New to the forum and HA’s. TBH I didn’t realize how bad my upper level hearing was until I saw the results of the test. I know nothing about hearing aids so now trying to be an educated consumer and have been reading this forum (which is great!) and other internet sites to learn what I can. She made some recommendations and of course there was the sticker shock with the cost. I am now trying the Phonak Sphere i70 (since Sept 11) but wondering if I should go to the i90. While I can find quite a bit about the i90 online there is very little about the i70. Hoping for some guidance as this has been a real awakening for me - now hearing so much more than just a week ago. I also don’t know what to expect - what I have to live with vs what can be made better.
You can do a trial of both, one after the other, and see which one you prefer. Take notes during the trials, about what’s good, not good, similar, and different. Consider the cost difference between the 2 models.
If you’ve ever been in the military, the VA might help you with assessment, hearing aids, and supplies.
Welcome to the forum! You’ll find lots of friendly and experienced members willing to share their knowledge with you.
Thank you! I’m learning quite a bit quickly and started taking notes on the first day. Not in the VA so the cost is on me. It appears the cost difference is about $1300. Very little is said about the 70s and since I am new to this I don’t know how important the differences are between them.
There are two main differences between 70s and 90s. The 90s have a little bit stronger noise reduction ability in Sphere mode. If you hear well in noise with the 70s it is unlikely 90s would be better in that regard. If you have problems, ask if that setting is maxed out. The second feature the 90s have is Speech Enhancer. It helps make soft spoken people more audible. If neither of those two factors are issues for you, the 70s are likely more than adequate.
Two more things. With your good low frequency hearing you’re most likely in open domes. That’s going to make it challenging to take full advantage of Sphere mode so that would also make me lean towards keeping the 70s. Lastly, if speech in noise is a big problem, you MIGHT want to consider asking about Activent receivers. These could help in difficult speech in noise situations but some people find them annoying.
Hearing in noisy environments is a big issue for me, so that has me considering the change. I don’t know right now that I have them long enough yet to see plus since HA’s are new to me, I am still adjusting to all the extra noise. I have also noticed that the right HA battery seems to lose power faster than the left by 5 to 10 percent by the end of the day.
Welcome to the forum!
My Paradise P90R’s are the same.
My right hearing aid is the master; the left communicates with it so the right uses more power than the left
Phonak made Marvel, Paradise, Lumity and now Sohere.
One factor in battery power usage is which ear is the “worse” ear. From your audiogram, it looks like your right hearing aid has to work a bit harder, so it makes sense that the right uses more battery. Which aid is the “master” for Bluetooth connection is also a factor, depending on how the audiologist set them up, as @DaveL said.
As @MDB said, ActiveVent receivers can be helpful, and will open or close to help speech in noise be better heard. The “annoying” part is the click they can make, and some wearers also can hear an electronic “pffft” sound. Also, ActiveVent receivers can require replacement every 6 months or so, depending upon how scrupulously you clean them, how much earwax you produce, and (possibly) luck. Replacement means you’ve got an ongoing cost of buying new receivers, but some consider it more than worth the expense to have the boost in hearing.
I did speak with my audiologist and she confirmed what you are saying and the difference is nothing to worry about at this point, so thank you for sharing that with me.
I do plan to speak to my audiologist about the receiver and the domes. She also did add that since im new to HA’s that they are not at full strength so as not to be overwhelmed with the noise. I do plan to try the i90’s when I go in for the next fitting.
@RAO Hi Ray
My dispensing Audi didn’t set my hearing aids up right. He didn’t have the left hearing aid communicating with the right. Long story…
Short summary: they didn’t work. It’s an important feature.
Dave
Ray I finally switched to moulded inserts from domes. They made a huge difference for me.
DaveL
I do think both sides are communicating as I hear the tones when they connect and disconnect. I do plan to discuss the domes - not sure which ones I have. Thanks so much to everyone for responding!
Ray
Looked at some pictures of domes online. I think I have the vented domes?
I use the vented domes, but my hearing aids are not Sphere models. Still, I like a fairly occlusive fit with a deep placement for good sound delivery, and my audiologist did REM after I changed to vented domes, for optimal programming.
As for Sphere models, it’s often recommended to have molds made, to maximize the benefit of better sound quality and effective noise reduction.
I would guess you have open domes but only a guess. Open domes have multiple big openings. Vented domes have pretty small holes In them.
Good point, MDB! New wearers are often started with open domes. @RAO, do your domes look like a flying saucer with holes all around the rim, or like a rounded barrel?
My domes have only a very small hole not like a flying saucer but like an inverted bowl with a small hole near the top rather close to the receiver.
How do I know if I have the correct receiver? Are there any specific tests or things I should try to determine that?
OK you have vented domes from what you describe. You most likely have medium receivers which should be fine. You can look at the fitting ranges of the various receivers but don’t get too concerned about the high frequencies. You’re not going to get 6000 Hz and 8000 Hz in the right ear no matter what receiver you get, (but you will likely hear something because of frequency lowering.
Thank you, I appreciate you sharing that!