Extreme similarity of Signia, Philips, Oticon and Miracle-Ear products

Hearing Aids
#1

Hi Folks, been deaf for my whole life and only last year (I am 23) finally got the ability to stream music wirelessly from my phone to hearing aids using Signia’s Streamline Mic. One day out of curiosity I decided to charge the SL Mic via my laptop’s usb ports. Windows recognised the device with the name “AudioClip”. This was different to the “Streamline Mic 1.1” that comes up if you connect via Bluetooth.

I searched up “AudioClip” only to find that these companies are sharing what looks like the same wireless streaming gadgets for Bluetooth and TV.
Signia’s Streamline Mic & Streamline TV, Philips AudioClip & TV Adapter, Oticon’s ConnectClip & TV Adapter and lastly Miracle-Ear’s Audio Clip & TV streamer. These names are exactly as shown from the sites, notice the similarity?

All of these devices have what looks like essentially the same outside shell & instruction manuals (even the lights used are the same!), but all the manufacturers listed in the manuals are listed as themselves that manufactured it.

I’m now wondering which company did it first and who bought it from who?

As a side note, does anyone have any photos of the insides, I’m wondering if it’s possible to hack this and add a 3.5mm audio jack. I have the Roger myLink that was used with the Roger Pen and I have found the contacts that I could solder an audio jack to it - though I doubt my soldering skills.

#2

It’s not a big surprise to see this if you’re familiar with the world of OEM (original equipment manufacturing) and/or ODM (original design manufacturing). Does it really matter who did it first and who bought it from whom? What matters more is who provides the best service and support with the best pricing if you deem the products to be all the same.

2 Likes
#3

Here’s the Oticon version: https://fccid.io/2ACAHAC01/Internal-Photos/Internal-Photos-3615010

Could these be hacked and made to work interchangeably or with firmware swaps? According to Philips HearLink 9030 observations (new Costco aid by Demant) - #6 by Abarsanti these various devices are blocked from being interchangeable.

#4

Looks like you did your research well and found the same report from @abarsanti that the ConnectClip from Oticon would not pair with his Philips 9030. So apparently care was put in place to make the same accessory device in one brand not work with hearing aids in another brand, even if this accessory device is physically the same device for both brands. This non cross-compatibility is probably all done by software.

I’ve never heard of anybody on this forum who have tried to hack a hearing aid mfg’s firmware for any reason. People only go as far as doing DIY self programming, and maybe replaced bad batteries from devices like the ConnectClip that is not supposed to be replaceable. It would probably be illegal to hack into the firmware and advertise it here, even if it can be done.

#5

Yeah it’s just not worth trying it, specialist equipment to flash firmware to Rom at the factory, but it can’t be changed afterwards.

#6

Has anyone determined that for certain? Aren’t these firmware upgradeable?

Whether it’s worth it is a different question.

No one seems to have tried making one product that works with all the devices. I’m not sure why that can’t be done.

#7

I’ve tried it many years ago, using Phonak to Unitron U-direct and compilot, swapping the files in software (he he I actually thought it would work!) and then trying to get the software to recognise/connect them.

#8

Just because one device was not hackable does not mean none are. Somewhere in the world people might be hacking these devices if they are hackable.

#9

What would be the incentive for someone to hack one device to be cross-compatible with another brand’s device? If it were a normal user who still has to pay for the product, why not buy the same-brand accessory products so they’re compatible to begin with, instead of buying a different brand product and hack them? Even if it’s not a single DIY people but for somebody who wants to make a business out of it, what do they gain by hacking these things?

What exactly are you trying to do in asking this question? What is your end game goal here?

Maybe for example, are you trying to hack Oticon hearing aids to work with the Phlips AudioClip (the Oticon ConnectClip equivalent) because the AudioClip may be cheaper than the ConnectClip or something?

It doesn’t really help to ask open-ended questions like this without any specifics because it leads to nowhere anyway.

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#10

There are many possible reasons: one brand of audioclip may cheaper than another, someone already has one and wants to use it with another brand of hearing aid, two unlock it and use it with multiple brands, to share it with a household member, just for the heck of it, to drive down prices, etc. It may or may not be a complicated task for a skilled hacker. There’s nothing wrong with asking what’s possible.

#11

Yes, agree that there’s nothing wrong with asking what’s possible, as long as the reasons are clear and specific with examples like you just presented above. It’s always better if we know what the end goal is here in the discussion. Thanks.

Usually hackable stuff requires inside knowledge, and sometimes inside access as well. Companies may tolerate hacks to some level and may choose to ignore some but not others. Usually inside knowledge of processes and tools that’s hard to keep a secret is more tolerable. But inside access, if spread out to the public, can become a security risk and gets no tolerance from companies, so usually these hacks are just not widely shared publicly like the DIY stuff is, even if they exist. I think the kind of hack you’re asking about would require inside access and not just common inside knowledge.

#12

Sounds like we know that Oticon Connect Clip doesn’t work with Phillips 9030. Anybody tried the inverse (Phillips device with Oticon hearing aids?) How about Signia devices with Rexton hearing aids and vice versa? How about the TV devices? The Phonak devices and devices for KS9 and KS10 seem interchangeable. If I had to guess, I’d guess the Signia and Rexton devices are interchangeable, but until somebody tries it out, it’s just conjecture. Possible motivations for doing this is it require less careful shopping when looking for an ancillary device.

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