New hearing aid user with several (hopefully basic) questions

Hearing Aids
1

Hi! I’m a new hearing aid user who began using the Philips Hearlink 9050 HAs (purchased from Costco) a month or so ago. Had some basic questions/comments as I prepare for my one month follow-up appointment at Costco later this week:

-Would it be advised to regularly wear the HAs even when at home? I telework from home 4 days a week and live by myself so don’t know if there would be too much value having them on while I’m alone in my condo? I’ve been wearing them regularly when I go out, just not so much when I’m at home.

-The Costco hearing specialist likes to ask me if the hearing aid sound is “tinny” but I’m not so sure I know what that even means? I’ll say that my amplified voice does sound a little bit like it’s coming though a speakerphone when I hear myself talk, though it’s not something that bothers me. The outside sounds coming through the hearing aid seem fine/expected. One issue is - especially as a new HA user - I maybe don’t know how things are “expected” to sound as I don’t have any other experiences with HAs to compare the sounds against. As far as I can tell, the HAs seem to work fine and I do hear noises I wasn’t hearing previously. Just not sure specifically what “tinny” means and how to judge that… but again I’ve not had problems personally with how things sound.

-Besides the main wire, I have a 2nd wire that sticks out of both of my HAs; I’m not even sure what they’re called (have seen different terms depending on website). What is the purpose of this wire and how should I be setting it in my ear? Sometimes I set it on the bottom of the inside contour of my ear while other times I just try to stick the wire inside my ear canal. It’s just frustrating to not be able to find clear/consistent information about something that’s seemingly basic online though maybe I’m just not looking in the right places. I see some BTE HAs don’t even have this 2nd wire.

-When using the HAs my preferred volume use is +1 (as opposed to default 0), sometimes even +2; don’t know if that necessitates any adjustments?

-As a podcast listener, I’ve found myself using the HAs quite frequently for their Bluetooth audio capabilities when I’m out and about in lieu of my regular Bluetooth earphones for convenience. Am wondering if frequent usage of the HAs as earphones is OK or if it is perhaps can be detrimental to the devices long-term as HAs?

-Have heard that the only way to directly connect Phillips 9050 HAs to a TV would be through a TV adapter or “audio clip” you have to buy separately, you can’t connect directly through Bluetooth. Is buying one of these separate devices worth it? I’ll say that I feel I can hear my TV just fine using the HAs, or even without any HAs (if the volume is turned up a little bit more) but wondering if the TV adapter or audio clip further enhances the experience.

-How often should the HAs be cleaned in actual practice? For example I’ve cleaned the microphone opening and charging pads once so far in a month of usage even though they didn’t look like they need to be cleaned. I replaced the wax filter for my right HA after about a couple weeks after I noticed it was only working intermittently, which seemed to solve the issue, but wondering if there are typical maintenance intervals that work for replacing things like the wax filter and ear dome. Honestly asking because I’m not much for regular maintenance so trying to see how much time I can get away with reasonably…

-My Costco hearing specialist set up 4 different “programs” (including General, Speech-In-Noise, HiFi Music, etc.) that I’m trying to understand better. Are these programs that I’m able to edit or would he have to on his end? The HiFi Music doesn’t seem to offer much bass for example when I’m listening to music was looking to see if I might be able to adjust the default for that.

Thanks for feedback on any of the above!

5 Likes
2

Good set of questions, hopefully someone will give you better answers, but here is my opinion:

1- Yes, you should wear them as often as you can, so your brain can adjust.

2- You do have a benchmark which is in your memory lane!
Do any familair sounds before your hearing loss, sound the same with these hearing aids?
Or do voices sound like 1950 cartoons?

3- 2nd wire is to keep the receiver tucked inside your ear canal in place, this extra wire need to be around/within your pinna! so to keep the whole system in place! someone could explain it better.

4- +1 or +2 you should get that checked with Costco, assuming you’ve done REM (Real Ear Measurements).
Costco can adjust that for you on global basis, rather than you changing it every time.

5- Detrimental!!! use it or lose it, I guess.
But that’s your health that is on the line.
Since the HA have 3 years warranty, I suppose you could get Costco to replace it close to the end of warranty, or get a new one.

6- Since Philips is a “clone” of Oticon,I suppose you will need a TV adapter for full experience, is it necessary! only you can tell.
Unless your Philips has Auracast and does your TV or you could get a cheap Auracast transmitter, the current Bluetooth won’t work, but I could be wong.

7- Clean Clean Clean, your Costco HCP should explain to you how to clean it, and get a dehumidifier.

8- Those programs come by default I guess, but it is up to you to give your HCP feedbacks so he can tweak them for you and bake them in the HA rather than the app on your smartphone, or create new ones.

Good luck

6 Likes
3

I suspect your hearing aids are set at 80% and not 100%, they will adjust this at your next appointment.

The Philips 9050 doesn’t currently have the ability to use Auracast. This will probably be updated at some later time. Hopefully, sooner then later. So you will need a TV streamer or audio clip currently.

Maintenance depends on the individual. Some folks generate a lot wax and need to replace the filters more often, others not so much. If your Costco is close by, then let them change out the wax filters one a month if your ears don’t generate a bunch of wax.

I’ve never used a dehumidifier. The use of one may depend on the climate you are using your hearing aids in. I’ve never had a problem with moisture.

I use my hearing aids all the time. However, some folks prefer the quiet when not using the hearing aid.

If you are using the open bass domes, then you have to understand that sound leaks out of your ears and you will not get a good bass sound. As a test, when wearing your hearing aids, put your fingers in you ears. Personally, if using open bass domes, I would just use a noise cancelling headphone.

The extra wire is probably a retention wire. If so, then it goes in the bottom contour of your ear. It’s job is to keep the hearing aid in place and not falling off. Not everyone’s ear needs a retention wire. I use one on my right ear, and none on my left ear.

You can listen to podcasts and stream all you want. The only issue is battery life, and sound leakage if using open bass domes. Just have the battery replaced under warranty before your warranty expires.

If you are keeping the 9050 hearing aids, then you might consider ear molds with some venting since you seem to find streaming helpful. Ask your fitter about it.

4 Likes
4

I envy your relatively mild hearing loss. Don’t take it for granted.
And welcome to this forum… lots to learn here.

Perhaps you could double check with your doctors or ENT - if there is any way to determine if something in your lifestyle might have led to that cookie bite hearing loss. Genetics, or exposure to loud sound, or medications even.

Those are retention handles. They tuck into your ear lobes - what hearing prose call your pinna.

Use the instruments as much as possible. So you get used to them.
However you owe it to yourself to try various different speaker solutions.
If possible, if you can try the ear molds, which are only $89 from Costco… I LOVED them.
Much much nicer, clearer, stronger, more base, no itching like the domes caused.
They are returnable - along with all else, within six months of your purchase.

I have a lot of experience with the TV adapter. It sells for $239 and works quite well.
Again, why not try it, and see how you like it.
I had three of them, for various computer and TV sources, with my prior Oticon units.

MOST IMPORTANTLY:
You NEED to really get to know your hearing aids, AND
You REALLY need to HELP Your HA dispenser, get to know you!
The dispenser, regardless of credentials, or experience, even, MUST CARE about you!
Must take an interest in you.
I can go to a doctor, the waiting room is empty, and by the time I leave, it is packed.
I ask a lot of questions… I engage, and take an interest, and try to measure how the practitioner is evaluating things. Is this an automated, response… is it a personalized, investigation.
Does he care, or just going through the motions.
It is easy for me, as I am a conversationalist and have countless interested.
IF the person is TOO busy to answer my questions, or if the answers belie a deep understanding, or if you get the impression that he is watching the clock… GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!
If the person is good, eventually he will take an interest in you due to your particular situation.
Perhaps your lack of experience, your many great questions, your curiosity, your desire to learn.
He could schedule you when he is more likely to have more time.
When there is a will, there is a way.
Problem solvers, first have to care to solve them!

Your aids are not like shoe insoles. They are advanced computers that need many many refinements and their performance is greatly affected by their placement in your ears, your attention to maintenance as far as cleaning and keeping dry.
But nothing is as important as the attention to detail given by your dispenser.
I have been wearing aids for many decades… but as a new user… you should go to a several different Costco’s if possible. Give some reason… but you should only have to go to the original dispenser for the second visit, if that.

Last point for now - You do NOT need a hearing aid dryer. Save your money.
If you have a machine, like a computer, notebook computer, lamp, radiator, bright sunny window sill… anywhere there is gentle, but measurable dry heat - not a radiator by a humidifier for example, you can dry your hearing aids just fine there.
I put my aids on the top grill of my high powered graphics computer, OR put them by the exhaust vent of my high performance notebook computer.

4 Likes
5

A lot of advice has been provided by other readers, above. I would just say, “don’t poke that ‘extra wire’ into your ear canal!” It can easily be removed, by you or your technician–if it bothers you. It’s supposed to help keep the aid from falling out of your ear. But it has to be positioned correctly to do so.
I live alone but wear my HAs all the time. It’s better to know what’s happening in your full environment, even indoors and alone–for safety. It also benefits your brain training to wear them constantly.

7 Likes
6

You’ve received lots of good advice…all of it. There’s nothing I would correct, but a few thoughts to add.

You have a hearing profile / audiogram. That suggests that you have been to an audiologist who has tested you. They are another great resource, especially for medical questions like whether you build up a lot of wax or not.

I have Oticon aids, which are very close cousins of yours. I have a device called a “Connect Clip”. Philips sells something very similar. It received normal bluetooth from a computer or TV and rebroadcasts it to the aids. There is a nearly identical Philips device called HearLink AudioClip. I use it with my computer a lot and like it. For TV, I just turn up the volume.

Oticon hearing aids have an adaptation period of roughly a month (someone please correct me…) During this time, the hearing aid gain is slowly increased to help you adapt to it. I assume Philips also has this. You may still be in the adapt-time, so may find that you need +2 now, but won’t need it in a month. THIS IS CONJECTURE. Your CostCo rep can clearly explain this to you and help you with the gain setting.

The term “tinny” refers to too much high frequency.

I hope this helps.

2 Likes
7

If you have earmolds like in the photos above, the plastic wire ending with a ball is a removal filament.

It’s for facilitating earmold removal. In Phonak, there is a standard length of 5mm, which I find too short, so I ordered 10mm.

1 Like
8

With your hearing loss, I don’t think you will get the “tinny” sound with your aids . That is something that people with my type of high frequency loss can get when to much of the high frequency sound is amplified.

1 Like