Issues with Phonak iCom (long)

[barnacle_bill]

Most comments seem to cover the points raised, but one solution with the TV would be to use a scart cable connection if the tv has a scart facility. My Icoms both came with a selection of leads including Scart and 3.5mm jackplugs. I use a Scart downstairs but use the Jackplug in my office so as not to disturb any one.

You can also charge the Icom whilst using it, I do in the car or at home. Just buy any small USB type charger and it can be used to charge’n listen!! I bought two Icoms so they would last all day in the car but subsequently found you can plug them in via the auxillary charger point and a suitable lead whilst driving. I do not know if the batteries are effected by ‘memory charging’ so I always use them until they bleep at me that the battery is low.

I also struggled to hear what was being said in noisy enviroments when using the Icom so my Audio turned the microphone down quite a lot. I hear much better but my good lady recons I tend to talk extremely loadly when I use them on the phone. The moral being that sometimes you just cannot win!

[kgm]

Seb, the TV connector cable that came with my iCom had a red plug and a white plug at the end that plugs into the TV’s audio jacks. They are plugged in correctly. Another annoying thing about the iCom is that it doesn’t hold a charge worth a darn - two hours max. It doesn’t matter if I’m actually using it. If it is turned on, the battery lasts only 2 hours. I read of people leaving the thing on all day so that the iCom will immediately activate when a call comes in from their cell phone. Did I get a lemon?

I use mine for 9 hrs, as I work and I am connected to my Bluetooth home phone and cell all day, a 45min quick charge at noon, and then 3 hrs at 6.00pm, then I can TV link from 9 to 12pm no problem, so it seems for sure that you may have a dud.

[tbyrd2010]

I have the Audeo Smart 5’s and my Audiologist can turn of the mics while in bluetooth. There is a setting for this. This makes all the difference for me!!!

[elijahlovejoy]

First, I don’t believe that the Naida’s are not compatible with an FM. Phonak is a HUGE proponent of assistive devices and their FM system is used pretty extensively so for Phonak to make their product, designed for people with severe hearing loss, incompatible with an FM system doesn’t make any sense at all.

The iCom should be able to be coupled with the TV and other devices without shutting off the mics of those devices. The only way I can think of that it would deactivate the external speakers is if you are plugging the iCom in using an external headphone jack - this means there would be a cord connecting the actual iCom to the device. If it’s coupled correctly, people in the room should be able to hear sound coming from the TV or whatever you are paired to normally.

When using an iCom, there is a setting where you can set the balance of the mic and iCom input. You can set it so that you can hear only the iCom or the iCom and sound through the HA mics. Now, I don’t do many iComs so I haven’t had to change those settings often but I’m 99% certain this can be adjusted so that it’s similar to FM+mic.

I have heard that people on the receiving end of the phone calls when using an iCom do have a hard time hearing the speaker. Phonak does have a remote lapel-mic that can be clipped closer to your mouth so that it’s easier for people you are calling to hear your voice…this might be something to consider.

I’ve heard others complain about the lag time with the iCom signal and I’m not sure how to fix that…sorry.

The beeping that comes on when the iCom shuts on/off can also be changed and/or turned off.

Hope that helps a little bit!

doc audio, thanks for another VERY helpful post.

You add a lot to this forum.

and many of us (I’ll bet) appreciate it.

[tenkan]

But the thing is you don’t need to buy the FM shoes to fit your aids when using the icom,because when you plug the FM receiver(mlxi) into the the 3pin plug at the bottom of the icom the icom sends the FM signal to the hearing aids Tcoil,also over 90% of phonak aids can use FM and all the Nadia models for sure.