Dear Phonak, your Lumity battery isn't good enough

Same here, at my last Audi visit, I showed her the custom program that I created, had her adjust the voice in noise program and then made that one the default startup, had no issues since, the Autosence 4.0 is quirky at best and started to act up a bit, one day I may have her send these in to reprogram the Autosence as she thinks it may be the cause of it’s erratic behavior. As for tap control, try it in -20C temp outside walking the dog with a large furry hat on (me not the dog)… I asked the moderator if it had been tested, and No.
If I do get a call on my phone (something that rarely happens) then I push one of the tabs once, but still have to take the mits off. No big deal, just no worth it, and then that feature was not available with disposable’s. I don’t miss all that, one thing for sure is my hearing now is great with the Ha’s on, without, well just look at the audio-gram, my tinnitus takes over.

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My new Oticon Xceed aids have exceptional battery life. So much so, that even after three days of at least 8 hours a day streaming (I work from home and do a lot of streaming of music/audio while I work), and my (normal disposable, thank God) batteries don’t run out even after three days. But, I got so used to my sucky Phonak battery life that I still change them out after 3 days. That’s just me. I need to get used to pushing beyond that 3 days and see how much longer I can get away with the battery life on these exceptional hearing aids.

Oh yes: I absolutely still love my new aids. I give Oticon a full 5 stars compared to Phonak. I would give Phonak 2 stars (and that’s being generous) for the issues I have experienced with their aids over the past 5 years. Quick update: Because of the exceptional skill of my new non-Phonak-beholden audiologist, it has now been three months since my last ENT visit. I haven’t been able to go three months without seeing my ENT since before 2019. Oticon has been a game changer for me in many areas.

My old audiologist kept rebutting me saying “Oh it couldn’t be the ear mold.” Guess what, old, Phonak-beholden audiologist? It’s the freaking ear mold that was causing all of my issues.

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Amen. Amen. Amen. And because the reply needs to be at least 20 characters, Amen.

AUGH!!! While I can’t say that I get in to see my audi every 3 mos, I’ve already been in to see her, well, let’s see… about EVERY 3 MOS since last fall. I’ve gone in about the Rogers, then to tweak MPO vs gain, now 2 sets of Phonak Lumity Life aids needing to go in the shop (one is there, the other will go when I get my first pair back).

You’ve given me something to DREAM about. I totally get that certain audis are pro-brand. It may have to do with their experience or training. I’ve been happy in the Phonak camp mainly due to the BT stability and quality of sound. I haven’t tried Oticons since maybe 2016? But the “open sound” paradigm seemed too much for my ol’ gray cells to make sense of. Even so, I’d love either a rechargeable aid that gives me a solid 24 HOURS of use or a size 13-battery version of new aid.

Not seeing that coming from Phonak yet.

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Go ahead and try them, rather than being overly influenced by what you read on this forum. Not that Oticon presently has a RIC that conforms 100% to your battery desires. But who knows what’s coming, now that Phonak gave in on a disposable-battery Lumity.

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@kevels55

I find your post really interesting. We have a couple of those in our neighbourhood but haven’t had a chance to talk to the drivers.

I find the talk about electric cars focuses on range, and quality of recharging stations. It’s interesting that the hydrogen fueled options are still being discussed, as the infrastructure is so far behind Tesla and other makers recharging infrastructure.
Years ago I had a diesel car. Travelling to far north in Ontario required planning. Specially when I worked til after 11:00 pm Christmas Eve, then started my long long drive.

I’ve signed on the Tesla Club forum to see how thngs are in their world.

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Germany is advanced in the hydrogen fuel services:

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Aye Dave, it’s an interesting subject… I believe we are on the cusp of seeing the demise of the automobile industry, as we know it… interestingly enough, this might prove a godsend to hearing aid manufacturers rechargeable batteries… Nissan are developing a Lithium Ion Solid State Battery (See link below) they reckon, once developed, 10 minutes to charge, and 1200 miles, on a single charge, these solid state batteries are much denser, and will hold up to 4 times the charge? So maybe this is the direction the hearing industry may take? Cheers Kev :grin:

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Have you ever tried to contact Phonak directly? It’s impossible, as they only want to hear from the hearing aid providers. This assures that all the end user feedback comes in 2nd hand which really sucks, because the end user probably knows more about a product than the manufacturer.

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Thus proving my coworker’s saying.

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I have said before, and say again, that I believe Phonak has by far the best customer service in the industry, But they cannot, and should not, be expected to have to deal with some of the nutty and angry who come here just to rant. Anyone with worthwhile feedback can, and should, submit it via their website. If you need assistance, see your audiologist…

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Hello @Baltazard . I am happy to share information when the information is public, such as content from user guide or technical facts. But the online time here is limited and I will just sporadically see issues. Hope for your understanding.
Michael

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just to set expectations right, many many questions I cannot answer, especially those concerning insider topics. Phonak has many online resources, help points, etc., where usually the questions should be answered.

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My audiologist tells me that the rechargeable battery on the Audeo Lumity 90 lasts longer on a single charge than the battery on the Slim L90. Is this true?

Do you know if Phonak has plans for a new generation to upgrade from the Lumity any time soon? I’d hate to buy now, only to find that the technology I just purchased was outdated in 6 months.

Thanks in advance.

I have no idea, but it is worth noting that the Audeo V was introduced in 2014, the Audeo B in 2016, the Audeo Marvel in 2018, the Audeo Paradise in 2020 and the Audeo Lumity in 2022. So for the last 10 years at least, there has been a new Audeo model every two years. Who knows what is in store for 2024, maybe nothing :slight_smile:

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Yes you can plan for your normal day. However what happens if you forget your charger or don’t have your charger with you? What happens if something comes up where you don’t have access to your charger?
Look I get that you find the charger convenient and it works for your lifestyle. At this time they don’t work for my lifestyle. And I’m tired of audiologists, who don’t have to live with hearing aids, trying to push them on me.
People who are new to hearing aids, don’t even know that there are battery hearing aids.

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Update, Phonak no longer sells battery hearing aids. So I had to get Hear USAs Widex. This is a hearing aid sold by the company, but I was surprised to find out most audiologists in my area don’t know or want to know how to use the program. We are really at the mercy of the hearing aid specialists. At least my audiologist was willing to learn.
I just received my second pair, because the first pair of aids had so many problems. Naturally they sent the wrong color, but after over a year of waiting, I just don’t care. I hope these ones work as well as my Oticon.

That’s why I’ve gone down the self programming route. There’s a 312 battery option for Audeo Lumity now.

Peter

This is not true. @1Bluejay just got Lumity with disposable batteries.

WH

That sounds interesting. I would love to learn more.