I got BTEs in 1976 - as a 6 y/o
Here is how I rate my top three hearing aids
Pure hearing
1st - Phonak Marvel
2nd - Resound quattro
3rd - Oticon OPN
Accessory Line
1st - Resound Quattro
2nd - Phonak Marvel
3rd - Oticon OPN
Economic Value for the money
1st Resound Quattro
2nd Oticon OPN
3rd Phonak Marvel.
These spacings are REALLY tight…all three are wonderful devices. I have personally tried all three.
For my situation, Resound was the answer. What tipped it was their accessory line.
let me explain.
Lets talk about phones first
Phonak Marvel uses bluetooth classic. It also uses the hearing aid microphones as the phone microphones.
Resound Quattro is a Made For Iphone / MFI device that also works with some newer Android phones. This uses Bluetooth Low Energy. All MFI phones use the phone’s microphone as the microphone.
Marvel advantages - Phone can be put away.Works directly with most phones made in the past decade.
Marvel issues - Noise is hard for the hearing aid mics to handle on calls…the people on the other end have issues hearing you in noisy environments. Battery life can be an issue - especially for heavy streamers since bluetooth classic takes a lot of power to run.
Quattro advantages - connects via MFi/BLE - battery life is much better relative to Marvel. Phone microphone pics up voice and rejects noise better for those on the other end.
Other Nugget…for those that do not have phones that connect directly to Quattro, there is the Phone Clip. This DOES have it’s own microphone so the phone CAN be placed out of the way. As a bonus - the phone clip can be used with most any bluetooth source. I use it with my 2 way radio at work. I have two and stream 12 straight hours.
Battery Life at 12 hours streaming - Marvel RIC/RITE - 13 hours. Two not streaming, 11 streaming. Marvel BTE - 15 hours - 3 not streaming 12 streaming. Quattro RIC/RITE - 20 hours+ with 12 streaming. Quattro BTE - is not a rechargeable. I have just started using it, so I will have to let you know how long a size 13 battery lasts.
HAND HELD REMOTE CONTROLS
Winner: Quattro - no comparison. Quattro’s remote has a display. Lets one change programs, mute microphones, move balance, control mic and stream volumes separately. Phonak’s remote for Marvel allows volume change of mics when not streaming, stream to mic balance when streaming, program changes. No visual feedback. Some like the more spartan arrangement of the Marvel remote. Resound has a new remote for quattro that is also simple. So resound has two different remotes to choose from.
Phone App
Matter of taste. I prefer Resound’s app. Their methodology is more natural to me. Their app allows for custom programs… NOTE!!! These custom programs are stored on the phone and not the hearing aid. The phone must be connected to have these be available. Audiologist programs are stored in the hearing aid and thus ALWAYS available.
Pure Hearing Performance
Very close - Phonak wins by a nose. Slightly more natural sounding to me. This is a razor thin margin between Phonak and Resound. Oticon’s paradigm is different and hard to compare. For those for whom it works, it really works. For those that it doesn’t…the Resound and Phonak aids are usually distinctly better.
Reliability
Generally a BTE is most reliable followed by a RIC/RITE followed by a ITE/CIC
I have peripheral neuropathy.
So the tiny pull tabs on the RIC/RITE units are a challenge. I would inadvertently grab the receiver wire. I had numerous receivers break with the face plates detaching at the weld line for the Resound units. Phonak - I had Titanium cased receivers. I popped the clip/insert that holds the wires.
I work in a steel mill
HARSH conditions
So receivers simply would fail
Wore a BTE for three years in the Mill with no issues. So have gone back to BTE.
Comfort
All about the same…except…
If you go Phonak Marvel RIC/RITE - DO get titanium receivers. They are sooooo comfortable. I want titanium ear molds for my BTE aids. Sooner or later, someone’s going to make them, and I WILL buy them.
Resound also has an accessory for Quattro called the Multi-Mic.
That little device is pretty amazing.
It has telecoil loop ability
It has 3.5mm input ability
It has remote microphone ability
It has a DAI/Europin receptacle that will accept a Roger X receiver…this is a BIG deal.
ROGER
Phonak makes a line of proprietary FM accessories. This line has a reputation above reproach …and for good reason. With Multi-Mic - and a single Roger X Type 02 or type 03 receiver, the Roger system is available to you on Resound hearing aids.
With Phonaks OWN Marvel - It is complicated, but basically requires a receiver per aid… the aid has the receiver built in, but it must be enabled.
There are two ways to enable the built in receiver in marvel aids…1 - buy a Roger…‘IN’ device. These have two licenses built into the transmitter that enable the receivers in the aids as soon as the pairing is done. 2 - buy two individual Roger X 02 or 03 receivers that are newer than a certain serial number. Basically the newer serial number X receivers have the ability to hold a code to activate the Marvel built in Roger receivers via an interface used by the audiologist. That interface moves the activate code between the x receiver and the Roger receiver built into the hearing aid. If you want type 02 Roger…You will have to buy two individual Roger X(02) Receivers and have the code moved over. The Roger IN sets are Type (03) only.
Roger Type 02 versus Type 03. Type 02 works with ALL Roger Transmitters. Roger Type 03 works only with ‘Adult’ transmitters. The educational line transmitters, which are type 02, allow for even more versatility. I always go type 02 receiver.
As far as Vanity, consider this…
Everyone walks around with earbuds, Airpods, …whatever hanging out the ear…No one cares.
Mine are a dark beautiful red. All the better to see it if I drop it or it pops out of my ear. Mine are BTE - Most reliable overall. Mine are Resound Quattro…I have access to a wonderful native line of accessories PLUS Phonak’s Roger accessories.
One more thing… If you get aids and stream and have no bass at all…you have too much venting. Rule of thumb…the least venting you can get by with… Vents let ambient sound directly in so you don’t feel like you are stuffed down in a hole when you talk. The problem is that low frequencies escape right out of those vents. So as little venting as you can tolerate.
I have thrown a LOT at you. I have worn BTE, RIC/RITE, ITE, ITC aids. I have worn hearing aids for over 40 years. Ask me whatever you want to know about this topic…same for lots of others on here.
In an audiologist
- Must listen to you
- Use REAL EAR MEASUREMENT
- Be willing to spend considerable time to get things right for you.
- You need to like them.