Terms of UseCOCHLEAR AMERICAS WEBSITE TERMS OF USE July 20, 2008These Terms of Use Cochlear Americas ("Cochlear") and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, "we," "us," "our" and the "Cochlear family of businesses") welcome you to our websites. These Website Terms of Use ("Terms of Use") govern your use of the websites that display these Terms of Use (our "Website(s)"). For a list of the members of the Cochlear family of businesses and the Websites operated by each, please click here. Your Consent As we add new Websites (or add new features and functionality to existing Websites), we may need to update or revise these Terms of Use. We therefore reserve the right to update or revise these Terms of Use, at any time and without prior notice, by posting the revised version on our Websites. These changes will be effective as of the date we post the revised version on our Websites. Your use of any one of our Websites following any such change constitutes your agreement to be bound by the revised Terms of Use. To alert you to changes in these Terms of Use, we will provide a notice at the top of this page for at least 30 days after the new effective date. You may access the current version of these Terms of Use at any time by clicking on the link marked "Terms of Use" at the bottom of each page of our Websites. These Terms of Use were last updated on July 20, 2008. Click-Through Agreements These Terms of Use may be supplemented or amended by the terms of a "click-through" or "online" agreement between you and us. For example, when you register to become a member one of our Websites, you may be asked to agree to terms and conditions governing your use of the members-only portion of that Website. If you make a purchase on one of our Websites, you may be asked to agree to certain terms and conditions that govern your transaction. Special terms may also apply if you choose to participate in certain promotions available through our Websites, to obtain premium content, or to participate in an online contest or sweepstakes. If special terms and conditions apply, you will be asked to expressly consent to them, for example, by checking a box or clicking a button marked "I agree." The terms and conditions of any such "click-through agreement" will supplement and amend these Terms of Use, but only with respect to the subject matter of the "click-through agreement." The Content of Our Websites Is Not Medical Advice Our Websites contain information about the Cochlear family of businesses, our products and services, and hearing health and wellness. None of our Websites is, however, intended to be or to be used in place of medical advice. Please read this important notice carefully: THE CONTENT OF OUR WEBSITES, INCLUDING ALL TEXT, PHOTOGRAPHS, IMAGES, ILLUSTRATIONS, GRAPHICS, AUDIO, VIDEO AND AUDIO-VIDEO CLIPS, AND OTHER MATERIALS (COLLECTIVELY, "CONTENT"), WHETHER PROVIDED BY US OR BY MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITES OR BY OTHER THIRD PARTIES, IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AND SHOULD NOT BE USED IN PLACE OF (A) THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, (B) A VISIT, CALL OR CONSULTATION WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, OR (C) INFORMATION CONTAINED ON OR IN ANY PRODUCT PACKAGING OR LABEL. OUR CONTENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL ADVICE. SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY HEALTHCARE RELATED QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL OR SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDER PROMPTLY. SHOULD YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY, CALL YOUR PHYSICIAN OR 911 IMMEDIATELY. YOU SHOULD NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY IN SEEKING MEDICAL ADVICE BECAUSE OF ANY CONTENT PRESENTED ON THIS SITE, AND YOU SHOULD NOT USE OUR CONTENT FOR DIAGNOSING OR TREATING A HEALTH PROBLEM. ADDITIONALLY THE TRANSMISSION AND RECEIPT OF OUR CONTENT, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OR COMMUNICATION VIA THE INTERNET, E-MAIL OR OTHER MEANS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR CREATE A DOCTOR-PATIENT, THERAPIST-PATIENT OR OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOU AND US. Your Feedback We welcome your comments, feedback, suggestions, and other communications regarding this Website and the information and services we make available through this Website (collectively, "Feedback"). Any Feedback you provide to us through our Website and through email, verbal communications and feedback forums will be and remain the exclusive property of Cochlear, and Cochlear may use such Feedback in any manner Cochlear deems appropriate without providing notice or compensation to you, and without seeking your permission. By providing Feedback, you are deemed to have assigned to Cochlear all worldwide rights, title and interests in your Feedback, including all copyrights and other intellectual property rights in your Feedback. This means, for example, that we can use your comment or idea to modify or improve the Website, or to make changes to our products or services, or in any other way we want without restriction, and we do not have to compensate you. For this reason, you must not provide us with any Feedback that you do not wish us to use. Our Online Privacy Policy Our Online Privacy Policy describes how we protect your privacy when you use our Websites. To review our Online Privacy Policy, click here. Some of our Websites may be used by children under 13. For those Websites, please review our Children’s Privacy Policy. Our Children’s Privacy Policy and Online Privacy Policy are part of and are hereby expressly incorporated into these Terms of Use. Use of Password Protected Areas of Our Websites Some of our Websites contain password protected or "members only" areas ("password protected area(s)"). For example, CochlearCommunity.com, a social networking Website, includes a password protected area where members can discuss hearing issues and share their personal experiences. Your use of password protected areas is subject to the following additional terms and conditions. Age Restrictions. Your use of a password protected area may be subject to an age restriction. For example, you may not create an account or become a member of CochlearCommunity.com, unless you are 18 years of age or older. Other password protected areas may be designed for users of all ages, but users who are under 13 will not be permitted to register or create an account without the verifiable consent of a parent or guardian. You may not use age-restricted areas of our Sites if you do not meet the applicable age requirements. Online Registration and Account Information. To become a member of certain password protected areas, including CochlearCommunity.com, you must complete our online registration process. As part of this process, you will be asked to review and indicate your agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions that govern your use of that password protected areas. If the terms and conditions governing your use of a particular password protected areas are different than these Terms of Use, those terms and conditions will supplement and govern over these Terms of Use, but only with respect to your use of that particular password protected area. By submitting a registration form or creating a password on one of our Websites, you are representing to us that (a) you meet any age restrictions posted on the registration page(s) and (b) the information you have provided on your registration form ("Account Information") is true, accurate, current and complete. You are also agreeing to maintain and promptly update your Account Information using the functionality provided through the applicable Website to keep it true, accurate, current and complete. Your Passwords. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your passwords. We have the right to assume that anyone accessing our Websites using a password assigned to you has the right to do so. You will be solely responsible for the activities of anyone accessing our Websites using a password assigned to you, even if the individual is not, in fact authorized by you. If you have reason to believe that your password has been compromised or used without authorization, you must promptly change it, using the functionality provided on the applicable Website, and notify us at support-cam@cochlear.com. Right to Terminate Access to Password Protected Areas. We reserve the right to disable your password and terminate your access to any password protected area of our Websites at any time, without notice to you, for any reason (for example, if you fail to comply with these Terms of Use or have provided false Account Information) or for no reason whatsoever. If we do so, we may also choose to delete your Account Information or remove Content you have posted on the password protected area. Your Content Some of our Websites, including CochlearCommunity.com, provide ways for our users to post, upload, transmit through or otherwise make available ("post") text, images, illustrations, graphics, audio, video or audio-video clips, or other materials ("Content") on or through these Websites. The Content our users post is referred to as "User Content" in these Terms of Use. The Content that you post is referred to as "your Content" in these Terms of Use. Prohibited Content. You may not post Content on or through our Websites that:
Responsibility for User Content. You are entirely responsible for your Content. Some of our Websites permit you to adjust the settings affecting how others may view your Content. You are solely responsible for adjusting these settings. Posting Content via the Internet inherently poses the risk of unintended disclosure and access by third parties to your Content. We will make reasonable efforts to prevent your Content from disclosure beyond the settings you select, but we cannot guarantee these settings will prevent your Content from being viewed or accessed by unintended third parties and we will not be liable for such disclosures. We are not responsible for and do not control User Content, and, therefore, we do not guarantee the accuracy, integrity or quality of any User Content. You understand that by using Websites on which users may post User Content, you may be exposed to User Content that you deem offensive, indecent or objectionable. Under no circumstances will we be liable in any way for any User Content, including, but not limited to, any errors or omissions in any User Content, settings, viewing errors, or any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any User Content posted on or through one of our Websites.
Your notice must be signed (physically or electronically) and must be addressed as follows: Copyright Agent 13059 East Peakview Avenue Non-Commercial Use Our Websites may not be used in connection with any commercial purposes, except as specifically approved in writing by Cochlear Americas or another member of the Cochlear family of businesses. Unauthorized framing of or linking to any of our Websites is prohibited. Commercial advertisements, affiliate links, and other forms of solicitation may be removed from our Websites without notice and may result in termination of access privileges. Links to Third-Party Websites Our Websites may contain links to other websites owned by third parties (such as, advertisers, affiliate partners, strategic partners, or others). We are not responsible for examining or evaluating, and we do not warrant the products or offerings of, any of these businesses or individuals, or the accuracy of the content of their websites. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the actions, product, and content of any such websites. Before you use any third party website, you should review the applicable terms of use and policies for such websites. The inclusion of a link in any of our Websites does not imply our endorsement of such third party website. If you decide to access any such linked websites, you do so at your own risk. International Use If you access one of our Websites from outside the United States, you agree to comply with all local rules regarding your use of our Website. User Disputes You are solely responsible for your interactions with other members of our Websites. Cochlear reserves the right, but has no obligation, to monitor disputes between you and other members of our Websites. Disclaimer of Warranties YOUR USE OF OUR WEBSITES AND ALL OF THE CONTENT, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR WEBSITES, IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. OUR WEBSITES, AND ALL OF THE CONTENT, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR WEBSITES, ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS, WITHOUT REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, COCHLEAR, THE COCHLEAR FAMILY OF BUSINESSES, AND ITS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, LICENSORS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS, EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO OUR WEBSITES, THE CONTENT, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR WEBSITES, YOUR USE OF OUR WEBSITES, OR ANY WEBSITES TO WHICH OUR WEBSITES ARE LINKED, INCLUDING ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, COCHLEAR, THE COCHLEAR FAMILY OF BUSINESSES, AND ITS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, LICENSORS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS, DO NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT (A) OUR WEBSITES OR THE CONTENT, PRODUCTS, AND SERVICES MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR WEBSITES WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS OR EXPECTATIONS; (B) YOUR USE OF OUR WEBSITES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE; (C) THE CONTENT IS ACCURATE, COMPLETE, CURRENT; OR RELIABLE; (D) YOUR CONTENT, COMMUNICATIONS, PERSONALIZED SETTINGS OR OTHER DATA WILL NOT BE DELETED, LOST, MISDELIVERED, OR CORRUPTED; (E) NO VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL CODE WILL BE TRANSMITTED TO YOU. ANY MATERIAL DOWNLOADED OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED THROUGH THE USE OF OUR WEBSITES IS ACCESSED AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION AND RISK, AND YOU WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM OR LOSS OF DATA THAT RESULTS FROM THE DOWNLOAD OF ANY SUCH MATERIAL. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES, SO SOME OF THESE DISCLAIMERS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. Limitation of Liability WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE IN ANY MANNER FOR ANY CONTENT POSTED BY A USER OF OUR WEBSITES. ALTHOUGH WE PROVIDE RULES FOR USER CONDUCT AND POSTINGS, WE DO NOT CONTROL AND ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT USERS POST ON OR THROUGH OUR WEBSITES AND ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OFFENSIVE, INAPPROPRIATE, OBSCENE, UNLAWFUL, INFRINGING OR OTHERWISE OBJECTIONABLE USER CONTENT YOU MAY ENCOUNTER ON OUR WEBSITES OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF OUR WEBSITES. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT, WHETHER ONLINE OR OFFLINE, OF ANY USER OF OUR WEBSITES. |
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For hearing loss, refers to less than average ability to hear and understand sounds due to one or more parts of the hearing system not working properly.
For hearing loss, refers to problems hearing in both ears, not just one.
For hearing loss, refers to problems hearing in one, but not both ears
People with mild hearing loss have some difficulty following speech, mainly in noisy situations; quietest sounds they can hear in their better ear average between 25 and 39 decibels (a standard measure of sound)
People with moderate hearing loss have difficulty following speech without a hearing aid; quietest sounds they can hear in their better ear average between 40 and 69 decibels (a standard measure of sound).
People with severe hearing loss get help from powerful hearing aids, but often rely on lip-reading even when using an aid; quietest sounds they can hear in their better ear average between 70 and 89 decibels (a standard measure of sound).
People with profound hearing loss mostly rely on lip-reading and/or sign language; the quietest sounds heard in their better ear average from 90 decibels or louder (a standard measure of sound).
A disease in which bone grows abnormally in the middle ear preventing structures within the ear from working properly and causing hearing loss.
Part of the ear that contains both the organ of hearing (the cochlea) and the organ of balance (the labyrinth).
A high-pitched, sometime painful, whistling sound that occurs when a microphone picks up sound from a nearby speaker and replays it again and again (commonly occurs when a poorly fitting hearing aid earmold allows sound to “leak” from the speaker back into the microphone).
Electronic devices or accessories for hearing aids that provide extra help in specific listening situations (telephone, noisy backgrounds, small or large group settings, etc.).
Hearing loss due to failure of the auditory nerve, also called nerve deafness.
A portion of the lower skull bone that contains the inner ear.
For individuals who previously experienced hearing and get a cochlear implant, the comprehensive training program that “re-teaches” them how to hear and interpret sounds, to recover any lost speech skills, and to properly use the cochlear implant speech processor and controls.
For individuals who had not previously experience hearing and get a cochlear implant, the comprehensive training program that teaches them to hear and interpret sounds, to develop or improve speech skills, and to properly use the cochlear implant speech processor and controls.
For health insurance, coverage involves making sure a health plan or policy pays for the cochlear implant device and related professional services (for example, physician and audiology services). Usually, you go through a preauthorization process. This means getting a guarantee from the health insurance plan that they will pay for the implant and services before getting treatment.
For health insurance, billing involves the process by which health care providers charge, code, and submit their bills (in the form of a claim) to the health insurance company or plan.
For health insurance, payment involves getting the full amount allowed for services given a health plan’s limitations, allowables, deductibles, and co-payments.
A disorder of the fluid volume of the inner ear that can cause hearing loss, dizziness/vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and/or pressure or pain in ear.
a viral or bacterial infection that causes inflammation and swelling of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord; among possible serious complications are hearing loss or deafness.
a viral infection that causes swelling of the salivary glands; sometimes spreads to central nervous system which can result in hearing loss.
a viral infection that causes rash, fever, and cold-like symptoms; sometimes causes complications like ear or brain infections which can result in hearing loss.
on one side, but not the other; used to describe a type of hearing loss in which there is normal or somewhat impaired hearing in one ear and little or no hearing in the other ear.
condition in which one ear has little or no hearing ability and the other ear has normal or close to normal hearing. Also referred to as Single Sided Deafness (SSD).
the natural process of bone growing into the titanium fixtures creating a direct connection between an artificial implant and living bone.