's Concerns & AB Recall

[Guest guest]

Hi and every 1

I really hesitate to enter this debate as I hate comparing brands at

all but I sense your confusion and I will offer some " Personal "

observations which might be useful - the key here is they are my

personal observations so take them as just that!

First all the manufacturers make excellent products and as has been

pointed out by other's the implants are man made so are not perfect,

nothing ever man made will be. There is no way for any of us here on

this board (or any other for that matter) to say with any type of

authority if there is a quality control problem with any device or

manufacturer, we are seeing posts reacting to early news reports and

some of the facts are very poorly stated in those. One report even

stated the recall effected 90,000 implants mistaking the 90K branding

of the implant for the number of devices so just because it has been

reported in the media don't take it for TRUE FACT it is too early and

the facts are not out there yet. AB has not made any comment that I

have seen yet and I am sure they are working very hard to make sure

they can release the right information and do it properly. I will not

begin to speculate on the reliability of any Implant I just do not

have enough knowledge, but I will say this I have seen as many posts

about users of the other devices have to have them removed and new

implants, so there are failures of all brands even if there have not

been recalls. I may sound like I am sticking up for AB, but that is

not the case, I just want to stress there is just not enough

information (true factual information) for me to make a judgment at

this point so I will not until I see much more and I feel I can trust

what is being said.

Now regarding your choice of brand and struggle with your surgeons

desire to use AB, I have a bit stronger opinion on that topic. Again

this is my personal feeling but I have seen others who have posted

similar comments before so I know I am not alone. I do not believe it

is right for any CI Team to push any brand unless there is a SPECIFIC

Medical reason for the particular patient. My own experience was that

my surgeon refused to even address the brands beyond stating he

implanted 2 AB & Cochlear, my Audi went slightly farther but would not

make any recommendations, she said for my type of hearing loss there

is NO DIFFERENCE in outcomes between brands. I respected them very

much for this I felt they were being objective, the only advice I was

given was it would probably be easier for me to select a device based

on the features that fit my lifestyle rather than trying to figure out

if one was " Technically " superior to another. All this being said I

would make the same recommendation to any candidate, look at the

things that will make a difference to you in everyday use, batteries,

rechargeable vs. disposable (there are pro's & cons to both) the

number of program slots etc. these are the things you will deal with

daily and will be the most evident you functionally. There have been

claims in the past that some centers or surgeons are biased and even

claims that there are incentives offered by the companies, I don't

think this has ever been proven to have any merit but you may see it

said. Bottom line IMHO it is your decision and if you decide you want

a specific brand tell the Doc that is what you want even if you have

to make you final decision based on the color of the processor (I was

offered that choice and told them Sky Blue Pink with Purple Polka

Dots…lol) .

I am not sure if any of this is useful and I really did not want to

run off on the subject, but I feel it is important for us all to

remember Cochlear Implants are to restore hearing and they have a

great record of success, the companies that manufacture them are ALL

Reputable and know they have a responsibility to their patients, they

will not last if they don't live up to that responsibility and they

are not in the business to make the " Quick Buck " they are in for the

long haul.

I sincerely hope no one thinks I am taking a side here, I made my

choice and I am happy with it, I know numerous AB users who are every

bit as happy with their choice and that is the way it should be, (I

have not met any Med-El users YET but I am sure the story from them is

the same)

So stick to your guns, you know why you want the device you have

chosen and unless there is a reason (medically speaking) that you

should not have it stick with it, at his point you should require the

Doc to justify why you should NOT make the choice rather than you

justifying why you should.

Sorry for the long post folks but I had to get that off my chest, best

of Luck , and to all the AB users and candidates don't panic or

let some media hype worry you you can't change the facts no matter how

much you worry so remember that prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change

The courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the

difference.

Regards

Mike " Ears Hopin " P

Implanted June 3rd, 2005

Activated July 6th, 2005

Nucleus Freedom

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2006 00:12:29 -0000

From: " paulmmorris " <pmm_boston@...>

Subject: Re: Recall?

Hi :

Well, I didn't know that group was slanted to Nucleus Freedom and

that other groups are geared to other brands.

This is probably why I have this partiality to the Nucleus Freeom.

Now, I'd like to know some definitive reasons why I want this device

when this doctor sits me down and ask me. What do I say other than

the group that I glean info from on has a " slant " to Nucleus

Freedom?

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[Guest guest]

,

Some devices (of all brands) have been surgical errors also. I think that is

the reason for the ones that were not recalled.

Can't blame the implant companies for everything.

Carol

Re: Recall?

Hi :

Well, I didn't know that group was slanted to Nucleus Freedom and

that other groups are geared to other brands.

This is probably why I have this partiality to the Nucleus Freeom.

Now, I'd like to know some definitive reasons why I want this device

when this doctor sits me down and ask me. What do I say other than

the group that I glean info from on has a " slant " to Nucleus

Freedom?

--

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Checked by AVG Free Edition.

Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 268.2.1/279 - Release Date:

3/10/2006