Opicon spirit zest

Hearing Aids
#1

Issued with these via the local NHS, only has 2 settings one for normal every day use and one to use with the loop system. Im having a lot of trouble using the telephone, it constantly whistles and i cant seem to find the right position with the phone. Anyone and tip or ideas what i can do.

Also ive tried looking online for info on the spirit zest, but cant seem to find much about them. Have they been discontinued, and the NHS is still dispencing ?

Volumme seems to have been set at full by the audi and i cant adust this, and i get a lot of background noise. can anyone give me idea on what i can do.

#2

It’s an nhs aid so you would need to find out the real name for it to find out information on it as nhs change their names of their aids.

Phone wise, Everytime I put something up to my ears, my aids whistle. The reason for me, is because my aids are so maxed out. You may need new moulds.

You can get a noise program on my aids which I’m sure you can on yours. I change to that program if it is noisy.

#3

The Aid is equivalent to the Oticon Acto (Pro?).

Most modern telephone handsets do not provide enough inductive effect to make the loop system work on hearing aids. Older handsets (and those on public call boxes) have coils built into the handset to improve the link. Specialist telephones will have them too, but for normal use, you might find that listening to ‘speakerphone’ is easier with your aid in its ‘normal’ setting.

#4

hi thanks for your reply, this is the name on the handbook ive been given Oticon Spirit zest. It only my first week, and i realise i have to stick at it, but not sure what I expected, but didnt realize it was going to be so hard. ( when i read the post you all seem to be so knowlegable, I feel I know so thick nothing)

Still trying with the telephone, maybe i will have to get a different landline phone that has telicoil built in. Other problems Im experiencing are, being in crowded places the noise is unbearable, how long should i give it before i go back to the Audi in the NHS. My HA is BTE with open dome

#5

Hi thanks for your reply, been looking at different landline phone, so yeah that might help, Im coping quite well at home and in the office, ( only my first week) but when to manchester yesterday, and couldnt stand it, was way to loud, will this easy or how long should i leave it before i go back and see what can be done. Can background noise be turned down without losing peoples voice’s, and how come you all have your readings are audi obliged to give this to you, all i know is ive lost mostly low tones and some high… sorry for all the questions, but its a very confusing place at the moment knowing what to do and what to expect

Thanks again…

#6

You can get a noise program on my aids which I’m sure you can on yours. I change to that program if it is noisy.

Like you experienced in Manchester!

You won’t loose speech if it’s set correctly.

You can ask for a copy of your audiogram. I’ve asked NHS Everytime I get a new test.

#7

thanks for that info, will ask for when i go back…and ask for the noise reduction

#8

I have looked up the Oticon Acto, which is 3rd in the lineup of

Oticon Aids and has facilities which I fear many NHS users do

not have access to.

Directional -Yes
User programs - 1-4
FM compatible - Yes
Telecoil - Yes
AutoPhone - Yes
Volume control - Yes
ConnectLine compatible - Yes
Cordless fitting - Yes

The church I attend has an excellent loop system. I find with

my privately purchased aids that I obtain superb speech clarity;

my friend who has Oticon Spirit Zest BTE from the NHS has

no volume control, no telecoil, one user program. The

push-button which could be used for adjusting volume up or

down, or when pressed for 2 seconds to toggle between 4

programs is not activated. The speech clarity he gets is vastly

inferior. I understand that the main differences between the

Acto and Acto Pro are the inferior noise reduction and

directionality.

The obvious thing to do is to go back to the NHS and to ask

whether his aid can be re-programmed. If my friend does this

will he get satisfaction, or bitter disappointment?

Incidentally, I am told that the NHS pays £55.52 for each of

these aids. They retail to private patients (from private

audiologists, with service) at £900+.

Problemsolver1
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Starkey X Series 70

#9

The use of programs and specific features is decided at the time of programming and may be subject to the individual trust, the audiologist and the assessment of the patient’s ability to use those programs.

How satisfied he is with the outcome will depend on lots of factors: not all of which can be remedied by twiddling some electronics in his ear.

The NHS gets the aids approximately ten times more cheaply than the private sector and it costs approximately £400-500 for the full patient journey (circa 2002), which you’ve already paid for through your national insurance contribution.

#10

Just a few comments on Um Bongo’s contributions - more
particularly on the entry dated 7th February rather than the
generalities dated 1st August.

It is true that most telephone handsets these days are not
compatible with a telecoil fitted to an aid, but compatible
phones are still available and if you need one you can get it at a
modest price. The point which Um Bongo has missed, and which
several audiologists I have dealt with have missed is that loop
systems are fitted in most churches, and in many Community
Halls in the UK. They are also frequently found in banks and
places where you are expected to communicate through a glass
screen, and at reception points in health centre clinics and
surgeries. My experience is that audiologists, when asking
patients about their lifestyles, do not find out how often the
patient is likely to find themselves in such situations. As a
result, the patient never finds out what a blessing the telecoil is
when you switch it on in these environments.

My first HA, acquired through the NHS about 15 years ago,
was analogue, but the “T” setting came with it as standard. The
NHS dispenser explained to me very clearly what it was and
when and how to use it. It isn’t difficult. I suspect that,
because telephone handsets are more often incompatible,
audiologists have assumed -without asking them - that patients
(particularly elderly ones?) no longer need to be briefed in this
way.

Problemsolver1
250 500 1000 1500 2000 3000 4000 6000 8000
L 30 20 30 50 65 65 70 90 ∆
R 25 25 35 50 50 50 100 100 ∆
Starkey X Series 70

#11

Loop systems are essential for lots of my clients. I’ve fitted a few in my time: the comments on the 2nd July were more to do with the lack of performance from many telephone handsets rather than the lack of need for a loop setting. IMHO; it’s essential as you say and public buildings should offer the facility for all customers.