Hearing aid newbie thanks, Phonak questions

Hearing Aids
#7

@prodigyplace @MDB @DeafAntifa @japple @jim_lewis thank you very much for responding :smile:

I understand ‘working with the audi’ would be very desirable!

Sadly it’s not effective in my case. Their interest evaporated after I paid for the HAs, They disregard my actual listening experiences and keep on saying my HAs are adjusted fine and I must “just get used to them”.

Well… I’m used to wearing them, yes, but no, I’m not “used to” spending thousands of dollars for negligible improvement in hearing :roll_eyes:

I am sure my HAs are not working well for me (yet!) so I;m trying to find out what I can improve by adjustments available in the myPhonak app.

I’m grateful for details from @jim_lewis and I’ll try to use some of them, just need to figure out which Phonak settings correspond to the ones Jim mentioned for ReSound.

These are my first HAs and I don’ think they were set to ‘experienced user’.

#8

When the fitting is first created in Target software, the audi (HCP) has the option of setting the experience level of the user. The default setting appears to be "first-time user (0-3 months). More advanced settings are available from a dropdown (see picture):

image

If the audi has already created an entry for you in the Target database, there are probably ways to create a new fitting for you, set the experience level differently, and import all your other data from another entry of “you” (and recalculate your fit to the greater experience level).

Here’s a post on the forum from many moons ago - 2016!!! - (and a much older version of Target software) on what the user experience setting does. It mentions a linear vs. a non-linear fit, too. If there’s that option in current Target software as well, maybe a DIY Phonak user can comment on whether that settings option is still available and where an HCP can find it. Both user experience and linear vs. non-linear are available for current ReSound HA’s. ReSound said in its literature several years ago that the linear option was just a vestige left in the fitting software to accommodate “old-timers” coming from analog hearing aids!, IIRC :grinning:

Personalizing Patient Fittings – The Official ReSound Blog (gnresoundblog.com) (says experienced non-linear ultimately best for speech recognition, but the user needs to acclimate, etc.)

#9

If there is a refund period return them NOW and go elsewhere. Going to Costco would give you a less expensive option, likely with a better experience. At least with Costco you have the option of going to a different location. That is why I used Costco for 10 years. I am now trying a more expensive, experienced provider.

1 Like
#10

This. The audiologist is absolutely key to your success with any hearing aid brand. Unfortunately it sounds like yours is either unable or unwilling to help you. Is there another audiologist in the practice?

#11

Unfortunately I’m already way past the (short) return period so I have to do the best I can with these HAs.

Currently learning a lot from reading older posts in this forum and I’m kicking myself for not finding this forum before I stepped on the HA train!

#12

I’m in Australia and I live far from the bigger cities. Very limited choice of audis within driving distance. Not sure I’d get better help from going to a different audi. Will be expensive because I didn’t buy the aids from them.

#13

Maybe try the DIY route?

2 Likes
#14

Good question. I was having a bad experience with an audiologist who would not listen to me because she knew better as the expert. I asked the manager there for a different professional and was refused. Those aids got returned and I went elsewhere.

1 Like
#15

That is difficult. DIY may be the best option if you are comfortable with the computer.

#16

Thank you @jim_lewis for all that detail which will be very helpful If I go the DIY route later on. I’m not ready for Target etc, still at ‘baby-steps’ stage with the app adjustments!

#17

So then, do you experience more benefit when you just turn them up?

#18

Thanks and yes, I might perhaps try DIY but I need to read more about it first. I’m happy to DIY in lots of other areas. With HAs though, I need to hold off trying to run up mountains until I learn to walk :laughing:

#19

No benefit simply sliding the volume up, just unpleasant.

To my (oversimplified?) logic, I need to boost the higher frequencies because that’s where my natural hearing has diminished.

Follow through on that thought, I’ve just found the ‘equaliser’ adjustment in myPhonak, feeling a bit more optimistic I might get some benefit that way.

1 Like
#20

Unpleasant in what way?

#21

Your hearing loss is flat. Have you lost more hearing in the highs?

#22

Sorry Zebras if I didn’t describe it accurately. My audiogram indicates ‘mild’ loss at low frequencies (25dB at 250-500Hz) sloping gradually to ‘moderate’ loss at high frequencies (40-45dB at 8000Hz). So yes I’ve lost more high frequency hearing than low frequency. Is that an okay way to explain it?

#23

Sounds that are too loud (subjective judgement) have always been unpleasant for me. Isn’t it the same for most people? Of course with individual differences in what sound level is “okay” vs “too loud”.

I’m wondering what other answers you might have expected?

#24

I understand now. :slight_smile:

I don’t find sounds too loud, surprisingly. Even when I’m in high levels of noise. I wonder if it’s down to my MPO settings? Although I think I’m at Max? I never touch my volume control.

#25

Newbie question: what are MPO settings please?

#26

I mean, it’s tough to know sometimes how loud things should sound after living with hearing loss for a while. Often with new hearing aids it’s normal for things to sound too loud and sharp for a while, and then over time your brain re-adjusts and things stop sounding too loud but you have more audibility. Even though things are loud, does turning the hearing aids up help you to hear speech more clearly?

Different question: Does plugging your ears with your fingers improve the sound for you?