options with regards to battery

life and quality of the batteries.

I have a question for the med el users on the board, I've found a webpage

at the med el site that they now offer the Sonata implant with the Opus 2

speech processor. They look almost exactly like the freedom in some ways. If

there are any Opus 2/Sonata users, let me know how all that turns out. But

still I'm leaning towards the freedom though. So I guess you could say I'm

stuck between Med-El (Being in my state, NC) and Nucleus in Colorado. Trying

to make a decision by the time I go to pre-op on May 17th. Have a great day

everyone!

A. Tucker

N24/Freedom or Med-El Sonata/Opus2

UNC-CH

Surgery Date: 5/18/07

Activation: Mid June

PS. I had a strange dream last night. I dreamed at my hook up appointment,

I heard Church bells and train horns going off in my head at my first

mapping! YEECH!

[Guest guest]

Make sure you don't submit an insurance claim for " hearing aid

batteries " because they will turn those down faster than you can believe.

Someone around here has the codes. I think you get batteries with your

processor to start you off.

, if you (or someone else) has these codes, I'm sure that others, as

well as myself would be very grateful to obtain those codes. My own

experience at attempts to get reimbursed for the cost of batteries is not such

a

delightful one. Last May, (2006) I celebrated my " Medicare " birthday. I was

informed by a friend that the Cochlear Reimbursement Dept would send a claim to

Medicare for me to be reimbursed for the cost. They had me fill out a form

and submit to them. I did this right away. I waited. I waited some more.

Nothing....so, I wrote, I called, I wrote. Nothing. I finally talked with a

person in the Reimbursement Dept who told me the claim was submitted to

Medicare in October. Now, why it would take five months for them to even

submit

the claim to Medicare is beyond my realm of understanding. Well, this story

goes on and on....but, the final jest of it is that I still remain without a

reimbursement. As to ever getting any sort of reimbursement for the cost of

the upgrade to the Freedom goes, I would hope so - but, I'm not counting on

it. I have a very good secondary insurance as well - so, it all remains to be

seen. I've had the upgrade since December and all the paperwork I can do

myself accomplished shortly thereafter. So, good luck if you are on Medicare

as your Primary Insurance folks.

Evon

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

,

I am a Med-El CI user and use the OPUS2 processor but with the Pulsar

CI 100 implant........is this any help/

Alison P

UK

> ,

> Best way to do this is determine how much battery life you get with

each

> type then do the math for a year and that would be your answer.

>

> The rechargeables that come with the Freedom BTE has a working life

of

> 1,000 cycles. That means every time you charge a battery, that is

one

> cycle.

>

> Know someone who can crunch the numbers for you?

>

> *---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

> The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the

bread.

> --

> & Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

> Newport, Oregon

> N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

> rclark0276@...

> http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Interesting that you should be talking about batteries and reimbursement. That

was actually the reason for my post about batteries etc and where do you get

them. I was asking because Cochlear is not a preferred provider (I am not on

Medicare) and if I get batteries etc. through them insurance will pay a lesser

amount than if I can get them through a center that is on the preferred provider

list. My center does not sell the batteries etc and I was wondering if any

centers do.

Thanks!!!

Connie

EBurk56622@... wrote:

Make sure you don't submit an insurance claim for " hearing aid

batteries " because they will turn those down faster than you can believe.

Someone around here has the codes. I think you get batteries with your

processor to start you off.

, if you (or someone else) has these codes, I'm sure that others, as

well as myself would be very grateful to obtain those codes. My own

experience at attempts to get reimbursed for the cost of batteries is not such a

delightful one. Last May, (2006) I celebrated my " Medicare " birthday. I was

informed by a friend that the Cochlear Reimbursement Dept would send a claim to

Medicare for me to be reimbursed for the cost. They had me fill out a form

and submit to them. I did this right away. I waited. I waited some more.

Nothing....so, I wrote, I called, I wrote. Nothing. I finally talked with a

person in the Reimbursement Dept who told me the claim was submitted to

Medicare in October. Now, why it would take five months for them to even submit

the claim to Medicare is beyond my realm of understanding. Well, this story

goes on and on....but, the final jest of it is that I still remain without a

reimbursement. As to ever getting any sort of reimbursement for the cost of

the upgrade to the Freedom goes, I would hope so - but, I'm not counting on

it. I have a very good secondary insurance as well - so, it all remains to be

seen. I've had the upgrade since December and all the paperwork I can do

myself accomplished shortly thereafter. So, good luck if you are on Medicare

as your Primary Insurance folks.

Evon

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynn,

thanks for the info on rechargeables. Wondering if anyone else gets a

couple of days on the rechargeables, and if they keep recharged batteries

with them, to use when needed. Does the battery hold the charge once

it's removed from the recharger and carried around? For those getting

more than a day from the battery.

Thanks,

Hi ,

I use the rechargeable batteries for my Freedom. I have the 1200 speed

which

uses a good bit of power. I put in a fresh rechargeable battery each

morning

and it lasts all day. I will usually alternate batteries every other day.