Choosing a Cochlear Implant
HomeChoosing a Cochlear Implant

Choosing a Cochlear Implant

Why cochlear implantation?

To date, cochlear implantation is the most effective method for the rehabilitation of deaf people. After the operation, patients begin to hear and understand human speech. But the decision to conduct it is always also the choice of that cochlear implant, with which a person later has to live his entire life, and therefore it plays a huge role.

Compare cochlear implants

Several manufacturers of cochlear implantation systems are on the world market and, undoubtedly, there are plenty to choose from. Correctly selected cochlear implant is a guarantee of the future good perception of the child or adult sounds of the surrounding world and music, the ability to easily go through additional medical examinations (MRI), as well as easier and effective training of the baby speech. In addition, the size of the implant, as well as the reliability and convenience of wearing the speech processor, are of no small importance for small patients. Compare the cochlear implants of different manufacturers *.
Synchrony
73,5 %
Pulsar
100 %
MED-EL
110,5 %
Manufacturer №2
122,5 %
Manufacturer №3
Manufacturer country

Released

Implant size

% ratio is indicated in the pictures in the table header

Austria


Pulsar 2007 year

Sonata 2007 year

Concerto 2011 year

Synchrony 2014 year

Australia


2005 year

2009 year

USA


2002 year

Depth of introduction of the electrode into the cochlea

Provides an advantage in the perception of speech and music (better intelligibility in noise) **

31,5 mm

14,5 mm

25 mm

Possibility of holding
magnetic resonance imaging

Up to 1,5 Tesla

Without surgical extraction of the magnet

Up to 3 Tesla

Synchrony
Without surgical extraction of the magnet

Up to 1,5 Tesla ***

Only with the extraction of the magnet (additional surgery)

Up to 3 Tesla ***

Only with the extraction of the magnet (additional surgery)

Up to 1,5 Tesla ***

Only with the extraction of the magnet (additional surgery)

Up to 3 Tesla ***

Only with the extraction of the magnet (additional surgery)

The review presents the manufacturers of CIs occupying not less than 20% on the market of sales in the Russian Federation.

* According to clinical study FS1: final report (CRD2005CIP001), Innsbruck, March 2007.

*** FDA ban (USA) on MRI without surgical extraction of the magnet. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) — The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for the control of the safety of food, tobacco products, food additives, medicines, medical devices and veterinary drugs.

Let's compare implant systems
Synchrony
73,5 %
Pulsar
100 %
Med-El
110,5 %
Manufacturer №2
122,5 %
Manufacturer №3
Wearing options

Standard

Compact

Cordless by ear

Accumulator remote

Sports

Children's

Monoblock without connecting wires

Waterproof (with covers)

Standard

Compact

Children's

Rechargeable

Waterproof (with covers)

Standard

Compact

Children's

Rechargeable

Waterproof

Speech intelligibility

% of well-defined keywords *

81 %

63 %

50 %

Index of quality of the implant operation against noise background **

50 %

38 %

20 %

Methodical aids for rehabilitation after CI

A set of methodological manuals "I hear the world!"

Is not provided

Is not provided

Maintenance costs

(the minimum retail price of a battery for 2015 is 30 rubles).

Set of 3 batteries
Expenditure per year

OPUS 2
3 batteries / 7 days
156 pieces
4680 Rub

SONNET
2 batteries / 5 days
146 pieces
4380 Rub

3 batteries / 5 days
219 pieces
6570 Rub

No battery power supplies included

World reviews of CI and RP since 2002 due to refusal of work

No reviews available ***

1 review ***
is currently valid

2011 year *****

More 20 reviews for 10 years ***

2002 year ****
2004 year *****
2006 year *****
2008 year *****
2010 year *****
2012 year *****

Source: Brough et al., Annual Conference of the British Cochlear Implant Group, Cambridge, June 22-23, 2009

** Source: Haumann et al. (2010) ORL. 2010; 72: 312-318. when using the psychometric function Schmidt et al.

*** According to the FDA (US Department of Health & Human Servise)

**** Stop production due to system failures.

***** World recall of the implanted part due to system failures in operation.
Cochlear implantation in children and adults: features of the procedure
What is cochlear implantation?
The only effective method of rehabilitation of children with complete deafness.
  • The system consists of two parts: an internal (cochlear implant) and an external (speech processor).
  • During the operation, a system of electrodes is built into the patient's inner ear, which, with the help of electrical stimulation of the remaining fibers of the auditory nerve, helps to perceive sound information.
  • This is the most effective method for the rehabilitation of deaf children: with a cochlear implant they can hear and understand human speech.
  • The system works as follows: the signal is delivered directly to the auditory nerve, bypassing the non-functioning parts of the ear, whereas conventional hearing aids simply amplify the sound.
  • After cochlear implantation, a systematic adjustment of the speech processor in children and rehabilitation is necessary.
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