I downloaded the Philips HearSuite program and plugged in my audiogram. It seems that Philips is unsurprisingly employing a similar approach to Oticon with their RSHL programming. Without making any adjustments, the software recommends no more than 22 db for the low frequencies and at least 10 db on the highs. One oddity is that it recommends 10 db for all highs for both soft, normal and loud speech on the right ear for me. This is using the proprietary Fit4Speech rationale.
I’ve had the Phillips 9030 for 2 weeks in addition to my KS9’s. At first I thought the Phillips we’re going to be my final choice as the noise suppression is awesome. I’ve had them adjusted twice along with my KS9’s and but I quickly realized that the equalizer can only be fine tuned during streaming. This is the dealbreaker for me why I will be returning the Phillips this coming week. I also didn’t like how I could hear the noise suppress cut in and out with conversation it is really annoying to me.
I will also be fitted for the KS10’s at the same time and if they are as good or better than the KS9’s then they will be my final choice. I love their app and the fine tuning ability.
Another note is the KS9’s can directly bluetooth connect to my Samsung smart TVs and the Phillips cannot without the TV connector.
Hope the KS10s work out for you. I’m hoping the same for myself as well. That’s tough about the noise suppression kicking on and off.
Just this fact that the 9030 is very aggressive with noise suppression is a clear sign that it’s not from the same mold as the More which still continues with the open paradigm. In fact, some people even report hearing more sounds from the More compared to their OPN or OPN S.
This is an interesting point. It also got me thinking. In my experience with Costco both back in 2016 and current, Costco pushed me very hard onto a Demant hearing aid, first Bernafon and now Philips. In 2016, the fitter literally would not sell me anything other than Bernafon and this past weekend (at a completely different Costco), the fitter made a very hard pitch for the new Philips Hearlink 9030. I wonder if Costco is aware of the RSHL subroutine built into VAC+ and other Demant proprietary fitting rationales and figures this would be their best chance to please a RSHL patient. Although @Crickee was fitted with a KS9 previously so maybe this is specific to the Costco fitter.
I went for an adjustment yesterday and returned the Phillips, the fitter said she didn’t realize the equalizer was only available in the streaming program. I would possibly give these a try in the future if Phillips changes the app, but I didn’t want to wait it out since these are so new.
The fitter did listen to me and turned the overall volume down and she let the software fix some loud ness after she ran a feedback test. I also had her adjust the very high pitches a little lower. I also had her increase the mid tones, she was reluctant to add just a little more when I asked but she did. I can honestly say I had the best day at my school today in years without struggling to understand speech. Our open office has high ceilings and it’s been a constant issue then add in the masks just made it worse. I could actually understand the 3 soft spoken men who I have historically struggled with and didn’t have to ask anyone to repeat themselves!
It will be interesting to see how the KS10’s compare. I will let you know, I get those on Saturday.
2 Likes
Will be interesting to hear your comparison. I’m going to be trying the KS10s and the Philips in store within the next couple weeks so will be a nice to see the comparison considering our losses are both RSHL
Well, I guess I’ll be the second RSHL person to trial the new Philips Hearlink. I placed my order today. To be fair, the fitter didn’t put much effort into trying to make the KS10s sound good to me. I pick them up next Sunday and also ordered the Audioclip.
Is your OPN 1 still working? How does the KS10 compare to the OPN 1?
The OPN1 is still working fine. I’m at the 5 year mark with the OPNs so I’ve been looking to try something new. The fitter gave a half-hearted attempt to fit the KS10s for me. My gut tells me she likes the Phillips better for me because the software is similar to Oticon and allows her to do less fine-tuning where the KS10 basically needs major tuning to get it right for me and my RSHL. I’m okay with the Philips after some additional research. They have a higher frequency range (10k) compared to the KS10 and their Speech Clarifier seems to mitigate or avoid the upward spread of masking effect. I’m planning on self-programming these.
I didn’t think you could DIY on the Phillips? As in they are locked to Costco, if it’s not the case, do get us know how you get on.
1 Like
I’m hoping that’s not the case as the Philips Hearsuite software was readily available. While in the Costco hearing booth, it didn’t appear they were using a Costco version of the software. But I guess that doesn’t mean anything
I can confirm the Philips Hearlink 9030 R T sold at Costco are not locked. I picked mine up today and was able to easily connect them with the readily available HearSuite software and a Noahlink Wireless.
5 Likes
Great! I know I’ve said they are locked because I had heard that. I don’t remember where I’ve posted that. If anybody sees my posts and lets me know, I’m happy to edit and correct.
1 Like
That’s great to hear, as a DIY person myself. Looking forward to hear your impression of the 9030 compared to the OPN 1, especially since they’re cousins of the William Demant family. Your impression of the KS10 that you tried would peak my interest as well.
My OPN 1s have gone on 4.5 years now, so I may need to look for replacement fairly soon too.
1 Like
Again fantastic news, this now gives everyone into DIY another brand to consider, thanks for letting us know.
I haven’t posted an update recently. I ended up returning my Philips due the app only allowing fine tuning in the streaming program only. This was a dealbreaker for me. I have since purchased the KS10 and still have my KS9. I can confirm that the KS10 handles noise as good or better than the Philips. My fitter at Costco has tried to get the KS9 and KS10 programmed as closely as possible. She has done a wonderful job working with me. These two sets of HA’s are programmed the best I’ve experienced in over 16 years of wearing HA’s. I’m two weeks in with the KS10’s and I think they will be the winner. I do want to self program but waiting to get a good starting point.
3 Likes
Hi Abarsanti,
I see that you are in the US. I recently purchased a pair of Hearlink 9030s from Costco and I would like to try programming them myself. Can you recommend a trustworthy source for the Noahlink Wireless unit? How difficult is it to learn to program your own HAs? Are there forums where I can get advice on programming my own HAs?
Thanks for your contributions to the forum!
Hi @robsporny
I purchased my Noahlink wireless off Amazon for around $175. As @williamshetty linked above, the DIY forum is probably your best bet other than taking Audiology Online courses. I’ve self-programmed for 4-5 years using Oticon’s Genie2 which is very similar IMO to the Philips HearSuite software. I spent countless hours reading and researching before going the DIY route. I just really enjoy being able to make slight adjustments on the fly as I encounter different hearing scenarios.
2 Likes