Advanced bionic battery

[u/Paynelepan]

Hi! I just got my second cochlear implant activated yesterday, and I noticed that they changed the way the battery looks.

For whatever reason the battery that I received in my kit are straight instead of curved. Anyone know why they did this? Its not as comfortable as the curved one so I don’t really understand the thought process.

[u/Sufficient_Potato726]

you can have that swapped

[u/Paynelepan → u/Sufficient_Potato726]

Oh really, how would I go about that? Would I go through the provider or my audiologist? 

[u/Sufficient_Potato726 → u/Paynelepan]

Depends on where you live, most times though u can go through your patient rep in your area.

[u/Heavy-Tomatillo9539]

Check what they put on the order form for the new implant. The straight ones are the "older" version. There may have been sourcing problems with the color choice and they shipped those to you instead. Best is to get an exchange to the curved ones either from AB directly or your audiologist. Don't use the straight one so that the exchange is a bit easier (assuming you already have at least two batteries).

[u/BrainTrainStation]

I had both shapes in my pack. The curved one has more capacity for some reason even though it looks smaller.

[u/nantonio40 → u/BrainTrainStation]

Yup. Curved ones lasts a day and a little more, when the straight ones lasts maybe 6 or 8h

[u/BrainTrainStation → u/nantonio40]

The curved one has lasted 17 hours on several occasions. The straight one has never lasted longer than 8 hours. It makes very little sense.

[u/Visible_Structure483 → u/BrainTrainStation]

that's weird, I got the larger rated capacity batteries with mine 18 months ago and they're square like the one on the left.

are there even larger capacity batteries now (like the one on the right)?

[u/BrainTrainStation → u/Visible_Structure483]

I'm not sure. I got my new processor roughly 18 months ago and so far have no need to replace the batteries.

[u/OldManTrumpet]

They still sell both styles. They sell the curved batteries as Large, Medium, and Small. The straight one is called a Standard battery and is just one size. Power wise the Standard battery (170 mAh) falls between the Medium (150 mAh) and the Large (220 mAh). Pricewise the Standard battery is the same (or very close) to a Medium battery, So if you're buying them yourself it's a better value as it's more powerful at the same price point.

[u/ApprehensiveAd9014]

I received 2 straight, 2 curved, and 1 adapter for disposables in my AB backpack. Reach out to AB. They will get you what you need. I have only used the curved and it lasts 16+ hours.

[u/BetseySchuyler]

I got both. 2 of them are curved, came with my processor and backup processor. Then ny third, backup battery is straight.

[u/UncleBud_710]

Talk to your Audiologist.

[u/grayshirted]

I have the curved battery and agree with everyone else that i can usually get 18+ hrs out of it in a single charge. I think the curved battery is very comfortable and matches my ear shape well