Hello
Does anyone know which of the below Naida M SP models does Costco’s Phonak Brio 4 closely match?
Thanks
M90 (Premium)
M70 (Advanced)
M50 (Standard)
M30 (Essential)
To answer your question the Brio 4 with size13 battery is very close to the equivalent of the Phonak Naida M90 aids.
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Thank you, Rick!! I greatly appreciate the detailed response.
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FWIW, I ordered a pair of Brio 4’s a few days ago. During my chat at Costco, The Audiologist called her liaison with Phonak and asked the rep about the Brio 4 compared to the KS 9.0. She asked the rep, “Same chip, same platform as the KS 9.0?” and got a reply in the affirmative from the Phonak rep.
So, if the KS 9.0 is based on the Audeo series, would it not follow that the Brio would be as well, based on the Phonak rep’s reply?
Edit, deleted my original post because I aimed my replay the wrong person. My apologies.
No it doesn’t. It implies it’s based on the Marvel Chip. Audeo implies RIC. Naida generally implies BTE. Either can use Marvel Chip.
Thank you. Looking around that seems to be the major difference between the two.
This is true to my knowledge.
The Brio 4 aids should really be a nice set of aids for the severe to profound hearing losses. Not too big like 675 battery aids are. Much more comfortable behind the ears. If your loss allows it, power slimtubes can be used on them rather than the standard size 13 sound tubes.
Good luck.
Let us know what you think.
Thanks. I will chime in when I pick them up. I got the 13 model, audiologist said the regular tubes would be better for me. I’m the “ski slope” type of loss, esp in the left ear. I go from moderate to profound on the very highest end of the spectrum in that ear.
I’m fine with the regular size tubes. I’m 41, so I’m not as worried about visibility as I was when I was younger.
Don’t forget there’s also bolero, that’s regular bte, whilst naida is strong bte. I thought that brio == bolero.
Yep that’s what I always thought as well, in fact I’m pretty sure it is.
Take a look at Phonakpro. The Bolero M only comes in size 312 battery.
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I think the lesser power ones are Boleros, but the Super Power ones are likely Naidas.
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Yes, I believe MDB has it.
Since you got the Brio 4 model, how is your hearing performance? Can you tell us a bit about the pros and cons, audio quality, Bluetooth connectivity, etc? I am looking forward to trying it as well.
Sorry for the late reply. Yeah, sooo much better than the Preza’s I trialed. I know everyone’s hearing is different, and some models work better for various reasons, but these are just about perfect for me. Speech clarity is much better than the Resounds I trialed. I hear my wife though her heavy accent MUCH better. Love the truly hands free calling with my Androids. My family, friends and co-workers say that I sound much better over the phone, and it’s great not to have a third party piece to gear to have to fiddle with and keep charged. Only thing I haven’t been able to test is the crowd/restaurant one since we can’t do indoor dining right now. Very interested in how that works.
Every now and then, the Autosense (or whatever Costco calls it) fades in a background noise, but it’s usually just a second or two, and few and far between. I would argue that the Resound app is superior to the Phonak one (can’t beat firmware updates over your phone), but love the freedom to switch between phones and tablets. Music sounds amazing on it. I’ve been listening to Tool’s Fear Innoculum a couple times since I got these, as it sounds way better with the new aids. Edit: this model doesn’t yet have Phonak’s multiple device connection capability like the KS9.0’s. The audiologist figures it’ll come in a few months in a firmware update. She figures that they want to lag some features like that to motivate people to get the real thing as opposed to the Costco version. 
If you can, get the TV streamer. I put it on my TV at home, and there’s great sound, respectable bass, and no lag that I can detect.
Incredibly happy with these. Just FYI, they’re the size 13, BTE, regular tubes. I’m 40, so I don’t care if the tubes are visible. Younger folks might feel self conscious about them.
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Amazing review. I want to get size 13 with regular tubes as well and don’t care much about how I look with them.
Can you tell me how Phonak updates the firmware of the Brio 4 hearing aids? Does it happen automatically via phone or one has to go to Costco to get that done? I am not too worried about being connected to multiple devices at one time right now. I am fine with being connected to one device at a time.
Secondly, I want to ask if these hearing aids will connect to Macbook via Bluetooth automatically or do I need a TV streamer type of device for that?
Thirdly, what is Autosense? Is this the feature which tries to understand where the listener is and then amplifies their voice?
Anyone with up to date Target software can update the Brio 4 aids.
They should pair and stream with your MacBook. If all else fails a Bluetooth dongle might be needed.
AutoSense is a contoller that automatically changes programs based on the environment.
Hey Raudrive, thanks so much. Where can I buy/download this Target software from? How will I connect Target with Phonak hearing aids wirelessly? Do I need some device for that or does it happen over bluetooth?
I will make sure to get bluetooth dongle from Costco and also TV streamer just to be safe.
Autosense feels like an awful idea to me. I want to change modes myself based on environment rather than leave it automatic because I am sure it will mismatch a lot of times and will give me less control. I feel with experienced users, having full control ourselves gives us more peace of mind.
We have a DIY forum. Look for a thread by Dusty How to Find Fitting Software.
The TV streamer is called a TV Connector.
AutoSense is pretty slick when set up right. You shouldn’t even notice it changing programs. Each of them is adjustable and AutoSense is adjustable how fast or sensitive it reacts.
Fantastic! You have been super helpful and I’ve learned a ton. Thanks brother! Just ordered NoahLink Wireless device from eBay. Once I receive it, I will then ask for the latest Target 6.1 software in that DIY thread.
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