Most Powerful CIC

[ZCT]

Steady on, people will start to think you are in their paid employ.

Just as an aside, would you routinely fit power CIC’s to this level, my main reason for asking is that (apart from breakdowns) aren’t you asking a lot from the equipment to be working at this level all day everyday? Wouldn’t a meatier receiver in a larger ITE be a better option for the customer?

Ha

Well in all fairness, find me someone claiming to provide more than 25dB added stable gain…

No, personally, I think it’s all about RIC these days. This has become 90% of my business in this day and age.

When you make a custom product there is so much more scope for problems, while a RIC style aid can be sealed to make it water proof, the case is designed to fit all the components without compromise, it’s the way to go for most people in my opinion.

With the option of 71dB receivers a RIC can fit almost any loss these days (especially if it has the WORLD’S NUMBER ONE FEEDBACK SYSTEM IN IT :rolleyes: ) and you don’t have to worry about wax or water for most models. I also like that you are not blowing sound through a long tube as you are with a BTE.

CIC was always a compromise, exchange some functionality for invisibility. Although when they first came out, they were among the best available for some loss. But with technology available today, I find RIC has WAY more options.

THIS MESSAGE WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY STARKEY - SO THE WORLD MAY HEAR

PS I wonder if anyone will read anything into the fact that this was post #666 for me…

[ZCT]

The Starkey software is indeed very powerful. However during my one month trial, although both my audiologist and Starkey rep (via remote access) tried adjusting it many times in many different ways, still it did not work for me. Each time they were improving one feature, it was getting worse on other.

Many years ago, I used to program my own hearing aid because I was doing the software development for hearing aids. It is fantastic when you can adjust your hearing aid based on what you hear. By just looking at the Starkey software while my audiologist using it, I was impressed with some of its programming features. Most of all I loved the “sound point” of the Starkey program. The fact that Starkey is pioneer on allowing the hearing aid wearer to adjust his/her hearing aid based on what he/she hears and not based on what she has to explain to someone else to adjust it for her/him. But sound point was not available on CIC version and that a big lack for adjusting it. By changing different channels, compressions, or program setting (I had estat setting) improves some feature but worse the other. Overall I loved the programming capability of Starkey but I was very unhappy with its sound quality. I believe Starkey worked very hard on noise reduction that compromised the sound quality of this model significantly.

I hate that you had that experience.

The last year I ran a practice was 2008, and in that year my return rate was 2.53%, far below industry standards. So given my success with Starkey product, I just find it hard to believe that there was not more that could have been done for you. But hey, I wasn’t there. Hope you find (or have found) the success you seek.

[wishtohear]

Also I meant to point out that eXtreme Power refers only to the receiver in the hearing aid, not the aid model itself. So saying ‘Starkey CIC eXtreme Power’ is like saying a ‘Ford SUV’ There are at least half a dozen Ford manufactured SUVs out there, and in the same way Starkey offer their eXtreme Power technology in just about every model from entry level, right up to top of the line.

So your experience with an eXtreme Power CIC would have also been impacted based on the technology level that you purchased, and then how well it was programmed by the hearing professional.

The model was Destiny eXtreme Power Starkey CIC .

[RoseRodent]

Wouldn’t a meatier receiver in a larger ITE be a better option for the customer?

The better hearing aid for a customer is a hearing aid they will wear, not keep in a box. With the best will in the world, if the customer is only prepared to wear a CIC then no matter the bells and whistles or improved gain that ITE or BTE or RITE solutions offer, it’s got to be in their ears to be any use, and I hope that doesn’t come over patronising. I’ve had a lot of hearing aids I’ve kept in my bedside cabinet over the years because they were ugly or uncomfortable - often both!

Some can be talked around, others it’s not going to happen and better to jump on board with what is being asked for or say I’m sorry I don’t believe I can fit you with something that will have satisfactory performance, feel free to try an alternative audiologist. This guy sounds like he doesn’t want to entertain other solutions.

Opinion obviously just as a hearing aid user, but YKWIM, people aren’t going to wear what they won’t wear. I would personally talk anyone who seems potentially open to other solutions into going BTE but I don’t think this is one of those customers.

[ZCT]

The model was Destiny eXtreme Power Starkey CIC .

Ah. Well since the Destiny, there have been three generations of improvements at Starkey (4 if you consider RIC products).

Destiny is so old fashioned by today’s standards our stores don’t even list it on the price list anymore, although I believe some models are still available.

It was a good aid back in the day but obsolete today.

[wishtohear]

Would you please tell me what other newer models Starkey have for providing 75+ DB gain on CIC? I was told that for CIC this model is the most powerful one and there is nothing else made by Starkey that goes beyond 75 db gain.

You mentioned that there are 3 more models created after Destiny eXtreme Power. Please give me the names of those models that have 75+ db gain for CIC (not interested on RIC or BTE or ITE, etc…) . I am only interested on CIC.

I am looking forward to your response because I am on trail period of Siemens and if there is anything better on Starkey (CIC only), I would like to try them before buying this one.

[ZCT]

Would you please tell me what other newer models Starkey have for providing 75+ DB gain on CIC? I was told that for CIC this model is the most powerful one and there is nothing else made by Starkey that goes beyond 75 db gain.

You mentioned that there are 3 more models created after Destiny eXtreme Power. Please give me the names of those models that have 75+ db gain for CIC (not interested on RIC or BTE or ITE, etc…) . I am only interested on CIC.

I am looking forward to your response because I am on trail period of Siemens and if there is anything better on Starkey (CIC only), I would like to try them before buying this one.

The Starkey S Series IQ, can go to 71dB:

http://www.starkeypro.com/public/professionals/products/hearing-aids/s-series-iq/specifications-cic.jsp

The cheaper S Series 5, can also go to 71dB of gain:

http://www.starkeypro.com/public/professionals/products/hearing-aids/s-series-5/specifications-cic.jsp

Both of these models are newer and superior to the Destiny range, the IQ having the extra advantage of voice recognition which can greatly enhance background noise suppression.

Now although they only advertise 71dB of gain, remember that more of this is usable than many other brands because of superior feedback cancellation.

I can tell you on good authority that they can get more gain out of these aids if they have to, but they don’t currently advertise anything higher than 71dB of gain in a CIC. But I know for a fact they have gone several decibels higher than this when they need to. Frankly though, they don’t need to very often and don’t want some horse power happy hearing professional ordering more powerful models as a matter of routine.

I can assure you though, this is a monster power circuit, and if set on the low or non-compression fitting algorithms will satisfy some very power hungry patients.

Finally, I can assure you that both of these aids blow a Destiny out of the water, they are vastly superior in every way. If a hearing professional told you that the Destiny was the only power aid Starkey makes, this is only partly true and certainly not in the CIC range at all. They may have been thinking of a BTE power aid they make with Destiny technology that can do 80dB of gain.

[wishtohear]

The Starkey S Series IQ, can go to 71dB:

http://www.starkeypro.com/public/professionals/products/hearing-aids/s-series-iq/specifications-cic.jsp

The cheaper S Series 5, can also go to 71dB of gain:

http://www.starkeypro.com/public/professionals/products/hearing-aids/s-series-5/specifications-cic.jsp

Both of these models are newer and superior to the Destiny range, the IQ having the extra advantage of voice recognition which can greatly enhance background noise suppression.

Now although they only advertise 71dB of gain, remember that more of this is usable than many other brands because of superior feedback cancellation.

I can tell you on good authority that they can get more gain out of these aids if they have to, but they don’t currently advertise anything higher than 71dB of gain in a CIC. But I know for a fact they have gone several decibels higher than this when they need to. Frankly though, they don’t need to very often and don’t want some horse power happy hearing professional ordering more powerful models as a matter of routine.

I can assure you though, this is a monster power circuit, and if set on the low or non-compression fitting algorithms will satisfy some very power hungry patients.

Finally, I can assure you that both of these aids blow a Destiny out of the water, they are vastly superior in every way. If a hearing professional told you that the Destiny was the only power aid Starkey makes, this is only partly true and certainly not in the CIC range at all. They may have been thinking of a BTE power aid they make with Destiny technology that can do 80dB of gain.

Thank you so much for the information. Do you know if the S series IQ for CIC can support directional Microphone or not? In their documents (in your link), it is mentioned that, it has Directional Microphone, but it doesn’t indicate if it is for CIC or not.

[SiR_hC]

Hello,

You should check Starkey S series IQ 11 CIC Extreme Power, Siemens Nitro CIC and Oticon Agil CIC Power. In my oppinion it is meaningless to add directional mic to a CIC because it will make it bigger.
If you want directional mics then you should take a look in RIC models like Resound Alera 961 High Power, Resound Dot2 30 High Power and Oticon Agil Mini RITE Power.

Regards

[Melissa]

Ha

Well in all fairness, find me someone claiming to provide more than 25dB added stable gain…

No, personally, I think it’s all about RIC these days. This has become 90% of my business in this day and age.

When you make a custom product there is so much more scope for problems, while a RIC style aid can be sealed to make it water proof, the case is designed to fit all the components without compromise, it’s the way to go for most people in my opinion.

With the option of 71dB receivers a RIC can fit almost any loss these days (especially if it has the WORLD’S NUMBER ONE FEEDBACK SYSTEM IN IT :rolleyes: ) and you don’t have to worry about wax or water for most models. I also like that you are not blowing sound through a long tube as you are with a BTE.

CIC was always a compromise, exchange some functionality for invisibility. Although when they first came out, they were among the best available for some loss. But with technology available today, I find RIC has WAY more options.

THIS MESSAGE WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY STARKEY - SO THE WORLD MAY HEAR

PS I wonder if anyone will read anything into the fact that this was post #666 for me…

Just to add my two cents…I’ve yet to trial any kind of BTE (several different brands, several said to be moisture proof) that could withstand my three mile daily jogs and associated hours’ worth of sweatiness. And it’s a normal amount of sweat, not something freakish…

[ZCT]

Just to add my two cents…I’ve yet to trial any kind of BTE (several different brands, several said to be moisture proof) that could withstand my three mile daily jogs and associated hours’ worth of sweatiness. And it’s a normal amount of sweat, not something freakish…

When Starkey invented this hydra shield technology, they were doing 2 hour training lectures at the time, on programming. They would drop one of these aids in a glass of water and leave it there for the whole lecture. After the lecture, they would pull the aid out and prove it was still working.

If it can withstand a couple of hours at the bottom of a glass of water, I’d have thought a bit of non-freakish sweat would be fine! :rolleyes:

[ZCT]

Thank you so much for the information. Do you know if the S series IQ for CIC can support directional Microphone or not? In their documents (in your link), it is mentioned that, it has Directional Microphone, but it doesn’t indicate if it is for CIC or not.

If you add directional mics, the aid will be bigger, closer to the size of an ITC or mini ITC.

The theory goes they are not all that necessary on a CIC, because the natural shape of the pinna provides the directionality. It only becomes necessary when you move the mics to an unnatural part of the ear, as with a BTE.

[Nima_Behrozi]

Excuse me, I have just register this valuable site. Do everybody know any power CIC hearing aid including remote control for controlling its volume?
I think sometimes, the user would like to reduce its volume, when for example, he/she wants to study and sometimes he/she likes to increase its volume to hear weak sounds.
Thanks a lot
Nima

[ZCT]

Excuse me, I have just register this valuable site. Do everybody know any power CIC hearing aid including remote control for controlling its volume?
I think sometimes, the user would like to reduce its volume, when for example, he/she wants to study and sometimes he/she likes to increase its volume to hear weak sounds.
Thanks a lot
Nima

Or you could have a multi memory button on the hearing aid, and have a program designed for quiet situations like study, or to mute them.

Having to carry a remote is a bit old fashioned and is just extra hassle.

[Nima_Behrozi]

Or you could have a multi memory button on the hearing aid, and have a program designed for quiet situations like study, or to mute them.

Having to carry a remote is a bit old fashioned and is just extra hassle.

@ZCT, thank you. Actually I’m not sure whether it is possible to add a remote control on power CIC or not. When I talked to my audiologist, he said it is not possible for Nitro power CIC (301-701). I’m very interested about your idea, I’m still not sure if it is possible to volume down only with a button or not.

[kirandoll123]

Hi all,

I’m new here. Just registered and this is my first post. I tried to search for what I’m about to ask next and didn’t see anything recent, so I apologize beforehand if this has been asked before.

Basically, I have a severe to profound hearing loss in the mid-range to low frequency ranges from auditory nerve damage in both ears.

I am aware that the best fit/solution for me is a BTE aid. However, I’m just not comfortable wearing them.

For the past 7-8 years I’ve been wearing a Starkey analog CIC aid (maybe it’s a Starkey T?). I got it around 2003 or so.

My question is, what is the most powerful CIC aid available. I’d love to have technology like Bluetooth, wireless remote, etc - but realize that in a CIC form-factor that might not be possible.

However, my needs/wants are: CIC form-factor and the highest gain available. Bluetooth, wireless remote, etc are all optional.

My current search on Google is returning too many advertisements/fluff material that isn’t relevant. I did find a .pdf from Starkey but it dated back to 2008. I can’t find anything recent.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Best,

Michael

dear sir only starkey has most powerful cic in the hearing industry ,try the company website www.starkey.com

[ZCT]

@ZCT, thank you. Actually I’m not sure whether it is possible to add a remote control on power CIC or not. When I talked to my audiologist, he said it is not possible for Nitro power CIC (301-701). I’m very interested about your idea, I’m still not sure if it is possible to volume down only with a button or not.

A Starkey CIC has 4 memories, the fourth usually being for telephone.

So it is possible to configure the other three to be normal, softer, louder. And thus you can cycle through these three memories with the button.

[Nima_Behrozi]

A Starkey CIC has 4 memories, the fourth usually being for telephone.

So it is possible to configure the other three to be normal, softer, louder. And thus you can cycle through these three memories with the button.

Thanks very much. Do you know which model is more sufficient for me (preferably with button) please? I also need to take care of its price.
My audiogram is as follows:
Freq: 250-500-1k-2k-4k-8k
Right: 62-68-71-71-88-105
Left: 62-63-68-68-78-95

Thank you very much,
Nima

[ZCT]

Thanks very much. Do you know which model is more sufficient for me (preferably with button) please? I also need to take care of its price.
My audiogram is as follows:
Freq: 250-500-1k-2k-4k-8k
Right: 62-68-71-71-88-105
Left: 62-63-68-68-78-95

Thank you very much,
Nima

Nima,

There is no right answer to this question. All Starkey CIC hearing aids are powerful enough for your loss, and all can be ordered with a multi memory that could be programmed for volume if that’s what you wanted.

The fact is the more expensive and therefore advanced aids do more to adapt to the environment, so need less in the way of user input or volume control.

All of the Starkey CIC aids could be set up for your loss, and as you spend more money, you are likely to get better hearing in a difficult/noisy situation, and need to regulate the volume yourself less.

[SiR_hC]

If you are on a low budget then have in mind Starkey’s Destiny series.