Re: Dear Cochlear: Cat's Outa the Bag Now-- The Press Release?

June 28, 2006

Hello,

I have a question....I always see people who have Cochlear brand CI's post

here on this forum about how wonderful it is to have the disposable

batteries for your CI, and how your lifestyles require this and how much of

a pain rechargeables would be, etc, and how glad you are that your CI's

don't have rechargeable batteries. So now I see that Cochlear is coming out

with rechargeable batteries, and talking like that's a good thing, when I

thought you guys didn't like the idea of rechargeables? It's a

puzzle.........

Binns

----Original Message Follows----

From: " MacPherson " <hohbob@...>

Reply-

" bh News post A " <bhNewsgroups>

Subject: Dear Cochlear: Cat's Outa the Bag Now-- The Press Release?

Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2006 20:00:50 -0400

Dear Cochlear: Cat's Outa the Bag Now-- The Press Release? - Bob Opinion

On Saturday, June 24, it was revealed to all not in hibernation beneath

slimy rocks, in forwards of insider info, of new and exiting upgrades for N

24 recipients to the new Freedom, rechargeable power in the next generation,

and more.

On one list, it was reported that Cochlear's customer support lines were

being overloaded with requests for information, despite the fact that

initial reports clearly stated that all of concern would be sent information

packets at the end of July.

The editor here expected full well to see a press release from Cochlear at

least by Monday - But it has not happened.

The " Offical Word " !

So, dear Cochlear, please get off your duff and do your duty in a PR and

news insert on your websites, US and international!

I might add that the website of AG Bell, where the announcement was made,

carried no report at all.. (Not unusual)

JMHO

Bob

June 28, 2006

Hey Bob,

They must be listening to you I just received an Alert teh Press

Release came out at noon today. You have more influnce than you

realize :-))

Regards,

Mike " Ears Hopin " P

Nucleus Freedom

see below...

June 28, 2006 12:36 PM US Eastern Timezone

Cochlear Receives FDA Approval for the Next Generation of the Nucleus

® Freedom Cochlear Implant System

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 28, 2006--

Updates Including Improved Performance, Additional Battery Options

and Smaller Behind the Ear Controller to be Available to New

Recipients and Nucleus 24 Users

Cochlear today announced that it has received FDA approval for the

Next Generation of the Nucleus Freedom cochlear implant system,

designed to mimic the functions of the human ear. The advanced system

includes the widest available range of programming choices, sound

processors and power options to match each individual's unique

hearing fingerprint. The next-generation device will be available

in early July. The upgrade device will be available in late summer.

" The Next Generation of Nucleus Freedom offers advanced implant

technologies combined with a broad range of listening and wearing

customization, helping our recipients experience and enjoy a natural

world of sound, " said , president, Cochlear Americas. " The

fact that this device will also be compatible and accessible to

Nucleus 24 recipients is a testament to Cochlear's lifetime

commitment to support all its wearers with access to the latest

technological improvements. "

Features and improvements of the device include:

-- Unmatched Reliability: Initial data demonstrate that Freedom is

the most reliable device ever designed by any manufacturer.

-- Improved Hearing Performance: Test scores show that Nucleus

Freedom recipients adjust and perform better in shorter periods of

time when measured against Cochlear's previous device, the Nucleus 24

Contour.

-- Improved battery life and additional battery options: The Nucleus

Freedom system offers disposable and rechargeable power.

-- The Mini BTE (behind-the-ear) Controller: The discreet Mini

BTE provides up to 4 days (12 hours = day) of battery life and can be

personalized by a quick click of the cover to change the color

panels.

-- SmartSound Innovation: SmartSound technology allows users to

adapt to a range of listening environments for focused listening,

comfort in noise, dynamic sound environments and soft and distant

sounds.

" It's thrilling to see recipients' lives so dramatically improved

with the Nucleus 24 Freedom--to watch them grow, and be able to share

their joy as they develop the confidence to venture into listening

environments that were previously a challenge, " said Cochlear

audiologist Parkinson, MA, CCC/A. " With the new technology,

recipients are able to hear much more effectively in previously

difficult environments, such as on a phone call with a total

stranger, or in a noisy restaurant. "

Cochlear implants are a safe and effective treatment for severe-to-

profound hearing loss in adults and children. These are amazing

technological devices that bypass damaged hair cells in the ear and

stimulate hearing nerves directly, providing useful hearing and

improved communication abilities to the implant user. The Nucleus

Freedom system is the only cochlear implant system that offers

unmatched reliability, feature flexibility, IP44 tested water-

resistance and a variety of adjustable options to meet each user's

individual need and hearing fingerprint. This allows each individual

the best chance to optimize his or her hearing experience in a range

of listening situations. Initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration in March 2005 with upgrades approved this year, the

Nucleus Freedom features both an internal component and an external

sound processor.

About Cochlear Americas

Since launching the world's first cochlear implant system more than

20 years ago, Cochlear Limited and its US headquarters, Cochlear

Americas, have brought the miracle of sound to more than 76,000

hearing-impaired individuals across the globe. Cochlear's state-of-

the-art technologies, based on extensive research and development at

preeminent academic institutions, restore the ability to hear sound

and understand speech--enhancing both learning capabilities and

quality of life for those with severe to profound hearing loss.

Cochlear has remained the market leader in its field thanks to an

unwavering commitment to innovation, reliability and customer

support. Numerous awards, as well as published scientific data,

attest to Cochlear's outstanding product line and unsurpassed

performance. Cochlear's promise " Hear now. And always " reflects its

dedication to durability and service. For more information about

Cochlear's products, call the Cochlear Nucleus Hotline at 800/458-

4999 (Voice) or 800/483-3123 (TTY) or visit the website at

www.cochlear.com.

>

> Dear Cochlear: Cat's Outa the Bag Now-- The Press Release? - Bob

Opinion

>

> On Saturday, June 24, it was revealed to all not in hibernation

beneath

> slimy rocks, in forwards of insider info, of new and exiting

upgrades for N

> 24 recipients to the new Freedom, rechargeable power in the next

generation,

> and more.

>

> On one list, it was reported that Cochlear's customer support lines

were

> being overloaded with requests for information, despite the fact

that

> initial reports clearly stated that all of concern would be sent

information

> packets at the end of July.

>

> The editor here expected full well to see a press release from

Cochlear at

> least by Monday - But it has not happened.

>

> The " Offical Word " !

>

> So, dear Cochlear, please get off your duff and do your duty in a

PR and

> news insert on your websites, US and international!

>

> I might add that the website of AG Bell, where the announcement was

made,

> carried no report at all.. (Not unusual)

> JMHO

>

> Bob

>

June 28, 2006

Hi ,

I certianly can't and won't speak for others but I have always said I

prefered the convenience of the disposable batteries for my

lifestyle, I have never said rechargables are a bad thing they are

just my 2nd choice. Personally my feeling is the best anyone could

hope for is to have both options and it looks like that is the

thinking at Cochlear as well. I know for many rechargables are not a

problem and it will be nice for the Freedom users who want this

option now to have the choice.

I would not say my lifestyle " Requires " disposable batteries, but I

admit I find rechargables a pain for my other devices - PDA, Cell

Phone, laptop even, I do understand those who like rechargables and

for some they are a greater convenience so I guess what is a " Good

Thing " is the option of both and not being tied to either or.

Regards,

Mike " Ears Hopin " P

>

> Hello,

> I have a question....I always see people who have Cochlear brand

CI's post

> here on this forum about how wonderful it is to have the disposable

> batteries for your CI, and how your lifestyles require this and how

much of

> a pain rechargeables would be, etc, and how glad you are that your

CI's

> don't have rechargeable batteries. So now I see that Cochlear is

coming out

> with rechargeable batteries, and talking like that's a good thing,

when I

> thought you guys didn't like the idea of rechargeables? It's a

> puzzle.........

>

> Binns

>

> ----Original Message Follows----

> From: " MacPherson " <hohbob@...>

> Reply-

> " bh News post A " <bhNews@...>

> Subject: Dear Cochlear: Cat's Outa the Bag Now-- The Press

Release?

> Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2006 20:00:50 -0400

>

> Dear Cochlear: Cat's Outa the Bag Now-- The Press Release? - Bob

Opinion

>

> On Saturday, June 24, it was revealed to all not in hibernation

beneath

> slimy rocks, in forwards of insider info, of new and exiting

upgrades for N

> 24 recipients to the new Freedom, rechargeable power in the next

generation,

> and more.

>

> On one list, it was reported that Cochlear's customer support lines

were

> being overloaded with requests for information, despite the fact

that

> initial reports clearly stated that all of concern would be sent

information

> packets at the end of July.

>

> The editor here expected full well to see a press release from

Cochlear at

> least by Monday - But it has not happened.

>

> The " Offical Word " !

>

> So, dear Cochlear, please get off your duff and do your duty in a

PR and

> news insert on your websites, US and international!

>

> I might add that the website of AG Bell, where the announcement was

made,

> carried no report at all.. (Not unusual)

> JMHO

>

> Bob

>

June 28, 2006

,

Those with the Nucleus on this list hardly represent the majority

worldwide. What leads you to think the same people who have voiced negative

feelings about rechargables are now embracing this? LOL What is puzzling

about it? Cochlear either had it planned anyway, developing efficient

batteries, or they took a survey. Hmmm, they didnt ask me.

Still puzzled? Speaking for myself, I still very much prefer

disposables. Less chance of being caught with dead batteries. No chance of

mixing up dead with recharged. No risk of losing expensive little tiny

small batteries. No worry about being caught somewhere with the power out.

Now of course I am not against this new feature from Cochlear. It just

aint for me. LOL Still puzzled? Wonder why....

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

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

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

June 29, 2006

I'm not sure I understand....what does Cochlear's coming out with a

rechargeable unit have to do with how much many people like having disposables??

Having rechargeables is nothing new to Cochlear. When I was first hooked up

in 2000 I used the body work processor and used the rechargeable batteries. I

always used the 2 battery case and would pop them into the recharger every

night and then alternate pairs every day so that I would never have to bother

changing a battery during the day. I thought that was great!

Then I got the 3G where I could use disposables and now I think this is

great! And I don't have to change anything for a good three days!

Cochlear simply puts out there as much as they can for it's users to enjoy

and benefit from. We all have a different hearing " fingerprint " so to speak,

and all the different processing strategies, software options, and battery

options (nothing new here) serve it's users quite well.

In a message dated 6/28/2006 10:02:31 PM Eastern Standard Time,

treasure43@... writes:

Hello,

I have a question....I always see people who have Cochlear brand CI's post

here on this forum about how wonderful it is to have the disposable

batteries for your CI, and how your lifestyles require this and how much of

a pain rechargeables would be, etc, and how glad you are that your CI's

don't have rechargeable batteries. So now I see that Cochlear is coming out

with rechargeable batteries, and talking like that's a good thing, when I

thought you guys didn't like the idea of rechargeables? It's a

puzzle.........

Binns

June 29, 2006

I, for one, would only use rechargeables on the BTE processor, if

they lasted significantly longer than the disposables I use now. I

was supplied with a charger and rechargeables for the Freedom Body

Worn processor.

Ted F.

>

> Hello,

> I have a question....I always see people who have Cochlear brand

CI's post

> here on this forum about how wonderful it is to have the disposable

> batteries for your CI, and how your lifestyles require this and how

much of

> a pain rechargeables would be, etc, and how glad you are that your

CI's

> don't have rechargeable batteries. So now I see that Cochlear is

coming out

> with rechargeable batteries, and talking like that's a good thing,

when I

> thought you guys didn't like the idea of rechargeables? It's a

> puzzle.........

>

> Binns

>

June 29, 2006

Hi ,

Well ok, I didn't understand that Cochlear already had rechargeable

batteries. The way the news flash was written it appeared to be something

new. Since I did my original research, to get my CI just over a year ago, I

haven't really kept up. I don't remember reading that they had

rechargeables, back then. Was it only for the body processor, is that is,

and these that they're talking about now are for the BTE?

Binns

----Original Message Follows----

From: Ci92000@...

Reply-

Subject: Re: Dear Cochlear: Cat's Outa the Bag Now-- The Press

Release?

Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 06:38:10 EDT

I'm not sure I understand....what does Cochlear's coming out with a

rechargeable unit have to do with how much many people like having

disposables??

Having rechargeables is nothing new to Cochlear. When I was first hooked up

in 2000 I used the body work processor and used the rechargeable batteries.

I

always used the 2 battery case and would pop them into the recharger every

night and then alternate pairs every day so that I would never have to

bother

changing a battery during the day. I thought that was great!

Then I got the 3G where I could use disposables and now I think this is

great! And I don't have to change anything for a good three days!

Cochlear simply puts out there as much as they can for it's users to enjoy

and benefit from. We all have a different hearing " fingerprint " so to

speak,

and all the different processing strategies, software options, and battery

options (nothing new here) serve it's users quite well.

In a message dated 6/28/2006 10:02:31 PM Eastern Standard Time,

treasure43@... writes:

Hello,

I have a question....I always see people who have Cochlear brand CI's post

here on this forum about how wonderful it is to have the disposable

batteries for your CI, and how your lifestyles require this and how much of

a pain rechargeables would be, etc, and how glad you are that your CI's

don't have rechargeable batteries. So now I see that Cochlear is coming out

with rechargeable batteries, and talking like that's a good thing, when I

thought you guys didn't like the idea of rechargeables? It's a

puzzle.........

Binns

June 29, 2006

It was only for the body processor back then. I know that the Freedom body

worn is very small and can use the rechargeables. I think the Freedom BTE

only uses disposables but I'm not sure. Someone out there can clarify?

In a message dated 6/29/2006 5:39:02 PM Eastern Standard Time,

treasure43@... writes:

Was it only for the body processor, is that is,

and these that they're talking about now are for the BTE?

Binns

June 29, 2006

,

It IS new...for the Nuke BTEs. The body worn has always used

rechargables because those are off the shelf batteries, double A type.

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

" It's pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness; poverty and wealth have

both failed. "

-- Kin Hubbard

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

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

June 29, 2006

,

Oh, THOSE kind of rechargeables. Not particular to the CI. Now I

understand. Thanks.

Binns

>

> ,

> It IS new...for the Nuke BTEs. The body worn has always used

> rechargables because those are off the shelf batteries, double A type.

>

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

> " It's pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness; poverty and

wealth have

> both failed. "

> -- Kin Hubbard

> & Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

> Newport, Oregon

> N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

> rclark0276@...

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

>

June 29, 2006

Hi ,

Well because I don't 'know' anyone with Cochlear CI's except you all, that

actually discuss them. I know people that have them, but we are friends on

a different level and really don't discuss our CI's much. So, what little I

know about Cochlear, I know from here, so to me the Cochlear users here are

representative. I have never heard anyone speak well of rechargeables on

here, so that's why I thought what I did. So, I was surprised to see the

news flash, and the fact that Cochlear is coming out with them, because I

had never heard anything good about them, on here. So I thought no one

would like them.

Binns

----Original Message Follows----

From: " " <rclark0276@...>

Reply-

< >

Subject: Re: Dear Cochlear: Cat's Outa the Bag Now-- The Press

Release?

Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 20:14:41 -0700

,

Those with the Nucleus on this list hardly represent the majority

worldwide. What leads you to think the same people who have voiced negative

feelings about rechargables are now embracing this? LOL What is puzzling

about it? Cochlear either had it planned anyway, developing efficient

batteries, or they took a survey. Hmmm, they didnt ask me.

Still puzzled? Speaking for myself, I still very much prefer

disposables. Less chance of being caught with dead batteries. No chance of

mixing up dead with recharged. No risk of losing expensive little tiny

small batteries. No worry about being caught somewhere with the power out.

Now of course I am not against this new feature from Cochlear. It just

aint for me. LOL Still puzzled? Wonder why....

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

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

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

June 29, 2006

Hi ,

Don't forget that outside of the US many of us have to pay for our batteries

out of pocket and don't get the money back from the insurance company.

Disposable batteries here in Australia are expensive and if it was not for

the fact that I am able to order cheap batteries from the US I would be most

likely be using the bodyworn with rechargeables to save money. I would have

been very happy to have seen rechargeable BTE batteries.

Also Cochlear is breaking into some new worldwide markets in a big way such

as China where disposable income is much lower than in the West. It could

be that they are responding to the needs and concerns of those people in

those markets rather than the mob here on this list.

Just some possible thoughts?

Severe/profoundly deaf since birth

Lost residual hearing October 2005

Approved for CI March 2006

Surgery 9th June 2006

Activation 29th June 2006

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Binns

Sent: Friday, 30 June 2006 12:42 PM