The Dilemma!.... Solved!

The more I read on the differences between the Nucleus Freedom and the Harmony, the more I truly realized that even though the professionals say, "It doesn't really matter which one you pick," that it does to me. It really really does, because not only am I trusting my ear to a company, but I am also trusting in the fact they'll continue to develop new technologies that will be fully compatible with my implant now, instead of introducing new implants that will leave me in the dust.

So, I frantically fired away a series of emails to the patient care coordinator, telling her I really wasn't sure and needed to see the processors again and discuss it with the audiologist. I promised it would only take 10 minutes if that was all they could spare. Jenny set me up for 3:30, cheerfully. I was thrilled- a same day appointment so that this didn't have to weigh on my mind and confuse me any further.

I had stated that one of my main desires is to be able to listen to music, and not have to deal with a bunch of wires and cables. I found out this morning (which led to some of my confusion over which company to choose) that the Nucleus Freedom allows you to open up the back of the processor (the thing that you wear on your ear) and simply plug in your iPod or music player. No swapping earhooks or whatever. But I wouldn't let that be the only factor, in my decision.

HOWEVER, the audiologist (Tina) explained how it would work with BOTH companies and some of the comments left on this post were REALLY helpful, because I had some idea of how things could work. I wrote down on the bright yellow pad, "I heard that you could hook an ipod up to the Harmony but still keep noise of the environment around or turn it on and off, so that I don't have to swap earhooks. Is this true??" Tina looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, "Absolutely. Yes. You actually just can direct connect the cord to the ipod" and showed me. It wasn't as complicated as it had sounded upon reading it.

So, given the fact I really dislike the Freedom's cord/headpiece, I happily kept in mind the many great recommendations and tips left on this topic by people eager to help and people that had very helpful and valid points. Thank you all!!!

I also rethought the fact about the MRI. I won't be getting many MRIs hopefully, but Tina and her intern VERY helpfully informed me that getting the magnet removed isn't a big surgery. They just cut through muscle and take it out, simple!

I feel so much better about this and have been able to completely answer all my questions as well as revise the post that was here earlier. I had been confused about which was "better." So all in all, the dilemma is... SOLVED!

I am getting an Advanced Bionics cochlear implant, the Harmony make and with a sienna-colored BTE (earpiece). It also turns out that they have a TON of caps and colors and they said for me to just remind them and they'll give me those!! So I'll be fashionable, haha. I think I'll be rocking the metallic blue cap most of the time though, as I just love the color blue.

Thanks again to everyone who helped! Also, I'm really getting excited. I picked up a copy of the book Rebuilt by Michael Clorost, and so far am almost done with the book. It is both intriguing and sad, but immensely helpful in realizing some of what to expect.