Binns rechargeable battery question

July 3, 2006

Dear :

There is nothing so " puzzling about it " ! I think we need some " history " to

clarify your post below. What I believe you are remembering is when the AB

rechargeable batteries were giving less than 18 hrs of usage. (Of course,

AB worked hard to lengthen battery life.) As I recall, there was a time

when this was the ONLY power source option for AB implant recipients. I

believe I read recently that some people had a disposable battery option,

but I am not sure for what processors and when this became an option. It

would be nice to be updated on this. Were these BTE units "

Cochlear users of the N24 and the Freedom will now have a rechargeable

battery option that lasts 3 days. My plan when I get the Freedom upgrade is

probably to use the rechargeable option when I am home, but opt for the

disposable when I am traveling away from my home. I believe I would be safe

to say that the people who were making choices based on battery options were

making it more on the number of times a person might need to change in an

average day (e.g. lifestyle). I know I wear my CI processor 18 hours a day,

so for me needing to switch out batteries several times a day was not part

of my lifestyle. Current candidates for the Freedom processor after July 1,

2006 will receive 2 rechargeable batteries and a charging unit. The reason

for only 2 is that most people put the battery back in the charger each day,

reducing the need for more than 2 rechargeable battery units. These

batteries will fully recharge in 4 hours and will not require the total run

down to maintain optimum power. ( I don't know the techie talk for this,

but no need to " exercise " the batteries) Estimates are they will last 1,000

charges, so each kit will have potential for 2,000 charges. This will be

5.5 years of usage by my math.

It is wonderful the companies are all working to make the option of

rechargeable batteries that last more than 18 hours an option. As far as I

know, MedEl is still not offering this option.

Warmly,

Carol in WI

,

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?

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