Every self programming newbie wants to get a wireless programmer to program their hearing aids/HAs. Let’s poke at that…
PROS and CONS for Hi-Pro Fitting:
Pro = Hi-Pro Fitting is the industry standard. It fits almost all model HAs except a few models (which are too small for a cable connection or have rechargeable batteries and no cable connection).
Con = Hi-Pro Fitting uses programming cables and maybe (flex strips, boots, or pills) to connect to HAs. These can be difficult to understand what is needed, and difficult and expensive to obtain.
Con = Wearing your hearing aids during fitting with cables/flex strips hanging from your ears is cumbersome.
PROS and CONS for Wireless Fitting:
Pro = Wireless Fitting eliminates the need to use programming cables/(flex strips, boots, or pills) to connect to HAs.
Pro = Wireless fittings makes it easy to wear your hearing aids in order to monitor tweaks to during fitting.
Con = Wireless programmers are expensive.
Con = Wireless Fitting is manufacturer specific. After your initial investment in a wireless programmer you will be limited to programming one specific manufacturer’s HAs. For example, iCube/icubeII will only work for Phonak/Unitron.
Con = A Wireless Fitting gadget will become obsolete. For example iCube has been replaced with the iCube II beginning with the Phonak Venture model. The iCube II was seemingly designed to be >>backwards compatible<< for communicating with HAs supported by iCube. However, that feature is >>not working very well<< so if you must use a wireless gadget then stick with the wireless gadget designed specifically for your HA series.
Con = Wireless Fitting can lock-up your HAs upon encountering a wireless programming communications failure or power failure. iCube cannot unlock HAs that have locked-up. You will need a Hi-Pro and cable connection for that. icubeII along with fitting software has a reset for locked HAs.
Con = Wireless Fitting may not perform all programming functions for example applying firmware updates to your HAs. If you were to suffer a wireless programming communications failure or power failure during firmware updates then your HAs may no longer function for wireless fitting.
Back to the Future:
A >>Noahlink Wireless<< device for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) enabled hearing instruments is >>under development<<.