I’m replacing my Phonak Audeo Smart III bte hearing aids. The biggest problem I’ve had is that they are in the shop a lot, mainly because the receivers go bad.
Can anyone recommend something that is reliable in terms of durability, not necessarily bte but probably? Thanks
Terminology clarification. Although BTE and RIC (receiver in canal) hearing aids are both of a Behind the Ear style, general forum use is for BTE to refer to larger hearing aids that have the receiver in the body of the hearing aid and for RIC to refer to one’s that have the receiver in the ear.
I believe you are referring to the later.
Receivers are something that can be expected to be replaced on a somewhat regular basis. Most places can handle the change in office, unless it’s an encased UP receiver. Moisture problems can contribute to receivers going bad. If you’re not using one, a drier might help their reliability some.
From surveys I’ve seen, Phonak and Oticon have the best reliability, but receivers are a weakspot in all RIC hearing aids. Anecdotally, Resound might have worse receiver reliability. If reliability is paramount, perhaps consider switching to a BTE hearing aid like Phonak Bolero or Naida, depending on your loss.
@Burma: There - a different ForumGuru®️ has emerged to the rescue!
[See what a great place this is?]
It’s typically called a RIC. The receiver (speaker) is attached to the hearing aid via a wire and sits in the ear. With a BTE, the receiver sits in the hearing aid body. A tube transmits sound to the ear. With a BTE, the receiver is not subject to the harsh conditions of the ear.
The other problem with the Phonaks I have is what I call “damping”. My audiologist says that my hearing aid has a function that will like cut off sound if it detects a loud sound near it like a firecracker going off. To protect the ear.
Except with mine there’s two problems with that:
It’s overly sensitive. I can turn on the faucet and the sound of the water coming out of the tap will trigger the “damping” function.
This is the main problem: sometimes when the “damping” kicks in, the sound level doesn’t return to where it was before. I’ve had the aids in the shop so many times because of this. And 8 times out of 10 the only solution is to replace the receiver. Nothing makes a difference when this happens - changing the battery … cleaning the hearing aid … new wax buster. Nope!
Thanks
Regarding the “damping” function. That should be adjustable by audiologist/hearing aid fitter by setting the sound level that triggers damping higher.
Wow another very old set still in use 2010 vintage,
This doesn’t surprise me, as HAs get to this age problems do start to surface, but maybe lucky if it’s only been receivers.
Possibly you should stick with Phonak, as your a long time user of them you’ll be familiar with their respective way of working, Phonak has some very good reviews on this forum.
Welcome to the forum Burma… I have had 3 sets of Phonak RIC’s (2 were short term) 2 x Marvel 90’s, 1 was the rechargeable version, which I strongly disliked, and 1 with the 13 batteries, this was an excellent aid, 1 set of Phonak Paradise 90’s RIC 13’s were also excellent aids, but just not quite enough oomph/power for my severe/profound loss, so I swopped them out for the latest “Phonak Naida 90’s UP BTE” with the 675 batteries, and custom silicon molds, this is indeed a large hearing aid, but smaller than previous versions, and much more suitable for my loss, in 30 odd years it’s easily the best set of hearing aids I have ever owned, this Ultra Power aid is excellent, up to 8 Bluetooth connections, and 2 simultaneously, tis quite a piece of kit… RIC’s are by their design, suspect to receiver failure, the receivers are in a hostile environment, warm and damp with the added wax build up, isn’t conducive for electrics, so 8 to 12 months is probably their lifespan, in especial if they are being maxed out like mines were! Good luck with your choice of new aids, perhaps you should post up your Audiogram, it gives the forum members a better idea what they are looking at, and they can advise accordingly… Cheers Kev.
I was going to say phonak but guess I would be wasting my breath
kevels55 makes an excellent point. The receivers are expected to operate in a hostile environment, and if they are run close to their maximum output their useful life is quite limited.
I recently went from RIC back to BTE (with the plastic tube and silicon earmold) and the difference in sound is amazing. No reading on life/durability yet, but the fitter used a metaphor that struck me - he likened the in-the-ear receiver to a pea-shooter, and said with my loss I needed a shotgun.
I was reluctant to go back to earlier technology but extremely pleased that he pushed it. The sound is fuller, much more intelligible, and I ask people to repeat what they said far, far less with this instrument.
In general I have found Phonak aids to be very durable. I have actually had the same aids as you (and they are RIC) and I have only had to replace one reciever on my dime. My audiologist sent my aids in at the end of their warranty and both reciever were replaced then even though they were working fine.
If you count the warranty replaced ones that is 3 reciever in 10 years.
I recently got the Paradise aids and the Smart III aids are now my backups.
Jim
Thank you BoCat… yeah, I did likewise and went back to BTE’s, for me tis perhaps a fuller and clearer sound than the RIC’s, 105db receivers weren’t cutting it like they used too, also my AuD used, twin walled tubing, which helps with the gain, and less feedback… Loved that metaphor 
Cheers Kev
Thanks everyone for weighing in. I’m still digesting all this so not sure what I’ll end up with.
