#5

I am similar loss and use Naida P90 BTE. It has been over a decade since RIC with power receivers. I got tired of replacing receivers and removing wax filters. I think I hear better with BTE and use assisted devices like Roger for noisy restaurants.

I can’t speak for Oticon or Resound BTE.

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#6

Yeah @Zebras… Twas a pain in the proverbial! I don’t think I got these RIC’s with custom moulds to last more than 10 months, without the Marvel 90’s, blowing a receiver? So much so, I had a set of 105db RIC’s & moulds made up, on stand by for this eventuality… I don’t wear the Marvel RIC’s very often nowadays, but they are without a shadow of doubt, the most comfortable aids, I have ever used! I do wear them occasionally when 1 of my ears flare up, with an infection or a sore (or I just fancy a change) I usually keep them in for a week or so till things die down… Then we are good to go, with my Naida Lumity’s… Cheers Kev :wink:

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#7

I also used Phonak aids, BTE and RIC types.
Your left ear at 3000 and up is a big loss for sure. Can you actually hear tones in those frequencies? Not scratches or clicks etc.

Pending on how you answer the above question I think RIC aids would be worth a try just to see how they do. As others have mentioned the wax guards are a pain. If you sweat a lot the BTE aids are superior to RIC aids IMO. I also agree to BTE aids durability and they are just easier to own and take care of.

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#8

Thanks all. I went to my audiologist today and tried out a new programming on my Lumity Naida SPs and also tried out the Oticon Intent.

  • @glucas They are Lumity Naida SP. It was originally set to Adaptive Digital. I tried NAL-NL2 in the office, but couldn’t stand the sound. I’m trying Adaptive Digital Contrast this week, which Phonak said works well with my loss.

  • I tried Oticon Intent in the office with power domes. Granted, it was just a 5 minute trial without custom molds but it sounded muffled. If I wanted to truly try the Oticon Intent, I would need to get nonrefundable custom molds. I’m not sure if it’s worth it.

  • @Raudrive, I do struggle sometimes with the s, th, r sounds, but I do hear/understand them. The Phonak SoundRecover helps, although they occasionally come off as harsh sounding.

  • Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think there’s a power BTE option that isn’t the Oticon Xceed which is old technology. My audiologist isn’t as familiar with Resound, so I would have to find another audiologist if I wanted to go that route.

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#9

Have you ever took an aid off and just listened with one aid for a few hours? Then write down what is good and bad about that.
Then try the same thing with the other ear. Write down the good and bad.
You might be very surprised at the outcome. Fine tuning for each ear can do really good things for speech understanding. It’s time consuming but is worth it.

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#10

Thanks.
A little bit of frequency lowering might help this, just the left ear. When the S’s slur you have gone too far. This will take some time to adjust to.

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#11

I’m also very interested in this topic for a completely different reason. I am tempted to learn to ride a motorbike but I know my BTE aid would whistle incessently under a helmet. An ultra power RIC would be amazing to find…

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#12

@finovox

I might of remembered wrongly but I believe @cvkemp has a motorbike and wears RIC HAs.

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#13

Personally, I can’t understand why RIC or BTE would make any difference regarding feedback with a helmet on.

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#14

It’s a while since I could wear RIC and they were considerably less prone to feedback but you are correct I should not assume that my current gain requirements which have increased since then would be less prone.

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#15

I have a Vespa scooter, GTS300, I ride it with my hearing aids on an in the default program and default volume.

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#16

I currently have both BTE & RIC aids with profound loss. The VA would only supply me with powerful Oticon OPN-S1 BTE’s. I also purchased KS9 RIC from Costco. The BTE provide me with the best possible hearing for conversation and active listening. The RIC sacrifice clarity for cosmetic, comfort, and active wear. It depends on what your needs are. If you can only have one, the BTE provide the best possible aid to hearing loss.

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#17

Hi Ed, I am just like you. More1 RIC for cosmetic. P70 & Xceed 1 BTE for active listening.

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#18

Go for RIC of course, especially due to the fact that if you need you’ll get software and possibly hardwear upgrades, while w/ your BTE this is not going to happen.

#19

This information is incorrect. RIC aids do have the advantage of changing receivers but that’s all. BTE aids have advantages in other ways as mentioned earlier.

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#20

Not true, modern BTE aids also have firmware updates.

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#21

Switch to RIC HA model, since you may have more hard-wear and software upgrade choices. Not surprisingly the most popular design of HA today.

#22

Iwhen I first was told I was getting Rit aids, I was upset, I was use to ITE aids. But I have to say I really like the receivers in the ears with custom ear molds. I don’t even notice the part of the aids that are behind my ears.

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#23

Yes, had BTE hearing aids for many years including Oticon Opn PP before getting Oticon Real and now Oticon Intent since April. Wear custom moulds with 105dB receivers and never heard so well :blush:

#24

Perhaps the Hearing Aid gods are trying to tell you not to tempt fate by riding a motorbike. Likewise, don’t start skateboarding after you’ve reached 60 years old…aging gracefully is far preferable to dying prematurely…

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