Interesting now I understand why some have misgivings not having option to use disposable batteries.I had Siemens rechargeable back in 2010 used to carry disposables as spares.
1 Like
You need t-coils for hearing loops, found in some churches, auditoriums, city council chambers, a few airports, and other large spaces. Some cities have more than others. Also more common in Europe where you even find them in taxi’s. Still better than Bluetooth for large rooms as BT is one on one (I ask speaker to wear my BT remote mic, but it only helps one person) and BT has distance limitations so it doesn’t work in churches and other large spaces. Also loops can be used as neck loops to work with Roger mic technology if you are wearing other brands of HA such as Oticon, and to connect to tv etc.
Thanks for the info.
I don’t think I’ll be in any venues any time soon where the TCoil will be needed.
Program Options Compare KS10 vs P90 V4.pdf (843.4 KB)
UPDATE 2021/Apr/24 The previous version uploaded Compare KS10 vs P90 has been edited to add to compare a feature that I inadvertently left off before. In Target 7.1 fitting software, looking at the “Fine Tuning” tab and viewing the lower bar options, KS10 has a tab for “High Frequency Protect” and P90 has a tab for “Sound Recover 2”. Both of these have the exact same available sliders, explanations and default values. This has been added to last row of the chart.
If you are trying to understand how the different auto programs can be tweaked in either the Costco KS10 or Paradise P90 the attached chart should be very helpful for you. By the way, both KS10 and P90 settings all looked identical except the one for “Hearing Aid Microphone”. KS10’s adjustment is 6 to 20 for “Directional Microphone” while Phonak’s P90 adjustment is 6 to 10 for “UltraZoom”. I think that perhaps UltraZoom benefitted from the side shifted mic that is different from the KS10s which is the same placement that was on the KS9.
I recently had the opportunity to view the screens where two fitters were working side-by-side. One had Kirkland KS10.0 loaded and one had Phonak Paradise P90-RT loaded. Both had the same screen showing “Fitting” “Fine Tuning” “Program Options”. Looking at the Program Options screens side-by-side I took detailed notes. The attached PDF is a 1-page chart that I built. You can see the KS10 option right next to its twin the PD90 option. For each option, I documented their description as its shown in Target (descriptions are identical by the way). And for each of the standard programs, I documented their factory settings.
10 Likes
I have KS9 with T-coil. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that all the desk phones I use at work are T-coil compatible. Most of the time I use my work cell phone because I can hear better with it, but when I have to use a desk phone I use the T-coil setting on my KS9 and it works pretty well. I just have to long push the button to switch to T-coil program.
That’s why BT LE Audio will be important. It can be one-to-many and BT LE has a longer range than classic BT, more like 80 to 100 ft as opposed to about 30 ft. It’s a lot easier and less expensive to retrofit a space with BT transmitters than it is with a telecoil. So telecoil is/was great in its day but I think both for features and economics of installation, BT LE Audio will be the future. So that in part is why I’m waiting to see what becomes available in new HA’s in the next year or so before I run out and get new HA’s myself. Following thread with great interest but no BT LE Audio in KS10’s will be a downer, especially if Phonak comes out with a new premium HA that has it.
1 Like
I am hearing more of these Dr. Cliff videos. What are they and who is Dr. Cliff? Why would Costco worry about Dr. Cliff?
The Costco dispensers dont have the training to implement the tinnitus feature
IMO, it is not the Costco dispensers training. It is Costco’s policy.
Additionally I was told by the Costco specialist yesterday that they do not have the Tinnitus feature available in their Target software to be able to add it to the KS10’s even though it is listed as an available feature for the model.
Sorry that people are so misunderstanding of your hearing loss and treat you so badly. My hearing loss is in the high frequencies. So, what I say may not be relevant. I picked up my Kirkland 10s earlier this week that replaced three year old Brio 2s, and all I can say is I have noticed a significant improvement. This morning, voices in church were clearer, and so far, I have not found myself wanting to change any settings. I just put them in the morning and almost forget they are there. I hope they work for you.
4 Likes
I have a question more general about the KS10. I saw that @AbramBaileyAuD noted there were some differences between the KS10 and the Phonak HA despite the use of the same chip. Same with the body and mic placement. People seem very happy with the KS10’s, so I have no issue there, and kinda wished I knew more about them before getting my first HAs about 2 months ago from a private Aud. I’m not complaining, as the Starkey Livio’s I have are terrific and have made life infinitely better on day to day use, especially for voice in a noisy setting. But they were a lot more than $1,400 for a pair.
Regardless, my question is if you buy a non-Kirkland branded HA (not sure all the ones they carry) like a Phonak or Oticon, are those special “editions “ through Costco or are they identical to the same purchased from any private audi office? And are their prices much better on those as well?
Obviously with brand new HAs I’m not going to be back in the market for several years (until these finally become irreparably broken), but knowing different sources will be handy in the future, KS or other brand at Costco (if those others are competitively priced to a private audi).
1 Like
All of the aids Costco sells are unique to Costco. You couldn’t buy them anyplace else. The ones made by Phillips and Resound can only be programmed by Costco. The ones made by Sonova (Phonak) and Rexton can be programmed by anybody with necessary hardware and software. Prices range from $1400 for the current Kirkland model to many in the $2000 range and I believe the Phonak models may still be around $2500. All prices are for a pair. Prices from a private audi would likely be in the $4000 to $7000 for similar aids. Edit: I’ve since learned this isn’t quite right. The new Phillips model is the same as that sold in other countries, but Phillips isn’t otherwise available in the US and it is not locked. Rexton too seems to be selling their regular models to Costco, but Rexton is not a top tier brand, but it’s similar to Signia.
3 Likes
If a Costco specialist told you that the tinnitus balance feature is not available in their software, they either haven’t had the in-service training on the KS10’s and/or they haven’t bothered to nose around the software.
1 Like
I just came from a test at Costco, and ordered KS10s.
I asked about the cost of battery replacement, and he said after the 3 year warranty, it would be $135 each.
4 Likes
Ah yes. That is probably the case.
That’s why you take them back, just before the end of your warranty and tell them that your battery life is getting worse. They will send them in for battery replacement for free, and you are good to go for the next few years. By the time your batteries need a replacement that you have to pay for, it will be well past tie to get a new pair.
1 Like
I’m not sure about IOS, but for Android, there’s an app called “Bluetooth Auto Connect” that will allow you to prioritize multiple connections to your phone - In other words, when your car is connected, it won’t connect to your hearing aids.
3 Likes
This $135 per hearing aid sounds like what Costco charges for any kind of hearing aid repair outside of warranty, no? I remember it being a flat fee no matter what kind of repair it is, and it used to be a little less than $135 (maybe $120 4 or 5 years back).
If my batteries were getting worse, I would do that. If not, I wouldn’t.