Re:Cochlear's Obsolescence Policy...

[Guest guest]

Barry,

If something is not able to be repaired, your insurance should cover

the replacement, or a goodly portion of the replacement cost. Do write

to them and find out. Yes it is obscene that something is out of date in

8 years. I find it hard to believe they can't get the parts, they just

aren't going to order them, hence they won't get them. And yes, they

want to get money out of you for an upgrade - or money from someone. But

in the case of obsolescence, see if insurance will kick in.

____________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

,

Nice to hear from you & I hope all's well. I do follow these posts & I see

you upgraded to a Freedom. Questions on that later. E-Mailed Cochlear about my

Blue Cross helping me, & they passed the buck for me to E-Mail Access Mediquip,

which I did a few hours ago. Being a former Senior Electronic Technician outside

of NYC, I know for a fact that parts can be gotten elsewhere once another part

expires, for one reason or another. For example, if a person owns an old RCA

radio that uses vacuum tubes, there is a place I once saw on the net that can

find you the tube you need. So, yes, Cochlear is after the big, easy bucks, & I

don't like their policy at all, because it leaves the patient (don't they count

anymore?) at a big disadvantage. Barry in PA.

>

> Barry,

> If something is not able to be repaired, your insurance should cover

> the replacement, or a goodly portion of the replacement cost. Do write

> to them and find out. Yes it is obscene that something is out of date in

> 8 years. I find it hard to believe they can't get the parts, they just

> aren't going to order them, hence they won't get them. And yes, they

> want to get money out of you for an upgrade - or money from someone. But

> in the case of obsolescence, see if insurance will kick in.

>

> ____________________________________________________________

> Small Business Tools

> Compete with the big boys. Click here to find products to benefit your

business.

>

http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=l_vhxbHkkPZVPEYln3Yd7QAAJ1CAYQG2fn\

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>

[Guest guest]

Everyone has their own opinion. But I still feel Cochlear is unfair. If I want

to continue to hear, I will have to pay for it one way or another...bye, bye

>

> " Being a former Senior Electronic Technician outside of NYC, I know for

> a fact that parts can be gotten elsewhere once another part expires, for one

> reason or another. For example, if a person owns an old RCA radio that uses

> vacuum tubes, there is a place I once saw on the net that can find you the

> tube you need. "

>

> The flaw in this is that cochlear implant components are not off the

> shelf items. There is nothing at all about the Cochlear products that are

> off the shelf as other comsumer products.

>

> Every part is made for Cochlear. Could they continue to have the parts

> made? Sure. But there has to come a time when its no longer feasible for

> one reason or another.

>

> Does RCA still make vacuum tubes? I doubt it tho there may be a company

> somewhere that finds it still worth the time to make replacement tubes.

>

> Saying that Cochlear is after the big bucks is also unfair. They do

> look after our welfare. We have people who were implanted well over 20

> years ago who still benefit from the technology.

>

> I am a conspiracy believer but its misplaced here. I would be stone

> deaf now but for companies like Cochlear who gave me back the ability to

> hear again.

>

> If you feel otherwise, are you willing to go deaf and stay deaf? The

> Vietnam war protesters burned their draft cards and moved to Canada to prove

> a point.

>

> Quote of the nanosecond. . .

> Don't walk ahead of me, I might not follow.

> Don't walk behind me, I might not lead.

> Just walk beside me, and be my friend.

> --Albert Camus

> & Dreamer Doll ke7nwn

> E-mail-

> rclark0276@...

> Home Page-

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

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Barry,

Since Cochlear has had so many upgrades in the 25 years they've been

in business, they can't be expected to keep parts in stock for all the

processors they've ever used. That's just not savvy business. And if

your insurance will kick in to cover the new one, then better for you.

It's all business.

Yes, you can get vaccuum tubes for old radios, but they are hard to

come by and expensive to obtain. You can probably buy a state of the art

radio at WalMart for less than a tube for the old one. So it's all

economics.

I upgraded to the Freedom on the older implant, which I've had for

almost 14 years. I started with a body worn processor that says, " For

Investigational use only, not for resale " , then went with the Sprint BTE

processor. Traded that in for the 3G, and upgraded the 3G to the

Freedom, which I still use.

I went bilateral in September, and have 2 of the Nucleus 5 processors

for that new implant. But since it cannot yet be mapped using SPEAK, I'm

using a back up Freedom to hear out of that ear. The Nucleus 5 implant

can run with either the Freedom or the N5 processor. It cannot be

programmed with the 3G processor.

So, you gotta go with the flow I guess. Go after your insurance and

see if they will pay for the upgrade. Is your 3G broken currently? Or

are you just looking ahead to when you won't be able to get it fixed.

From what I understand, you can get it fixed through Dec. And hopefully

by then the N5 processor will be available for folks using the 3G.

,

Nice to hear from you & I hope all's well. I do follow these posts & I

see you upgraded to a Freedom. Questions on that later. E-Mailed Cochlear

about my Blue Cross helping me, & they passed the buck for me to E-Mail

Access Mediquip, which I did a few hours ago. Being a former Senior

Electronic Technician outside of NYC, I know for a fact that parts can be

gotten elsewhere once another part expires, for one reason or another.

For example, if a person owns an old RCA radio that uses vacuum tubes,

there is a place I once saw on the net that can find you the tube you

need. So, yes, Cochlear is after the big, easy bucks, & I don't like

their policy at all, because it leaves the patient (don't they count

anymore?) at a big disadvantage. Barry in PA.

____________________________________________________________

Medical Insurance

Click to find great rates on medical insurance, save big, shop here.

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[Guest guest]

Barry, LIFE itself is unfair. Which is news to nobody. At least you can

buy batteries anywhere and from anyone, unlike some implant products.

But as pointed out, the bits and pieces are unique and it comes to

a point where it's cost prohibitive to keep repair parts on hand for the

few who still have the product.

You can hear, that alone is worth whatever price. Be nice if things were

fair, but as I said originally Life itself is not fair. The newer

processors help you hear better, and your insurance should help pay for

it. So what's the problem. You're not still driving a Packard car, or

if you are, you have to spend hours looking for parts. Things progress,

and improve. You're not using a phone that you have to crank at the side

and say, " Mabel, give me uptown " . You have a cell phone, or a landline,

maybe even cordless that our parents wouldn't even DREAM of. So go with

the flow, and enjoy the Freedom and better hearing that goes with it.

Everyone has their own opinion. But I still feel Cochlear is unfair. If I

want to continue to hear, I will have to pay for it one way or

another...bye, bye

____________________________________________________________

Love Spell

Click here to light up your life with a love spell!

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[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for the update. My 3-G's are fine, except one uses batteries more

often than the other one. Going to see a new Audi closer to me in Camp Hill, PA.

Cochlear referred me to Access Mediquip to help me with the insurance. Once I

see my new Audi on March 24, then I will start the process. I will try to get

the Nuke 5, if not, the Freedom...Hey, by the way, the nerve of the Browns

beating the Steelers last season! Barry in Pa...ps I have the memory of an

elephant, they all say here in PA....

>

> Hi Barry,

> Since Cochlear has had so many upgrades in the 25 years they've been

> in business, they can't be expected to keep parts in stock for all the

> processors they've ever used. That's just not savvy business. And if

> your insurance will kick in to cover the new one, then better for you.

> It's all business.

> Yes, you can get vaccuum tubes for old radios, but they are hard to

> come by and expensive to obtain. You can probably buy a state of the art

> radio at WalMart for less than a tube for the old one. So it's all

> economics.

> I upgraded to the Freedom on the older implant, which I've had for

> almost 14 years. I started with a body worn processor that says, " For

> Investigational use only, not for resale " , then went with the Sprint BTE

> processor. Traded that in for the 3G, and upgraded the 3G to the

> Freedom, which I still use.

> I went bilateral in September, and have 2 of the Nucleus 5 processors

> for that new implant. But since it cannot yet be mapped using SPEAK, I'm

> using a back up Freedom to hear out of that ear. The Nucleus 5 implant

> can run with either the Freedom or the N5 processor. It cannot be

> programmed with the 3G processor.

> So, you gotta go with the flow I guess. Go after your insurance and

> see if they will pay for the upgrade. Is your 3G broken currently? Or

> are you just looking ahead to when you won't be able to get it fixed.

> From what I understand, you can get it fixed through Dec. And hopefully

> by then the N5 processor will be available for folks using the 3G.

>

>

>

> ,

> Nice to hear from you & I hope all's well. I do follow these posts & I

> see you upgraded to a Freedom. Questions on that later. E-Mailed Cochlear

> about my Blue Cross helping me, & they passed the buck for me to E-Mail

> Access Mediquip, which I did a few hours ago. Being a former Senior

> Electronic Technician outside of NYC, I know for a fact that parts can be

> gotten elsewhere once another part expires, for one reason or another.

> For example, if a person owns an old RCA radio that uses vacuum tubes,

> there is a place I once saw on the net that can find you the tube you

> need. So, yes, Cochlear is after the big, easy bucks, & I don't like

> their policy at all, because it leaves the patient (don't they count

> anymore?) at a big disadvantage. Barry in PA.

> ____________________________________________________________

> Medical Insurance

> Click to find great rates on medical insurance, save big, shop here.

>

http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=ohjopb3FNpRVkuEQ-FGTzAAAJ1CAYQG2fn\

ZWBLacCwlpBoaTAAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQVgAAAAA=

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

Appreciated the facts of life..you were always a sweetheart to so many of us

here...Barry in PA.

>

> Barry, LIFE itself is unfair. Which is news to nobody. At least you can

> buy batteries anywhere and from anyone, unlike some implant products.

> But as pointed out, the bits and pieces are unique and it comes to

> a point where it's cost prohibitive to keep repair parts on hand for the

> few who still have the product.

>

> You can hear, that alone is worth whatever price. Be nice if things were

> fair, but as I said originally Life itself is not fair. The newer

> processors help you hear better, and your insurance should help pay for

> it. So what's the problem. You're not still driving a Packard car, or

> if you are, you have to spend hours looking for parts. Things progress,

> and improve. You're not using a phone that you have to crank at the side

> and say, " Mabel, give me uptown " . You have a cell phone, or a landline,

> maybe even cordless that our parents wouldn't even DREAM of. So go with

> the flow, and enjoy the Freedom and better hearing that goes with it.

>

>

>

> Everyone has their own opinion. But I still feel Cochlear is unfair. If I

> want to continue to hear, I will have to pay for it one way or

> another...bye, bye

> ____________________________________________________________

> Love Spell

> Click here to light up your life with a love spell!

>

http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=1V3HyxURK6jcJQjee31ILAAAJ1CAYQG2fn\

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>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Barry,

Hope the service will help you with your upgrades, and if you can hold

on until the N5 comes out for your implant, all the better.

I'm using a Freedom processor on my N5 implant, because the N5 doesn't

run SPEAK yet, and that's the strategy I need. So my back up Freedom

processor is now mapped for the N5.

It was WAY cool of the Browns to beat the Steelers, and it started a

winning streak that left us almost 500 for the season. Trust me, it was

hell trying to sell Browns stuff when every game was lose, lose, lose.

As I once told someone, It's never a question of will the Browns lose to

the Steelers, but by how much. No longer true.

Go Dawgs,

,

Thanks for the update. My 3-G's are fine, except one uses batteries more

often than the other one. Going to see a new Audi closer to me in Camp

Hill, PA. Cochlear referred me to Access Mediquip to help me with the

insurance. Once I see my new Audi on March 24, then I will start the

process. I will try to get the Nuke 5, if not, the Freedom...Hey, by the

way, the nerve of the Browns beating the Steelers last season! Barry in

Pa...ps I have the memory of an elephant, they all say here in PA....

____________________________________________________________

Love Spell

Click here to light up your life with a love spell!

http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=B2StanWGmPDyB2w5ugORpQAAJ1CAYQG2fn\

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