Newby or not newby, that is the question! OMG it's a long one!

Hearing Aids
#1

Hi All

I have a bunch of questions so I’m just going to fire away, thanks in advance for anyone who takes the time to read and reply! :slightly_smiling_face:

This is a very long (blimey!) so I’ve highlighted the info below (1-9) if you want to (!) get more info you have the option to scroll down for more detail…

1. I’ve been wearing Audeo ‘Yes’ devices for 10 years, but…

2. I defo hear better with my devices but I’ve been struggling…

3 I’m lazy and tight fisted so looking to change now because one device is not working properly…

4 . I’m in the UK so I think I’m going to try the NHS as a back-up option …

5. I’m totally confused by the massive choice…

6. I’m less concerned now about my aids being visible…

7.Finally a question! Looking at my audiogram, any recommendations on…

8. I’m dreading the process but as of now my ‘plan’ is…

9. Once they are repaired (if they can be) I’m going to go to a local Audi and ask…

10. I really do struggle now, have for quite a while…

I’m mainly (I guess looking for BTE/RIC devices) I have another question which I’d like your thoughts on about ITE devices but as this is the world’s longest first post I’m going to post that separately!

Thank you!

1. I’ve been wearing Audeo ‘Yes’ devices for 10 years, but I call myself a Newb because I seem to know very little about HA tech even after all this time!

2. I defo hear better with my devices than without but I’ve been struggling for - probably years - with speech recognition and this seems to have worsened in the last few years. I did go back to my Audi once for a sort of re-fit session (4 years ago or so?) but didn’t notice much change.

3. I’m lazy and tight fisted so I’m looking to change now because one device is not working properly (it’s not just a wax guard I’m pretty good with changing those regularly). I AM going to send them in for repair as I figure why not, it’s relatively cheap compared to new ones and fully functioning Audeo ‘Yeses’ are still today not bad devices? Oh, having hardly used my MyPilot before when the one device (left) stated acting up I did manage to move the input/balance to the R/H aid and sort of send it across to the L/H aid. This actually worked pretty well as a temporary fix (and also proved I guess that the L/H receiver is working ok but not the L/H mic?) until the MyPilot packed up! In that set up my aid battery usage was crazy high!

4. I’m in the UK so I think I’m going to try the NHS as a back-up option , I figure why not, right? From what I’ve read here depending on the post code lottery aspect it’s possible to get a fairly decent RIC device? My local hospital is Northampton so if any local Brits here have any experience of the Audi dept. there that’d be cool to know…

5. I’m totally confused by the massive choice and multiple options out there and my attitude towards it probably doesn’t help because from what I can see profit margins are crazy high and there seems to be a lot of intended obfuscation too boot. And I work in the automotive industry!

6. I’m less concerned now about my aids being visible which was, I’ll admit, something I worried about in the early days (silly I know…) but with my hair a little longer the Audeo Yes’ were/are very good for this. I like my hair shorter however so I just get it cut now but I guess I’d rather not have a big beige blob back there if I can avoid it! So for my new ones I’d like stay smallish…?

7. Finally a question! Looking at my audiogram, any recommendations on devices ?

8. I’m dreading the process but as of now my ‘plan’ is to pick 3-4 high(ish) end devices/brands that I’d like to trial. I’ll do this via Specsavers (as they do Phonak, Signia etc) Boots (Widex, Starkey etc) and probably a local independent Audi. I’ll look to get a proper trial. Specsavers don’t offer a trail but ‘money back’ so as they do the Signia range I see no other option but to use the ‘buy and return’ option. I see no other option if I want to do a proper assessment of more than one device?

9. Once they are repaired (if they can be) I’m going to go to a local Audi ask if they’ll do an assessment/set up on my Yes’ devices including a Real Ear Measurment whci that Dr Cliff guy on Youtube say is vital, so I guess it is!?

10. I really do struggle now, have for quite a while… I avoid conversations with people both socially and at work BIG time. This has a serious impact on my life. So as much as I joke that I’m lazy and tight both are partly true…) hearing better would be awesome. I mange ok, clearly but my situation now is far far from ideal. I guess my big reason for putting off the upgrade off for so long is, partly, because for the best devices the money is huge and it irks me that the cost of increased technology reduces over time in every other industry across the globe except in the hearing aid business! (Moore’s Law). Not to mention how much more we pay in the UK compared to the US for the exact same product.

#2

You are going to notice a big improvement with new aids.
Most any type aid will fit your hearing loss, BTE, RIC and ITE.

You have many hearing aid choices. Picking aids that are compatible with your phone has become very important.

Lots of information on this forum. All your quesadillas more can be answered with some reading.

Good luck.

1 Like
#3

mmmmm…quesadillas :slight_smile:

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#4

Spell check!
I meant questions.
That’s funny. Must have heard my stomach rumbling.

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#5

My thoughts are that if the distance is reasonable, go to a Costco hearing center for a test and prices. Here are the ones I see listed on the UK Costco Hearing Aid site.

image

Their KS9 model is essentially a Phonak Marvel M90 aid with a 312 battery, no telcoil, and no tinnitus masking. It is a premium hearing aid at a very good price (at least it is over here in Canada). I think it would be suitable for your loss, but you probably should use the frequency lowering feature to shift down the higher frequencies.

Their Rexton Adore Li model is currently on sale over here. It is basically a Signia that is rechargeable.

The RIC style aids have about 75% of the market, and typically offer the latest features and the best prices.

Hope that helps some,

1 Like
#6

Thanks All :+1:

Sierra
Had no idea Costco HA dept were here in UK thanks for heads up, will check em out.

Raudrive
Thanks too, all I can think about now is a quesadilla! :smile: I have done a fair bit or reading, I must admit I get info overload. Your point on “…compatible with phone” That seems to be a common view and makes sense I guess but I don’t actually talk on my phone that much these days, I text mainly and use it for the internet so I’m sorta wondering… or is that backward thinking?

#7

Heya, just re-read your post again properly and that promoted some more research… :weary: :smiley:
Did I get it right that that a KS9 is a Marvel but it’s not exactly the same in that it wont work with a Roger pen for example? Although that is the dumbest name for a product I think I’ve ever heard it looks like a potentially cool thing to have!? (sorry, the ‘Roger’ that prob invented it…)

#8

I don’t use the KS9 but yes that may be a limitation. There are way over 1000 posts here in the KS9 thread and I’m sure it is well covered. Hopefully somebody that uses one can answer. I have seen posts that if you use an iPhone, the iPhone “Live Listen” feature works. You have to put the phone where you want to pick up the voices and turn Live Listen on.

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#9

No Roger for the KS9 aids. A possible Phonak RemoteMic might be used but have zero proof it will.

You might find yourself back on the phone when you stream the phone call with your phone. I used to only text because I couldn’t hear using the phone. Bluetooth streaming a phone call is very nice for us hard of hearing people.

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#10

I have the Costco Brio 3, which is like the Phonak Audeo B90 and I’m very happy with it. I got the Compilot 2 Bluetooth device, tv transmitter, and Roger Pen (got the Pen used on Ebay).

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#11

thanks, think you might be right re the phone use…

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#12

The same thing goes for TV.
I have only used closed captioning for a number of years. The Bluetooth streaming the TV straight to both ears has really changed how I enjoy TV. Really enjoying Sunday football again.
The Bluetooth streaming is really nice.

3 Likes
#13

Thanks guys :smiley:

#14

Rexton vs KS9 any new thoughts?

Oh and from what I read KS8’s are a higher spec device than KS9’s that correct?

#15

(Off-topic so please don’t follow up or I’ll feel soooo guiltly!) I don’t know what inspired the name “Roger.” But it could easily have been that “roger” is used in radio communications, e.g., in aviation, military, and police, to mean “I have received and understood your last communication.”

(Note: it does not mean “yes.” “Affirmative” means “yes.”)

#16

I would suggest that the KS8 (like the Rexton Adore) and KS9 (like Phonak Marvel) are about equal in technical aspects. There are some things that each does better than the other. They are from different manufacturers and the KS9 should not be considered as an evolution of the KS8.

The KS8 is MFi while the KS9 is not. However, the KS9 has a solution for both iPhones and Androids. The KS8 has a good program to adjust the quality of a streamed signal, mainly to boost the bass. It also has Own Voice Processing which allows it to identify the unique user’s voice out of all voices it “hears”. This lets it adjust the gain when the user is speaking. This in turn allows more closed fittings to be used, without causing an own voice problem. A second benefit is that it plugs into the 3D classifier, and allows the hearing aid auto program to adjust to 24 different listening situations. On the other hand the KS9 cell phone streaming method allows for hands free use of the phone. The KS8 is not really hands free. You have to hold it up to your mouth.

There are a few more differences, but I think they are both very credible aids.

Using a streaming cell phone is clearly the best way to hear when talking on the phone. The sound goes to both ears which gives you about a 3 dB gain in volume. Listening to a regular landline set as a speaker phone is not bad. The poorest is a regular land line held up to one hearing aid. That works, but is certainly not the greatest.

As far as needing steaming from a TV, I certainly have felt no need for that. But, that may depend on each individual’s “corrected” hearing level.

Hope that helps some,

1 Like
#17

You’re a great help Sierra, thanks :+1:

#18

Haha, HAD to reply brec, sorry! :smile: Your instincts were correct… I looked it up… ‘R’ is/was the phonetic alphabet shorthand for ‘Received’ as in “Roger Wilko” which means “Received - Will reply”

Anyway, it’s still a silly name IMHO… even more so if that’s it’s origin… (once more apologies to the inventor ‘Roger’ if that’s its true foundation…

Still silly names can be quite successful and hard to shake… Walkie Talkie is my personal favorite… Brian Regan - Walkie Talkie :rofl::joy::rofl:

#19

OK, the genie is out of the bottle. I will accept all blame for that.

“Roger, wilco” means “I have received and understood your last transmission [roger], and will comply [wilco].” “Wilco” is a positive response to a transmission that contains orders or instructions for action(s) to be taken by the recipient…

#20

Hearing aid reliability is something to consider. Seeing you wore aids for 10 years before looking for new ones brings up longevity. Searching this forum for hearing aid problems can help you with this. I do not want to open a can of worms about this. Some aids are better than others in this regard.

With all the choices for new hearing aids it can be challenging.

Whatever practices you have used with your old aids it would be wise to continue with your new aids.

Good luck