I can get a pair of Phonak Audeo Infinio Sphere I90 at about 3000 USD according to this:
I am very interested in the Sphere program - for noisy environments like restaurants etc. From what I have read here and elsewhere, it seems real good (a game changer?)
At the moment i am using Phonak Audéo Lumity L70 RT. I am pretty satisfied with them. But my biggest problem is noisy environments.
3000 USD is too much for a pair for me. Is there something significantly cheaper but capable alternative out there?
For what its worth, I tried the Jabra 30’s and found them “not good” in noise and returned them. Subsequently purchased the Sphere 90’s which are great. In my mind there is no comparison, but everyone is different. You can certainly try the Jabra because there is a generous return period.
If the Spheres are too expensive, then the Starkey’s AI would be too expensive too. That only leaves the Jabra 30.
If you can get a pair one-of-line Phonak Spheres for $3,000 that would be a very good price as ZipHearing wants $4,500 for a pair the top-of-line Spheres.
I guess that’s always the goal. And it’s tricky and takes a lot of sound processing, which makes it expensive. That why Phonak Sphere and Oticon Intent, which I believe are the best hearing aids for speech in noise, are very expensive.
With the Jet series Oticon wants to make some of that available for people who can’t pay the full cost of an Intent device. I use neither of this, but I am aware of the issue, of course. I have not seen a Dr Cliff review or similar, but if you know of one, please post a link.
In this video (of yesterday!) Matthew Allsop at Hearing Tracker compares speech in noise with 6 aids: Oticon Intent, Phonak Sphere, Starkey Edge AI, Widex Allure, Signia X and Resound Vivia.
I tried listening to the sound samples in the youtube video with my headphones (without my aids). I basically can’t follow the conversation in any of the six samples. I just hear some words. But I got the (vague) idea that Signia X works best!???
Note that their results are based on their test procedure. Their test procedure may not be relevant to your hearing lose, how you wear your hearing aids, and so on.
This is why I and others recommend you test the hearing aid in your own ears.
You really don’t have much to lose with the Jabra 30 hearing aids if you live close to a Costco. You have a full 180 days to try them.
Plus, you stated earler that you can’t afford $3,000 for a pair of hearing aids.
Imho , there aren’t many hearing aids significantly better than the Lumity . On paper, the Jabra 30 is the cheaper alternative to the Sphere but I’m just not seeing people raving about it like the Sphere. As others said, you will only know if you try them .
Why kind of domes are you using?
Has anyone suggested a Roger On? I would be recommending one to any person with your degree of hearing loss. It would be more cost effective than a new set of aids and give you a significant boost in noisy situations.
The vented domes are probably your problem because a lot of the noise is bypassing your aids, & going straight to your ears. You might have your audiologist setup your current aids with closed domes which will allow the noise reduction in your aids to process everything you hear.
I am a DIY person and just set up an inexpensive older pair of Phonak Bolero Q30 aids which I switched from open to closed domes to try the next time I plan to be in a noisy restaurant. As I normally use open domes, I believe it should make a huge difference. .
Yeah & it could save you a ton of money!
I have 3 different sets of Phonak hearing aids, because I like being able to listen to music and have the lower to middle tones going directly to my ears, I fitted them with vented domes, but have struggled in noisy environments. If the aids I switched to closed domes work out, I’ll just carry them with me & swap them with my regular aids when going to restaurants or other noisy situations.
