HELP! Any expert in Cochlear implant technology - Electronic Hearing Implants?

[Zucca]

I make the story short. A big friend of mine got the left ear messed up by a surgery. Now she is 100% deaf on the left side, unbelievable. 

The doctors are moving on with a cochlear implant... something like this:



We are located in Germany, so I am confided she will get good stuff.... BUT... instead to blind trust the doctor (or google  ), are there any expert out here to point us in the right direction/technology?
Any (insider) tips or suggestions will be really appreciated in this mess.

God Bless,

Z

[amspire]

What do you need to know about it? It is an Australian invention that goes back a long time. I think it was first used in the 1970's.

It is a mature technology by now.

The website is: http://www.cochlear.com/wps/wcm/connect/au/home

The CP920 is here:
http://www.cochlear.com/wps/wcm/connect/intl/home/support/cochlear-implant-systems/nucleus-6-system/warnings/cp910-and-cp920-sound-processor-warnings

There is a lot of information and some videos.

It is good technology. Cochlear have a range of products so I guess the doctors have chosen the 920 based on your friends particular issues. It could be there are alternative model choices available that might have advantages.

[vk6zgo]

I worked at a place that had the contract to test &/or repair Cochlear devices.
At that time, the processor was a separate unit from the "behind the ear" microphone, although it was already a very compact unit.

We had very few major problems, even in those early days.
Most of it was replacing the microphone ( from memory, you could open up the "behind the ear device" & do it at "component level", in much the same way as we repaired conventional hearing aids).

The external coil was replaced as a complete unit if it failed.

Obviously, we had nothing to do with the implanted bits, but they were extremely reliable.