I posted this at the end of another thread, but got no response.
I have a question about the occlusion effect of the Soundlens, or other IICs. I have pretty normal hearing through 1.5K. I’ve been having tons of problems with open domes migrating out of my ear with my RIC hearing aids. When seated right, they sound great… when they migrate, they sound very tinny. My wife (and probably my staff) is tired of me poking my finger in my ears. Finally, I had custom ear molds made. Even though they tried to have as big a vent as possible, they are very occluding and I lose that low bass and clarity in music.
Does the Soundlens or other IICs do the same thing? I like the thought of the IIC if they can fit and stay well positioned. How much does it occlude the sound of the lower frequencies? With open fit, my music program is great at filling in the clarity at the high frequencies (love hearing the shakers and cymbals again) and my natural hearing does the rest.
How does the Soundlens do in that situation? If music is important to me, does that rule out any IIC device? Or is there one better then another?
I have never worked with IIC hearing aids, but I see no reason why you shouldn’t get the occlusion effect from them, or at least I would expect nearly as good results as with an RIE.
IMO, the proper fitting is a RIE/RIC hearing aid. I think you just need to maybe work with them a little bit more. How long did you wear them? How many times did your specialist change the tips or length of the tubing? I am talking about in an open fitting, not with the earmold.
At times when I have a patient with the problem you are having I go to an earmold with a large vent. It usually works. In your case it doesn’t. If there are other options with an open fit, I would try those first. It sounds like you are happy with that, when the tip stays in the correct place.
I’ll second going back to a RIC/closed dome (not earmolds) configuration with different receiver sizes to see if another might offer better retention. Also, you’ll want to verify that the professional you’re working with isn’t removing (or is adding) a “retention clip” that tucks into the rear of your ear to help hold it in place.
I appreciate both of your comments. I am a very active HA user. Much of my day is spent meeting with people; one-to-one, small and large groups, restaurants, international travel (the HAs make a huge difference in speaking to people with accents). So, with my mouth and body moving all the time, it’s been a struggle. Have an appointment later this week again. Am going to send back the custom molds to rework them and open them up as much as possible, but that won’t be a solution. I put my own retention locks on a couple weeks ago and they help a bit, but the problem is still not solved. The next longer wire seemed too long, but I’m going to have my audi try several things. She’s been good to work with, but I’m kind of like the screeching chalk on a chalkboard.
I was just wondering if the Soundlens, or Oticon Intiga might be deep enough to stay put (and they’re out of sight) but still give me good balanced hearing and allow the natural lower frequencies I enjoy normally (and in an open fit) to flow through.
It’s been frustrating, but the HAs have been a world changer in my work - I won’t do without them ever again!
Will let you know how it goes after Thursday. I just started using HAs 4 months ago, but it is so critical that I would be willing to change just to get it settled. Thanks again for your posts…
Just wanted to add an update. I’m going to post a question on another thread. But, we went to a longer wire length, small open dome, which gives me the best openness, and I’m doing a little better. However, the longer wire pops up over my ear - and farther out of my ear, so it is much more noticeable. The HA slips farther back on my ear - sometimes too far (I wear glasses so if I adjust the glasses, the HA and wires move). There is no other size in the middle of the two, so a little less migration out of the ear, but now the fiddling is with the position of the unit and the wire over the ear. The shorter wire creates enough tension to increase the receiver migrating out of the ear.
Good to hear you’re making progress. Not sure what brand of RIC you’re in, but some of the manufacturers also make half-sized and custom sized receivers. If you think that might help you should ask the professional you’re working with to inquire if such options are available. This isn’t heavily publicized by the manufacturers (I’m not sure why not) so the person you’re working with might not be aware of their existence.
Another options to consider would be trying another brand of RIC. Different manufacturer’s RICs usually fit just a little bit differently (different canal depths and receiver sizes).
Lastly, if you find one that is a good fit, but don’t like how the tube bends it is possible for your professional to custom fit the receiver wire to your ear. This is typically done by reshaping the receiver wire using a hair dryer (while it’s outside of your ear). Not something we frequently have to do, but one more trick you could ask your professional about if you feel like it might be a suitable option for you.
I am currently trialing the new Oticon Intiga 10 IIC. The problem I have is that the HA migrates away from my ear drum. Jaw movement just walks it right out. When I hold it in place with my little finger I can really hear well; it just doesn’t stay there unless I hold it.
Next week I will be comparing this with the Starkey Soundlens, the Starkey came from the factory with a bizarre fit, we sent it right back with another ear mold impression. My audi is letting me compare the Intiga with the Soundlens.
I just ordered the Soundlens, so I’m also very interested in what you find out in your comparison. I was told you could put a small canal lock on the IIC HA’s. It’s a little tab like thing, I think, that is supposed to help it from “migrating” out of it’s place. My should have that, I’ll let you know if it works.
This is why I think the new Persona Olé is such a clever design. No occlusion effect and a concha retention ring that works to keep the thing in situ. I’m suprised other manufacturers don’t offer anything similar.
Just a quick update. I had deep impressions made a week or so ago. Set up a deal to work through the same company I processed my health insurance through to get the insurance company discount on my initial pair of Sonic Flips, which have been swapped for the Intiga mini-BTE, which I’m fairly happy with. I decided to go with the Intiga I deep canal aids because I figured the sound signature would be close to the same. Just heard from Intiga. The bend in one ear is too small, so they can’t fit me with the Initiga I. So, now we’re going to try the Starkey Soundlens. Anyone else have success with the Soundlens fitting where the Intiga fitting wouldn’t work?
Can’t speak directly to the Intiga, but can tell you Starkey is able to do some pretty amazing things to make the Soundlens work for you. My canals were narrow by the Starkey standards. They were able to custom make a set for me. By all means give them a try.
So, how do you like them? Do they migrate in your ears? Do low frequencies come through? Was hesitant about the Soundlens… only goes to 6Khz, where the Intigas go to 10Khz, although they drop fast after 8k… My Sonics went to 6Khz. I can really hear the difference in music with the extended highs… which is on all the time around my place.
I just want to throw in my two cents about Starkey and their molds. Starkey has, by far, the best mold lab in the country. No one else can come close. I’m currently trying out the new Starkey 3 110 and comparing it to the Widex and Phonak. Overall I don’t think I will go with the Starkey. But I do love their custom molds.
Still tweeking the sound, but all in all, I like them. I put them in and pretty much forget they’re there. Music and TV could be better. I hate to say anything negative about the sound, as we’re still working on it. It’s way better then it was out of the box so I feel confident we’ll get them dialed in.
I have some exeriences fitting Intiga RITE & IIC and other major brands
if your ear canal is too small, then there’ll be problems in comfort and occlussion, regardless of brand, so you REALLy should compare the overall rating of aids when moulds are properly resolved.
@MWP: if the receiver moves too much, I’d recomm you use the ear grip - a little plastic tail holding in the concha bowl, very effective in all my cases; also a correct length of reciever should be used; a larger open dome also helps more, with similar openess
