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Kanso or Rondo users please advise


Anni

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Hi everyone, I am currently trying to decide between the Kanso or Rondo.  I am very active (sprinter and hurdler with regular training sessions) and I have been told that the Rondo may not stay on well (in general, not just with sports).  Has anyone experienced this? Any Kanso / Rondo users I'd love your opinions! Thank you in advance! 

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My Rondos stay on fine.  They never fall off.

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Hi Anni,

I don't run or anything of the sort but when I exercise with my Rondo, I wear a headband or headscarf to keep it extra secure. I haven't had any problems with it falling off walking around or bending over.

Good luck deciding!

 

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Thank you Mary Beth and Megan! Are you happy with your Rondo's? I have been told that the Kanso is far superior technology but it is a lot more expensive, and I read somewhere on the forum here that the Med El is better if trying to preserve hearing (which we are for me).  Definitely a hard decision! 

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Hi Anni,

 

I know it seems not as exciting to consider the internal implant instead of comparing the external processors but it is the internal implant that we keep for many many years and the external processors change out every five years or so.  I suggest you compare internal implants and possibly give more weight to those when making a decision.  Just my opinion.

 

The Rondos sound great to me.  The batteries last a long time (days).

 

I am curious about your comment about preserving hearing when considering the one piece processors because the one piece processors are not EAS/hybrid.  Since EAS/hybrid requires an earmold.  Do you plan on using an in the ear HA on the same side as your one piece processor?  How do you plan on using your residual hearing?

 

Making a decision between brands is complicated and I recall very well how my mind was spinning when I needed to make my decision.  I wish you the best!  These CIs are life changing.  I love them!

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Hi Anni,

When I was in your spot deciding between 2 brands, I made my decision based on the internal processor/implant. Technology will always catch up and advance on the outside in my opinion. The fact Med El's Synchony implant can go into a 3.0T MRI was very important to me as well as hearing music.

The Rondo has a little older technology but it sounds very good and was amazing when I couldn't wear my Sonnet at activation. 

I wish you the best in making your decision! It's an exciting, life changing time ?

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Thank you again Megan and Mary Beth!  They are very good points - I didn't actually consider the internal processor, and you're right - the technology does get updated every few years.  

 

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2 hours ago, Mary Beth said:

I am curious about your comment about preserving hearing when considering the one piece processors because the one piece processors are not EAS/hybrid.  Since EAS/hybrid requires an earmold.  Do you plan on using an in the ear HA on the same side as your one piece processor?  How do you plan on using your residual hearing?

I think I interpreted the comment that I read being in regards to the surgery and the internal processor.  But I may have interpreted it incorrectly.  I am just trying to do some research about that.  I have good low frequency hearing which they will be trying to preserve during the surgery - although there are no guarantees.  I haven't been told about hybrids/earmoulds so I assumed that didn't apply to me?  My surgeon said I can use the Rondo/Sonnet (or equivalents).  

 

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Check into what your CI team is thinking about your residual hearing.  I have friends with residual hearing with Med El implants and they are all using the Sonnet EAS , which is an electric-acoustic processor.  An earmold is attached.  Low frequency residual hearing is handled by the acoustic component of the Sonnet (like a hearing aid handling low frequency sounds), miss and highs ar handled by the electric component of the Sonnet (the cochlear implant).

 

I don't see how you are going to be able to use your residual hearing with either the Rondo or Kanso without wearing an in the ear hearing aid but maybe I am missing something.

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They don't need to amplify my residual hearing.. I have a really steeply sloping loss so my residual low frequency is normal! Does that make more sense? :) (I know it's apparently quite unusual)! (I am unilateral sudden-onset due to labrynthitis).  I am guessing the Rondo/Kanso is just for the high frequency I am not getting but they are trying to preserve the low frequency..  I don't know if any of that makes sense or is correct - I'm still trying to make sense of it all myself ;)  

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Hi Anni,

 

Are you able to choose a processor (Rondo or Sonnet EAS if you go with Med El / Kanso or Nucleus if you go with Cochlear) AFTER surgery when they test to see the status of your residual hearing or do you need to choose before surgery?

 

I have a friend with that reverse slope hearing loss and she is using the Sonnet EAS and loves it.

 

It may be important to know exactly how your residual hearing tests out before deciding if it would benefit from acoustic amplification.  Definitely something you can explore with your CI team.

 

lots to consider on this journey.  Smile.  Good luck to you!  I wish you the best.

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Hi there. I'm user of Rondo. Really I have low knowdledge about other brands.

The only "problem" I have at this moment with  Rondo is use a headset. I know I Quattro or similar devices but I talk about simple headphones because Rondo is not near ear.

I have not practiced sport even with Rondo, but the accesory that Megan comments seems a good choice.

@Anni, if you want, read this interesting MED EL post before your desicion.

https://blog.medel.com/10-questions-you-shouldnt-miss-asking-your-cochlear-implant-surgeon/

 

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13 hours ago, Mary Beth said:

Are you able to choose a processor (Rondo or Sonnet EAS if you go with Med El / Kanso or Nucleus if you go with Cochlear) AFTER surgery when they test to see the status of your residual hearing or do you need to choose before surgery?

 

Hi Mary Beth!  I had planned on getting both the Sonnet EAS and the Rondo, or both the Nucleus and the Cochlear.  But with the plan to wear the single unit more often than the behind the ear unit, so I will have options either way.  I just know from hearing aids that I will prefer the single unit (and also the look of the single unit).   Thank you though - it is a very good point! :-) 

 

Hi Valentin!  Thank you for your input and the link :) I will take a look!  It is very helpful to be able to speak to a number of different users to get their advice! 

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On 22/06/2017 at 7:17 AM, Valentin said:

Hi there. I'm user of Rondo. Really I have low knowdledge about other brands.

The only "problem" I have at this moment with  Rondo is use a headset. I know I Quattro or similar devices but I talk about simple headphones because Rondo is not near ear.

I have not practiced sport even with Rondo, but the accesory that Megan comments seems a good choice.

@Anni, if you want, read this interesting MED EL post before your desicion.

https://blog.medel.com/10-questions-you-shouldnt-miss-asking-your-cochlear-implant-surgeon/

 

Thank you Valentin!! Very much appreciated! I spoke to my audiologist and we have decided to go ahead with the Med El so I am super relieved to have made a decision! 

 

Thank you everyoneforyour advice and support! ?

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That's great news Anni! You'll have to keep us updated on your journey ? Let the countdown begin for surgery!

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Anni that is fabulous!  Can't wait to hear all about your journey!  Wishing you the best!

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Great news! Best of luck on your journey!! 

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Hello, I am new to this whole Cochlear Implant idea. Though I've struggled with my hearing nearly all my life (and I'm 42), it never crossed my mind that eventually I'd be a candidate for a CI. I was diagnosed with Otosclerosis in 1998 and had a Stapedectomy surgery in my left ear. It worked tremendously but over the years it decreased. I finally got a Miracle Ear hearing aid in 2011 because it was starting to get hard to understand people. It worked fabulously and I felt like I had gotten back into life again for awhile. But all that changed in 2014 when I had a wax build-up and the hearing aid specialist didn't make sure I heard her on a check-up, she was always talking to me when I didn't have my hearing aid in which on something as important as wax-build up you would think she'd make sure I clearly understood her. Anyway, the next visit nearly a month later I was noticing I couldn't hear as well and she was astonished. Told me she had informed me I needed to get the wax cleaned out on the last visit, but I didn't hear her correctly I guess. She told me it was urgent I get to an ENT. When I went, I had an ear infection and fluid built up in my ear. Long story short, I lost the hearing in that ear for the most part. I got 2 words right out of 25 during the hearing test.  (This is also the ear that the CI will be in). I did get a hearing aid for my right ear but I can no longer hear music well and just basic conversations with people are becoming a tad stressful. 

I have my Speech thing on Aug 3rd and honestly I really don't know what to expect. So any help anyone can give in this would be extremely helpful. You know, what to expect etc.

Right now I'm considering the Rondo or Kanso as I work an active job and I really don't want the BTE piece if it can be avoided. I just need to know who those are recommended for and if they are just as good as the BTE ones.  I do know that I sweat a lot at my job and workout regularly so I need a device that I don't need to worry about sweating all over.

Any help is appreciated and it's so wonderful knowing that I'm not the only one going through this journey.'

Nomiroo

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Hi Nomiroo..

 

I haven't had my surgery yet so I can't offer you as much help as some other people may be able to, but I just want to wish you the best of luck.  I will also be using the Rondo occasionally  (as well as the behind the ear device) as I regularly train (I'm a sprinter & hurdler).  From what I understand, I will need to wear the sports headband to keep it in place during strenuous activity, but I've recently spoken to a lady who uses the Kanso and she said it stays in place well during normal day to day activity.  I think that I read some Rondo users on here said the same thing - stays in place well for day to day activity (have a look back through the earlier posts maybe).  Wishing you all the best xx 

 

 

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Oh also.. ask your audiologist for advice about which device is best for your individual needs as I know the mapping is slightly different between the behind the ears and the Kanso/Rondos.  My audiologist was very helpful in helping me coming to a decision based on my individual hearing/lifestyle and mapping needs.  Believe it or not, in the end we realised that the MedEl hybrid will fit my ear canal better (I have tiny canals) if I need to use the hybrid, so there are definitely lots of factors to consider! ;) Overwhelming but a good CI audiologist can be incredibly helpful! 

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Welcome 

I too have otosclerosis and am now a bilateral CI user.  I have both the Sonnet and Rondo processors.  They are both great.

 

wishing you the best

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Welcome Nomiroo!

Ask all the questions you need to. My left ear was implanted October 2016 and I utilize a Sonnet and Rondo. They are both wonderful for different reasons!

Best wishes on your journey ?

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7 hours ago, Mary Beth said:

Welcome 

I too have otosclerosis and am now a bilateral CI user.  I have both the Sonnet and Rondo processors.  They are both great.

 

wishing you the best

Thank you for posting in response, Mary Beth. I really appreciate it! Out of curiousity how much was it for the bilateral CI? I'm recommended to get at least my left ear implanted but could qualify for my right ear. I do believe my health insurance is exceptional and covers 90% of the cost up to $4000 maximum or something like that and then it's 100%. So I'm just curious if I'm looking at this surgery costing if I get it done in both ears. Of course, I know it depends on what I get etc etc but other than the brochures he gave me to look over everything I'm really not certain which route to take. Is it more expensive having two types of receivers? There's so many questions.

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5 hours ago, Megan L. said:

Welcome Nomiroo!

Ask all the questions you need to. My left ear was implanted October 2016 and I utilize a Sonnet and Rondo. They are both wonderful for different reasons!

Best wishes on your journey ?

Thank you for replying, Megan L. I'm sure you know how hard some of these decisions are to make. Would you say so far that the Rondo is worth it? i work in a warehouse and it often gets hot in there. I'm concerned about sweating for the most part as I live in Phoenix and the summers are very hot. I sometimes wear prescription glasses so am really trying to avoid the BTE processor if I can, though I'm sure having both of these would be highly beneficial in many ways. All of this is a bit nerve-wracking but it will be worth it in the end.

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14 hours ago, Anni said:

Hi Nomiroo..

 

I haven't had my surgery yet so I can't offer you as much help as some other people may be able to, but I just want to wish you the best of luck.  I will also be using the Rondo occasionally  (as well as the behind the ear device) as I regularly train (I'm a sprinter & hurdler).  From what I understand, I will need to wear the sports headband to keep it in place during strenuous activity, but I've recently spoken to a lady who uses the Kanso and she said it stays in place well during normal day to day activity.  I think that I read some Rondo users on here said the same thing - stays in place well for day to day activity (have a look back through the earlier posts maybe).  Wishing you all the best xx 

 

 

 

13 hours ago, Anni said:

Oh also.. ask your audiologist for advice about which device is best for your individual needs as I know the mapping is slightly different between the behind the ears and the Kanso/Rondos.  My audiologist was very helpful in helping me coming to a decision based on my individual hearing/lifestyle and mapping needs.  Believe it or not, in the end we realised that the MedEl hybrid will fit my ear canal better (I have tiny canals) if I need to use the hybrid, so there are definitely lots of factors to consider! ;) Overwhelming but a good CI audiologist can be incredibly helpful! 

Thank you, Anni for the replies. I'll be asking my Surgeon when I go in there next which will be Aug 3rd. There's definitely a ton of questions. I appreciate all the help I can get!

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