#7

Only way is to find out for yourself.

#8

Actually, the way is to share information.

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#9

The tough thing is to define “major improvement.” Certainly the big emphasis is on bluetooth and to a lesser extent rechargeable batteries. I think manufacturers continue to refine their product. Whether a particular refinement means anything to you is anybody’s guess, and ultimately only you can decide.

#11

Why not start a thread about it instead of highjacking this one?

#12

If there have been major improvements one would think there would be some consensus. I am new to this but those of you who have had several HA’s over the years should be able to definitively say ya or nay, My grandfather had a box about the size of a pack of cigarettes that he kept in his shirt pocket and a wire that went to an ear device. I think we can all agree that the devices have advanced well beyond that point. There are so many choices and yet no clear choice. I understand brand preference when it comes to things like automobiles that essentially all do the same basic thing but I want to think that aids for hearing are different but maybe not. Personally, I don’t see BT being a game changer when it comes to improving the ability to hear, same can be said for rechargeable batteries. Maybe I am expecting too much. They are certainly expensive, too much so for lots of people.

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#13

Actually the thread is about a new HA and I asked about improvements. You yourself asked questions about other aids so don’t get so bent.

#14

Not trying to be argumentative, but it really is in the eye of the beholder. We have people on the forum that insist that the old analog hearing aids are much better than modern aids. There is no good way to compare specs of hearing aids from the literature. Somebody once mentioned that hearing aid manufacturers talk of their “magical” features. This was hard for me too and many have asked similar questions. There is no good answer. If money is an issue, my bias is Costco. You can also go the online route, but then you lose the face to face experience and opportunities for verification. Regarding threads: some of these threads get inordinately long and get off on all kinds of tangents. This one is originally about a new Bernafon hearing aid.

#15

If you dismiss outright all marketing as hypes, I’m not sure if you should be trusting testimonials here anyway (which you call shared information). It’s not because people here would lie, but their experience with the HAs of their choice will be a very personal thing that may apply for their case but not necessarily will work for you, not to mention one’s inclination to want to reassert and defend one’s choice sometimes.

You’ll hear people say it a lot on this forum, but the only way you’d know if a hearing aid will work for you is to try it yourself. Heck, some people still prefer analog hearing aids of digital ones.

#16

I am disappointed because Zerena has Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) at 2.4 GHz but wireless programming only via FittingLINK 3.0 (wireless programming interface) and not Noahlink Wireless.

#17

Do you know if the Oticon OPN works with Noahlink wireless device? I’m just curious. But if not, it seems natural that the Zerena would not either, since they probably share the same accessories being from sister companies. Then you can be disappointed in both. :slight_smile:

#18

No, Oticon Opn does not support Noahlink wireless yet, so yes I am disappointed in both.

#20

Going to audition these on Saturday. Have been hoping to find new tech at Costco that will sound good with music.My current aids (Phonak Audeo Q) do not, dispite the audi’s attempts to program them properly.

#21

If they want to only give you the automatic program, there are reasons for that. I’d explain how import music is and ask them to provide the music program as it is a major factor in your choice.

#22

Was disappointed with the Zerena, and went with the Kirkland 7’s. Will have them in 10 days when the real fun begins for the day to day living.

#23

Care to share any specifics on why you were disappointed with the Zerena? I know you mentioned earlier that you want something for music. Was that the only thing you were disappointed?

#24

I just ordered the Zerena 9 from COSTCO yesterday and will be getting them in a couple days. I an changing from the Oticon Nera Pro 2. I also would very much appreciate your sharing your opinion of these if you would be willing to do so, or anyone else who has experience with them. I was leaning toward the Phonak but thought I would like to try these because of the iPhone connection.

#25

Please let me know your experience. I believe my audiologist did not program mine correctly, for everything sounded terrible. I’m especially interested in how they sound with music.

#26

Everything sounds awful. It sounds tinny. I hear my typing and it is too loud. The list goes on.

That a normal reaction for a first time user. The past is distorted and the new hopefully was programmed close to correct. It is your brain complaining about the instant change to something it hasn’t heard in a long time.

It often takes two to six weeks to acclimate. When you type a reply, it won’t sound like the sky is falling.

#27

I’ve read on this forum before that Bernafon hearing aids are usually noted for sounding good with music. So either you’re not used to it yet and haven’t given it enough time (how long have you tried it?), or they didn’t program yours correctly.

#28

Sounds below 500hz are ignored in a closed dome situation. They are processed by the ear in a open fit dome. Such sounds don’t add to speech recognition but they do enhance music. Think listening without the sub-woofer with closed domes or restricted molds.

So, you need to have the fitter give you a program that minimizes the speech optimization. If you can wear an open fit aid, live music works better.