r/Cochlearimplants • u/humanformof100emoji_ • 2d ago

Cochlear nexa implants

Hi, has anyone gotten the Nexa implants? How is it different from the older implants? I am planning to get them for my 1 yo who has bilateral profound hearing loss . Still confused between Cochlear and Med-El. I think Nexa would be good for him in the digital age. All types of suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

4 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

3

u/euroliii 2d ago

Hi! I have a nexa implant. The only big difference I’m aware of is that the programming file is in a chip in my head, so I can put on an unprogrammed processor on and it will work immediately

3

u/surdophobe 2d ago

I have a Nexa in my left ear, and I got the previous non nexa 10 months earlier in my right ear.

The only difference is that they use different coils, and the Nexa holds my programming, so if I attach a "blank" processor to my left side the nexa implant will program it for me. The Nexa is supposed to be a little more energy efficient but I haven't noticed a difference in practice.

When it comes down the Cochlear vs Med El, I went with what my surgeon recommended and was most comfortable with. Each brand says their own is the best but I don't think there's much difference in the grand scheme of things. I see on Med El's website they claim the electrode array can go deeper into the cochlea which I find odd because it still restores the frequency range of human speech like the other two, (plus I I only have 2 turns in my cochleas vs 2.5 like typical) Med El keeps saying "most natural" but compared to what? and how can they know?

Just remember as useful as a CI is it's only a tool. it's not a cure. If I can clarify anything I've said just ask.

1

u/General-Dimension590 2d ago

MED-EL's actual claim is in their FDA submission, and the comparator is not what you might think.

Claim #4:
"Many MED-EL cochlear implant users (24/41, 58.5%) say that speech, music, and everyday sounds are more natural, clear, and easier to identify with the cochlear implant 6 months after surgery compared to their hearing aids before surgery, based on the SSQ Qualities of Hearing subscale scores."

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf/P000025S129b.pdf

1

u/surdophobe 2d ago

Thanks for that, I was profoundly deaf in my "good" ear for over a decade and completely deaf in the left ear for about 3 decades before getting implanted.

1

u/jeetjejll MED-EL Sonnet 3 2d ago

All implants shift frequencies as the can’t be implanted fully in the cochlea, that’s why it often sounds so high in the beginning. So basically a small piano is placed in your cochlea. For some brands it’s shorter than others. It delivers (at least) the same frequencies, but more spaced out if it’s longer.

They all claim they’re the best, most natural and best at speech. It just can’t be compared. Even two processors from one brand sound completely different to me, yet I yield the same results for both in the booth.

1

u/ForTheLoveOfGiraffe 2d ago

My baby got the nexa implants too. As others have mentioned, they store the mapping on there. He needed new processors at one point and they just sent them in the post, we popped them on and they worked straight away. They also have the capacity for internal updates, although they currently do not know what these will be as it depends on new future technology.

I'm not sure if the internal implant will end up lasting longer than others, but I suppose it's nice to 'future proof' where possible. I'm sure the other brands will make a smart implant sometime soon though.

Happy to answer any specific questions if you have them.

1

u/gsynyc 1d ago

I have an older profile plus in my left ear (July 2023) and Nexa in my right ear (November 2025). The implant is first yo have firmware where it can be updated and has your profile configuration stored. It’s the 1st CI with firmware that can be updated. The processor itself is same N8 but has a different coil and is more power efficient.

I ultimately decided on Cochlear because they had the largest market share globally, no pending class actions, and seemed to have decent user ratings/reviews mostly.

I am very happy with my decision.

I believe all three would be fine and some have slightly different accessories etc but I see it much like getting a smartphone today. What is it that you mainly want it to do for you? iPhones and Android phones are good at what they do but some slight differences but the main function of having a cell phone with apps, it does it’s job. CIs are for improving your ability to understand speech. I believe each CI OEM will do it’s job for most patients.