I have worn Starkey CICs for 28 years. I had to change to Intent1s, not my choosing I must point out. These are top of the range models BTE. BUT my hearing in them, compared to Starkey, every person’s speech is very trebly, and cannot make their words out. Yes, I have lost the top end of hearing which is speech. Even everyday sounds are different.
No matter what adjustments are made, nothing seems to help. It’s so frustrating.
I have been told by a Specialist, I need to go back to wearing Starkey, but BTE, not CICs, due to my hearing loss, as my brain is so use to their sound. Anyone have any comments regarding this issue. Or have they found the same issue changing Brands/Makes.
I’m convinced it’s easier to stick with one brand for both patient and audiologist, but I also think with a knowledgeable and patient enough audiologist that they should be able to make hearing aids sound very similar.
I wore Starkey (full shell’s) for many years but switched to Resound Linx3D BTE when the Made for iPhone Bluetooth technology became available. I believe I understood speech about the same so not a game changer. I did go with BTE and have been using BTE’s ever since. Even though I loved the Resounds, I switched to Oticon Reals just to experience a different brand. I believe that I understand speech better. My next aids will be purchased when the LE audio Auracast is widely available. You should seriously consider BTE if the specialist recommends them.
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- If the hearing loss has become more serious than before, it is a better choice to change to BTE.
- If the audiogram is similar to the previous one, and you are used to CIC, please stick to your choice.
- Compared with BTE, CIC is more expensive.
For the original poster, it’s likely you’d been under prescribed for a while. The treble you can hear is the extra sharpness you aren’t used to.
This post illustrates a few problems in not using REM, a loudness measure or sharpness/hearing in noise test.
Firstly: we have no evidence to say that the Oticons are actually set correctly.
Secondly: it would be fairly easy to set up a before and after REM using the old and new aids.
Thirdly: The Moresound sound settings - which determine the levels of resolution in background noise, how were they established? Were they tested with a noise track over speech? Did the Audiologist even open the tab that makes the aids softer or sharper in complex situations?
Also counselling: if the patient had been through the steps above - were they informed and able to feed back their opinions into the process.
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