Hi all. We’re about to buy a new TV set (in the UK) and, being a HA user, audio quality is very important for me. I have Phonak Paradise P90s so I could stream but I can see two problems, firstly if I plug anything into the headphone socket, it mutes the speakers for everyone else. Secondly, late evening is about the time when my rechargeable batteries pack up. So I’m thinking the only way is to buy a TV with good quality audio. Any recommendations? Maybe Dolby Atmos? Can’t afford a TV and a separate sound bar. As usual, hearing loss is a great divider when it comes to joint activities!
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I think streaming with the Phonak TV Connector is the best bet. Any new TV should have an optical output jack that wouldn’t mute the speakers. Most moderately priced flat screen TVs have pretty poor sound quality. I’m no audiophile but I don’t think Dolby Atmos is going to help–may even make things worse. I’m guessing the issue is understanding speech and for that you’d want the ability to emphasize the center channel. Regarding your rechargeable battery issue. Maybe take a quick 30 minute charging break sometime during the day?
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As MDB points out: the Phonak TV Connector plugged right into that optical output jack is the BEST way to go - well, unless you want those TV Ears or some redundant headset over the excellent aids you’re wearing.
Like you, I’m a POWER USER! My rechargeable Phonak Lumity Life aids only last 12-13 hours in a normal day, with little to no streaming until the evening entertainment. I think that’s pretty LAME, but my solution was to go buy a 2nd pair of the identical, rechargeable aids. Think about it.
If you NEED the aids (like I do with my cinderblock ears), you can justify the 2nd pair as a “backup” if either pair dies or needs servicing. I used to use my battery-operated Marvels as backup, but then that defeated the whole purpose of never needing to buy batteries - DOH.
Now, at 67, for the first time in my life, I have TWO identical pairs of aids to swap out throughout the day. I wake up, put in one pair, live LARGE (well, with little streaming and a prisoner of my home there are so many dang repairs going on), and then right after a workout/shower, I swap in the 2nd pair. VOILA!!! I could go almost all night being able to hear.
I really felt the need for TWO pairs of aids when on the road. Long flights, family gatherings, up till 1-2am, yada yada. It would not be possible for me to have that lifestyle without TWO aids to see me through ONE day. Too bad the rechargeable aids are pretty much replacing all battery-operated ones, cuz that limits our options.
Will be curious to know which route you go. Even if your “backup” swapped option is an older Phonak Marvel, they use the identical TV Connector as the new one! So you can just pair/connect them both up once, and as soon as the TV Connector is on, you’ll be good to go.
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Forget TV’s with good sound. Get a decent sound bar. Ah yes, subtitles help too.
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LOL! We’ve had that on our TV for years - absolute MUST. So many TVs have the speakers pointing at the FLOOR or at the wall BEHIND the TV. Doh.
However, in our new home, the acoustics are so echoey that I couldn’t enjoy movies at all. I even had a “Comfort in Echo” program added to my lineup, but that just didn’t sound very good.
So now, I stream TV through the TV Connector (with minimal ambient noise turned ON) and hubs just hears the TV through the sound bar. Best of both worlds.
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EDIT - I messed this post up - version 2 supports Dolby and version 1 and 1.1 do not.
Sorry about that…version dyslexia I guess
I agree with the TV Connector crowd, it really is the best way to go and allows everyone else to enjoy the TV as well. Try to get the version 2 as this supports Dolby Surround Sound [ver 1 does not]. With the Dolby option you get to enjoy the effects over the speakers as well as understanding the speech with the aids, and everyone else in the family can have the best sound as well.
Best bet is an ebay “refurb” for around $100.
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I hadn’t realised this. I have V2.0 but don’t use it on a TV.
Are you talking about this @Baltazard ??
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@Zebras
Wait a second, I though there were only V1 and V2 of the TV Connector?
The V2 is the one that has control buttons on the top:
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Yes but due to chip shortage (Covid problems) and not being able to make V2.0, they made a V1.1 that didn’t include the chip.
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@Zebras Not sure I am following you; So are you saying the V1.1 has got control buttons on top as well?
Edit: The manual for V1 (no buttons on top) doesn’t support Dolby, but the V2 (buttons on top) (I believe) does.
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No the V1.1 doesn’t have buttons on top.
I’m saying they made a V1.1 because they can’t made the V2.0 due to a chip shortage.
You said you weren’t aware of the V1.1 so was just saying why they made a different one.
@Zebras gotcha 
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Nice find!!!
I think the Phonak TV connector is the way to go. We went for an LG TV which the shop assistant said had a special hearing aid facility via Bluetooth. It is very flaky when trying to connect and the lag is bad so it sounds like a distinct echo, even though it has an adjustable delay.
We’re going to take it back and get a cheap TV with optical out and Phonak connector. Thanks.
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Sadly, there’s no way I can afford the luxury of a “spare” pair. The only way I could get these was to buy a pair of customer returns on eBay for £1K and a Noahlink and DIY.
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Thanks for that. I too didn’t realise that there was a V1 and V2. I can afford the connector if I take the TV back and get a cheaper one. As usual, I bought the device before I did the research d’uh!
Can you tell me, are all optical TV outputs the same spec etc. As long as it has optical out, will it connect to the Phonak device?
I can’t see the point of a 3.5mm jack because that will cut the TV speakers off. OK for Billy no mates, but no use in an average family situation.
My optical out doesn’t even work. It’s just there for show apparently. I did confirm where I bought it from when I realised.
I’m not convinced anything is for sure with electronic devices. Ideal would be to go in with the TV Connector and try it out before you buy. If not possible, make sure you have return privileges. I don’t think all 3.5mm jacks work the way you describe. Headphone jacks on front of set would likely work as you describe, but I’ve had some luck with ones on back of set. Again, try it out ahead of time if you can. If not, make sure you can return it.
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