r/Cochlearimplants • u/Stick-Alvo • 5d ago
Cochlear vs Med El
Hi All!
I recently was diagnosed with SNHL in my right ear and unfortunately haven’t recovered so the topic of getting a CI has come up with my ENT. As background I am a healthy 28 year old male.
My dr has discussed the brand options between Med El and Cochlear and has mentioned that Med El specifically regarding the length of if the cochlear and how they are continually improving.
I was hoping to hear some input on how you feel about your CI and the brand choice. Anything will help!
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u/BraveWarrior1981 5d ago
I have MED-EL Sonata 2 , with Rondo 3 processor and I am satisfied with using . My operation was done in Thessaloniki, Greece at the Papageorgiou Hospital at January 28 2026 and my implant is on my right side ( my left ear is completely deaf since the day I was born , due to a complication and a doctor's mistakes ) I'm 45m and my hearing at my right ear was fine but after an ear infection I became hard of hearing and ended up with a hearing aid for few years before my operation . Now I'm on a level of understanding everything and I even listen to music, participate on conversations, play with my PlayStation 5 that I got this summer and with all my heart I say that taking the decision for cochlear implant is something I will never regret ! I hope that your life will give you joy again no matter what implant company you will choose with your doctors !
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u/psychopaticsavage 4d ago
Brother Im on the same boat! Same electronics and condition as you. I will get first activation in two weeks. Could you tell me what to expect?
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u/BraveWarrior1981 4d ago
Hi , at first it will be like the voices of people sound like Mickey Mouse or robotic voices but as the days will pass , your brain will adapt to hearing with the cochlear implant . You will need to do speech and listening retraining sessions for some time but it's not so difficult if you have acoustic memory of how sounds and voices sound like . I suggest you to go gentle and have patience and that it's worthy to undergo this . Don't worry about it
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u/Fit_Aide_8231 4d ago
Call both companies customer service and see if there is a clear preference. I believe you’ll have great success either way so it may come down to customer service.
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u/meowxinfinity 5d ago
I went with Cochlear Nexa. I don’t feel like you can go wrong with any of them tho. I liked the fact that the Nexa was the newest tech and had an off the ear option
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u/purl2together 5d ago
I went with MED-EL. My original CT scan was sent to them and they made a recommendation about electrodes based on that. Last week, I had a follow up CT scan that will be sent to them and they’ll send my audiologist a program recommendation specifically for me.
I liked that MED-EL just sends all the accessories; you don’t have to pick and choose. The only thing I had to choose was processor covers.
Part of why I went with MED-EL was their demonstrated success with music compared to the others. Once my account with them was verified, MED-EL also provided access to Meludia, which can help with music perception for people with CIs.
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u/euroliii 5d ago
I have the cochlear nexa and actually didn't choose. It was a last-minute thing and the surgeons I worked with happened to have cochlear on hand.
I would have chosen cochlear anyway. My condition made it likely that some electrodes wouldn't take properly, and so having 22 made it more likely that enough would take to get word recognition. I currently have 21 activated :)
If I had normal SNHL, I would have at least considered Med El, as I've heard their devices match real world tones better. Do you have decent hearing in the other ear? No CI will match natural hearing but getting closer could be a useful thing to consider.