First Timer - Going with Phonak Sphere

[Bimodal_user]

Thank you. I am considering buying LACE AI Pro from Dr. Cliff’s discount link because of its reportedly scientifically proven additional +6 dB SNR after training, which is massive, but it is quite expensive.

Regarding Resound, I did my research long ago and again after the Resound Vivia announcement, but I have found no benefit from their binaural offering (EDIT: this is in my case, YMMV. END OF EDIT).

Their solution is only binaural streaming, which is not useful in my case, as I want to isolate my HA ear as much as possible.

Cochlear and Resound are way behind AB and Phonak. For example, Sonova products have microphone coupling to enable narrower beamforming.

Other reasons:

1. my main hearing useful ear is still righ (HA) ear

2. Resound Vivia (even if coupled with a Nucleus sound processor) admittedly has AI, but it is very limited without a second Vivia on the other ear. This is simply because Resound AI still relies on binaural coupling and beamforming, which is more like AI-trained AutoSense in Phonak.

DNN in Phonak Sphere is useful even in one-microphone HAs; however, they managed to get additional benefits from two-microphone input, e.g. when you don’t want to hear omnidirectionally with DNN, as @jim_lewis mentioned in another topic.

3. Sphere offers me verified, probably much better denoising than Resound and much better real-world battery life

4. I have Roger On V1 and Roger Select

5. I am really interested in titanium long earmolds with no or pressure vent. Similar to @AudioBlip 's apart he has larger vents:

Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio (I90) Review

I just tried to see if the titanium cShells (lumity life) can fit in the new Sphere case, and at least mine do. I’m sure the experience may be a little different for others with larger molds. [spheregocase]

Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio (I90) Review

My cShells have 3.1-4.5mm vents and it has the M Receiver / AV. I’m not entirely sure if they are AOV, but if I had to guess, I’d say yes they are? The cShells are awesome because there’s no itch (as @wkroeger mentioned), they’re durable, and I get better audio experience with them. The rough surface and because of how deep the mold are where it continues past the first bend, allow the receivers to stay in my ears and have better grip. For the new Sphere RICs, I will have to get new titanium c…

6. Regarding earmolds, I also want the receiver output as close to the eardrum as possible. This is more feasible with titanium (due to thinner earmold walls) and the possibility of using a Phonak EasyView Otoblock.

fsn_easyview_otoblock.pdf (322.3 KB)

poster_otoblock_crowhen.pdf

7. I realized that the race to make RIC hearing aids as small as possible is annoying and uncomfortable for my larger ears especially when comes to battery size. I have also a problem using the rocker switch button on my recent Phonak Paradise because it wobbles medially and laterally. And yes, I also have thin-framed glasses.
   I hope that the larger housing of the Sphere will be more comfortable.

8. I have an Android phone, and Phonak is more well-tried in that case than Resound. Bluetooth Classic is also a big convenience.

[AidenL]

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate the detailed reply.

I’ll try a few tweaks, see if it helps me.

[oticon_intent_user]

I never heard about it. I have only one ear hearing loss, so I purchased the Intent 2 hearing aid.
Regrettably, in my country, the Sphere L70 hearing aid is not yet available for purchase. However, the Sphere L90 is available, but it is significantly more expensive.

[Bimodal_user]

@Bimodal_user

Not really. I am asymmetrical and Sphere is the only HA that can use unilateral AI.
Oticon Intents, Starkey Edge AI and Resound Vivia seem to require binaural fitting to achieve the full potential of their DNNs. For me Phonak Sphere it’s probably the only option.

@tenkan

Really I didn’t know that, do you use it with your CI for other stuff, streaming etc

Yes, that information is firmly hidden; I don’t know why Phonak didn’t enunciate it more clearly.

I know about it from this video (specifically ~6:10):

Phonak Sphere Infinio Hearing Aid Launch

I think something was also in phonak.com/evisence webpages.

[Bimodal_user]

@tenkan

do you use it with your CI for other stuff, streaming etc

If I use Bluetooth ASHA, so use Nucleus SmartApp to streaming, I can stream only to my Nucleus 8 sound processor.

However, if I use intermediary device with my N8 (Cochlear Wireless Phone Clip, it’s rebranded Resound product) I can stream it simultaneously with streaming to my Phonak Paradise/Sphere.
However, I perceive noticeable lag in my CI side probably due to longer route.

I only checked this today, which is why I wrote back late.

[tenkan]

Thanks for sharing, very interesting.

[Bimodal_user]

I’m waiting for the N8 and Sphere to update to Bluetooth LE; perhaps then the lag will be equal.

My phone also has Auracast broadcasting support.