Is there a program that I can use to compare Nexia RIE61 side by side with Oticon MiniRite T, Phonak L-312 and Starky Edge AI RIC 312 ?
Each company has a compare mode to compare between their own aids but I can’t find anything to help me better understand the differences here.
I’m 82 yrs old and find it hard to look at these things separately.
You could start here.
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Thank you VERY much. Hopefully I can understand it all.
Well after appraising the comparison of different aids I looked at I have basically decided on Starkey Edge RIC 312.
There are two main reasons, one, latest release day but more importantly, they have a “FALL” detection feature that is REALLY important to me @ 82 and living on my own with none of my 5 kids living in the city. I’ve been on my own since the wife passed in July 2011 and am able to manage fine so far, but I’m mostly concerned about passing unknown to anyone and leaving my dogs without their needs. A Fall detection program at least is a benefit in my waking hours wearing the aids.
Does anyone know of any negative aspects of these Edge RICs?
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I wouldn’t rely on this from a HA company, there’s better more reliable devices for this.
That’s a loaded question.
This site tends to favor Phonak, Oticon and COSTCO in that order.
I have the Starkey Edge AI RIC aids.
I like them. They work for me. Mine are the rechargeable variety.
I like rechargeables.
I do not use the fall detection so I cannot comment on that.
Aid performance is generally a product of how good your audiologist is.
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Thank you for your reply, but here in London Ontario Canada, I’ve not found any device, system that is economically viable for me but I need new aids and these do have the fall option which is better than nothing and is mostly covered by a heath plan.
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The only comparison that is worth anything is the one that the individual makes and decides is right for that individual. And what goes into that comparison is how well did the audiologist do with adjusting the aids for the individual. The odds are high that the audiologist means more to that comparison than the aids. So I put very little interest in to what anyone else’s reviews say. In fact two individuals with identical hearing loss more than likely will disagree on hearing aids and audiologists.
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Thank you for your comments. This will be my fourth set of aids since I started using them 21 yrs ago. Each time I wasn’t happy with the Aud I had so went to different place each time including this time. I don’t know if they were good or not but each was lacking in solving my needs but that may be because the things I was looking for at various times may be things that can’t BE improved/solved.
I will probably get the RIC 312 replaceables because the rechargeables, even at 41 hours, are often not long enough when I go days without sleep.
I also have to put my aids in a plug in dehydrator due to the sweat problem in my ears, and it’s not big enough to handle the charger in it so would have to be separate stages. It’s easy for me to pocket a flatpack of batteries when I go anywhere just in case of battery failure but harder to pocket that Premium lithion ion powered battery charger that doesn’t need to plug in, to take with me anywhere.
The cost of changing the rechargeable batteries in the aids is more than I would spend on batteries for the replaceables once the 4 yr free battery program comes to an end.
With my luck, and if I had the rechargeables and was at the cottage where power outages are the norm, the need to recharge would happen when in the midst of an outage.
If the batteries work best for you then that’s great.
Everyone’s situation is different.
We have to do what we think it’s best for us.
I’m not convinced hearing aids can be adjusted exactly like we want. There’s always a compromise.
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Thank you. I suspect the “compromise” may be why the Auds were unable to affect certain area improvement for me.
Well my Oticon aids are set to tge point that i put them in my ears in the morning and wear them all day without touching anything. I only have the default general program and I haven’t found a time in the last month that I need to make any adjustments.
Hopefully I’ll find the same as making any adjustments may be really problematic at my age dealing with mild cognitive impairment.
I am 77, and been wearing aids for 20 years. Without aids my word recognition scores are 50%. With aids I am at about 90%.
If you’re in London, you might have the interesting choice of going to the student clinic at Elborn College. Students are students, but their work is being overseen and they are following best practices. I don’t know whether it would be cheaper because of that aspect. Usually there’s a bit more time booked for appointments. There’s a HUGE pool of knowledge for problem-solving.
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Thanks but I was a frequent participant there some years ago. It ended badly when I walked into a clinic one day with aids working but after instructor took them to make some changes, they wouldn’t work again. The aids were a part of the program so it’s not like I had a lot of say in the matter, they just told me that was the end of my participation and they never called again for any other trial.
Your post made me curious as it’s been years since I checked out the options.
The fees have gone up a bit since then with the cheapest plan, Home Safe Standard @$50 a month now and the lockbox for a key for EMS personnel to gain entry $35. Oh yes, an admin fee of $35 also.
Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to determine reliability of the Edge Fall program as all this model of aid so far sold by my Aud are not using the feature.
Apple Watch has had a fall detection feature for several years now (I’ve never used it). Use Fall Detection with Apple Watch - Apple Support . There are some tests/reviews out there: https://www.wsj.com/video/series/joanna-stern-personal-technology/apple-watch-series-4-fall-detection-tested-by-a-hollywood-stunt-double/3940468A-DFEC-4F1F-A0F5-C9BAC8A26B1B?mod=BOLvidctr__pos0
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I have fall detection on my Apple watch and I can say it is reliable. Why, once I fell from a ladder in the garage alone and it brought up the screen to dial loved ones. Another time, I fell off my bike and the watch was ready to call. I had both Genesis and Edge AI but I never tested the fall feature so I do not know the reliability level. By the way, Edge Ai also has a feature for your caretaker /relative to check on you to see if you are humming but my invitation to my daughter never worked although I never pursued it either. Do not take me wrong, these are good features but as another reader said you need to test the reliability. Watch and other devices are better option if you are in your shower. You need to follow up on the caretaker feature which could be promising in your situation. I never got to try it so I have no experience to share. Good luck.
Thanks garyh and AlanK1 but those watches are NOT on my suitable list. To pay that much money for ONLY fall detection not going to happen as I have NO use for such a thing other than the fall det…
For me to be able to read that screen I’d have to have it magnified somehow. I have enough trouble reading the chryons on my 30" TV when they are the larger size. Smaller size many times can’t read.
I’ll check out the info on that caretaker feature.
Thanks for mentioning it.