My CostCo visit today; KS9 pair on order

Hearing Aids
#17

I’ll throw in a different perspective. I don’t think you need to involve the manager unless you want to report the person. All you have to do is request a different fitter. It’s common in the medical field to just not hit it off with somebody.

I also don’t think you necessarily need power receivers. The guidelines I’ve seen (in a Connexx 7 fitting video) are to try to get your 500, 1000 and 2000 hz results in the middle of the fitting range of the receiver. I don’t think your going to get anything useful out of the worse ear at 6khz anyway. I suspect medium receivers would do fine.

From my experience Costco stores carry a range of receivers so if you wanted to try a different strength one it should not require reordering. I’ve had a receiver changed out just dropping in unannounced.

Also consider how well you’ll come off telling licensed professional what to do based on lay people’s advice. Your call, but I’ve had much better luck asking questions and being curious than demanding things a certain way. Good luck.l

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#18

Thank you @MDB. Your last paragraph, that has been one of my big concerns. Why are they going to listen to me? So when @Sierra said ask to see the fitting chart, I thought that would get me a long way. Yes? I was thinking I want a photo of what I am shown, not sure they will like that though.

I don’t know any other way to get a different fitter than to ask the manager to make the change. This CostCo has 3 fitters working there, when you phone you leave a message you never get to speak to someone. Then one of them calls you back, they rotate who has ‘phone message duty.’ 1 of the 3 is manager, I think I know which one. If I call and ask to be switched to another fitter in a message, not sure how that will go over. If I call and ask for a call back, the fitter I saw will return my call. I would have to leave a message for the manager to call me back, I think.

As for changing the order as @Canuck suggests , that would work best if I can ask to see the fitting chart. And that is not going to happen until I go in again. My next trip in happens after the order has arrived, and I go in to get them. Unless I stop in unannounced and ask. Um. They were very brusk with customers when I was in yesterday; no appointment, we will make one for you, but that was it. One woman had to push and say, “but I only want to buy batteries!” So her, they did service.

#19

I think you could just leave a message saying that you’d be more comfortable if you could see a different hearing aid fitter would do it, but feel free to handle it any way you’d like.

Asking questions and asking for a copy of something is fine. I do that all the time and have never had an issue.

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#20

LOL that actually suits me well, because then I do it via voice mail and don’t even have to speak to a person! That would be me, ducking any direct contact. ha haa.

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#21

I would be surprised if they didn’t have P receivers in stock. At least at the Costco I go to, they seem to have a big box of receivers for the KS8’s. The UP’S would be a special order though.

#22

One thing to keep in mind is that you are going to Costco to get new hearing aids, not new friends. That said you are likely to get better service if one is polite, but firm with them.

The fitter I have at my Costco is the Manager, so it would be awkward if I could not get along with her. Fortunately she is very accommodating. I have not had any issues like you are having.

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#23

At my Costco in Oakbrook, IL, they have all the receivers in stock. When my fitter didn’t have time for me, they gave me a different fitter after asking me if I was OK with that. Both were fine. And I’ve been upfront with them from the start about finding out as much as I can about the aids AND the fact that I have the software and a NoahLink Wireless and am programming them myself.

The first post in in the link below has great info on everything. PDFs about the KS9s from Costco and Phonak.

I’d reference that with your Costco. As you’ll see, you can have three manual programs, and there are four different receivers.

My two cents.

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#24

Hey peeps, the craziness continues.

I just phoned in; the person I think is the manager is the one who answered the phone. That right there is unusual, every other time I have called I go to voice mail. I simply said “I had given some consideration over the weekend, and I think I would prefer to change fitters, so could I make my appt with another fitter, maybe you?” Done but here is where I started hearing the theme from the Twilight Zone.

First, I had NO follow up appointment in their system. I have the appt card right in front of me. “Oh, I guess she never got around to entering it in the system.”

Second, my hearing aids are in, there was a cancellation and I am going in TODAY to get the aids, start the trial. NO TWO WEEK WAIT.

I will double check on the colors. (minor)

I will ask to see the fitting charts for each ear, and have a conversation about the receiver types. (major)

I will chat about manual programs, 3 options, what do I listen for, take notes on etc. so we have an idea what to program them for on my next visit. (major)

SO glad I am seeing a different person. And thanks to all who provided info to keep me going on this.

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#25

Don’t keep us in suspense. How did/is it going with the new aids and fitter?

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#26

Ha haa, I had started a new thread, but I will update here.

:musical_note::notes: Happy days are here again, :musical_note::notes: I can hear you now, loud and clear, my friend, :musical_note::notes: I hear song bird chirping sounds, and the rain again.:musical_note::notes: Happy days are here again! :musical_note::notes:

This fitter is MUCH better, she knows more, she does more testing, she listens. We had a pleasant hour and a half meeting, joking, chatting and it was very informative. We pulled up my fitting chart, and she agreed a P receiver for my left ear would be a good choice, she changed that right then and there. I have a small vented dome on each hearing aid.

We went over several other charts, several things had to be changed because “Oh Marie never does this with anyone, but I always do this.” (Not her real name) We used the ‘auricle’ machine to get the sound set on these hearing aids. Auricle is that round disk you sit in front of it, don’t talk don’t move. First tubes are set in your ears and sounds test, then the hearing aids are added (tubes remain in) and sounds are adjusted. This is for checking sound in and sound out.

So I got the hearing aids Monday about 5 PM it is now Friday just after 7 PM. The one thing on my list so far for the fitter to adjust at my next appointment: the middle volume. This is where the hearing aids turn on, and you want to have it set for where you normally keep the volume. Just now the right ear is VERY LOUD, so I need that softened about 4 pings. Meanwhile the left ear is too soft and needs to be adjusted up at least 1 and perhaps 2 pings. I can use the volume buttons to make things louder or softer. These KS9s ‘talk’ to each other so if I use the volume button on one, that changes the volume for both. I don’t have any way to change them independently. Nor do I have any way to change the middle volume.

This shows the hearing aids in, and overlaid on my fitting chart. She said the higher frequencies are compressed by the hearing aids so that I can hear those tones.
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This is the chart after we used the auricle. You have to adjust 3 levels of sound on each hearing aid, so 6 adjustments in all. This shows where the hearing is - solid line - and where the hearing aid is - dotted line.

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This shows the automatic programs for the KS9. There are also 3 manual programs, we will talk about setting those at my next appointment on Nov 22.
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I took this photo of a poster on their wall, as I wanted to know more about the dryer; I DID purchase it. But I had not been able to find any info on it online, or on here, before I went in.

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#27

The Auricle is doing Real Ear Measurement also knows as REM. Most of us feel it is mandatory for a good hearing aid fit.

Here is a link to the manufacturer of PerfuctDry Lux.
https://www.oaktreeproducts.com/perfectdry-lux-dehumidifier-000016

I have had one for over a year and use it daily. My hearing aids and the dryer are from Costco.

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#28

Congratulations, always good to hear about a successful hearing aid fitting.
Thanks for sharing your experience.

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#29

Thanks for posting that info about the dryer. I had not been able to find it on my own, so this is helpful.

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#30

If you download the Easy Remote software, and pair your aids via Bluetooth, you’ll be able to use your phone to adjust your left and right volumes independently.

#31

Thank you @uburoibob, but I do not own a smart phone. So there is no way for me to access that software.

#32

Should a friend or relative want to gift you one they are retiring, you don’t need phone/Cell service to use the software.

And should you get the TV adapter - and particularly if KS9s ever get the Marvel 2.0 upgrade - there’s a good amount of functionality you won’t be able to access otherwise. Just something to consider.

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#33

NOW I am intrigued.

I live alone, so I can set the TV as loud as I please, that isn’t an issue.

How do I get the software, if I do not have cell service?

#34

If you have wireless WiFi in your home you just connect your phone to your WiFi and download the software either from the Google store if the phone is Android or from the Apple store if you have an iPhone. No cell service needed.

This is the way I started. When I retired I turned in my “CrackBerry” phone and swore I would never get sucked into that stuff again. However when I got hearing aids I immediately saw the need for a remote control device and didn’t want to buy one of those expensive key fob devices. So, I just used a dead (no cell SIM card) phone my wife had thrown in the drawer. You can still connect to WiFi without a SIM card and download apps. Even if you don’t have WiFi go to a library or a McDonalds and download the software there. If you need help downloading, just post again and I or someone else will help.

Of course this starts something. I went from a no SIM Android to a iPhone, and from there I got talked into a $10 a month basic cell phone plan, and from there now a $15 a month plan. However, I have drawn the red line there and refuse to buy more minutes and data, and will not put my e-mail on my phone. That was the mess I was in with the “CrackBerry”…

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#35

Fantastic! Thank you for the detail, @Sierra! This is great news.

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#36

Sierra has it covered!

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