I’m really confused and overwhelmed by conflicting information and choice so would appreciate advice please.
I live near Cambridge in the UK and work as a teacher/trainer. I’m currently trialling a pair of Infinio Sphere v90s and need to sort out the issues I’m having with these before the end of the trial period (70 days left to go).
Prior to buying the Spheres, I wore NHS Oticon aids but have never found them comfortable and had to force myself to wear them. By the end of the day, I wanted to tear my ears off! I have small ears (including small ear canals) and wear glasses, which doesn’t really help!
My hearing loss is only mild-moderate, but I really struggle with speech clarity (particularly women and children’s voices and people with any pronounced accent), and this severely impacts my work. I also struggle to hear speech in noisy environments; hence I was attracted to the Spheres. I hadn’t appreciated until after the trial started that the speech in noise function on the Spheres is not so effective with the vented domes audiologists insist are best for me (even though I find them itchy and uncomfortable).
Strangely, even though the Spheres are bigger and heavier than my Oticons, I find them more comfortable and the speech clarity is wonderful.
A few months ago, I was granted a whole host of Roger equipment by Access to Work including a Roger On v2, a Pass-Around Mic, two Table Mic 11, and a Touchscreen Mic. I’ve never used this sort of equipment before and would really like to get to grips with it, although I suspect my Access to Work Assessor went into overkill when she recommended all this stuff!
I already own an iPhone 15Pro, iPad and Windows PC. Before falling down this rabbit hole, I used to think I was reasonably tech savvy, but right now I feel like chucking the whole lot through the window!
Unfortunately, after being awarded all the Roger equipment, I found out the Roger On v2 needs a shoe attached to the end of each hearing aid to work with my NHS Oticon aids. As I already struggle with wearing these aids - that didn’t seem a viable option.
I was told by my NHS audiologist the only aids that connect to Roger equipment without needing a shoe hanging off the back are Phonak’s own brand. Therefore, I bit the bullet and decided to purchase my own Phonak aids. I did some research and was told by three different private audiologists that Sphere 90s would connect seamlessly to Roger.
However, when I went for the initial fitting at Specsavers a few weeks ago, the audiologist couldn’t connect Roger On v2 to the Spheres. She rang Phonak tech support and they told her I would also need to buy an installer (£180+) and two new receivers (almost £400 each)! I really cannot afford another grand on top of the £3,000 I’ve just paid for the Spheres.
Since then, I’ve been driving myself mad going round in circles reading conflicting advice and information. I’ve read a few posts on here from people saying there is a way you can connect these by sticking a pin into part of the aid to open the licence but I’ve lost the post which linked to a video! If anyone can give me more info on that I’d be grateful. I’ve not read anything on this forum about needing different receivers though.
I’ve pasted part of an email below from my audiologist at Specsavers. She states Phonak tech support have told her:
- The receivers that we require if you have a Roger ON V2 are called ROGER X (02), these are used with the installer (the installer will cost £183). I am surprised at the retail price of these, and we need 2 of them (£399 each)! Standard receivers are different that fit into the hearing aids. The ROGER X receivers are small independent squares with three pins that sit on the installer to transfer the license to each infinio sphere. Phonak tech support have notified me that if you ever lost your hearing aid(s) the process would need to start again, and new ROGER X receivers would be needed. This would not be the case if you had a ROGER ON IN.
- The current receivers in the hearing aids are £69.95 each, the ROGER X’s are £399.00 each. You are covered by warranty for your hearing aids and current receivers for 4 years.
@threluja thank you for your comments re your Spheres. In your post you mention connecting to Roger v2. May I ask how you did this, please?
At the risk of sounding like I’m currently hosting the worlds biggest pity-party, I’m at the end of my tether with caring for my disabled husband, moving house and dealing with new tech at work atm so the HA issues are the final straw and I don’t know which way to turn. Therefore, I’d be very grateful for any advice and support. If anyone happens to be in the Cambridge/Ely area of the UK or knows of anyone knowledgeable I can meet with to talk to in person, (or even remotely on Zoom) that would be even better!