#31

I used the wrong terminology. I didn’t mean “branded” like sold under the Kirkland Signature name; I meant it like “made by Demant exclusively for Costco” (in North America).

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#32

I think @dennis_I may have misinterpreted the info on the Philip 9050 link that shows provider locations. I believe the 9050 page on the Philips website that we are all referring to is this:

At the bottom, this page includes a link to provider locations, but this link is labeled:
“We can help you find your closest hearing care specialist who can provide you with Philips HearLink hearing aids and help support you after ownership.” This isn’t specific to the availability of the 9050, it just links to a location finder for all providers of Philips hearing aids, ie all the Costcos with hearing aid departments in the USA. It doesn’t mean that the listed locations are suddenly carrying the new 9050s. In fact, my Costco is of course listed, and as mentioned above I had an apppointment yesterday and the HAS had never heard of the 9050 and had no idea when it might become available.

If I’m missing something or referencing the wrong link, please let me know!

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#33

Good correction. I can see how my Costco mention made one think that they already had the 9050s. My true interpretation was the 9050s will be available at Costco…when, not sure! So thanks! Clarity is good.

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#34

This link is to a Philips global brochure. If you scroll down to the bottom, it lists Global (English) under Location/Laguage. If you click on Global (English), it will bring up all of the countries in the world where Philips is sold. Clicking on United States English brings up a brochure which has no mention of the “50 miniRite”. I don’t know what this means, but it doesn’t give me the impression of an imminent release of a new product of the US - although something is clearly coming at some point this year.

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#35

Seeing as how Philips announced the 30s and 40s in consecutive Februaries with Costco getting them shortly after. Now the 50s got announced (in February). I’m willing to assume it will continue the pattern of coming out q1 or q2 latest this year

#36

I get the dreaded “mic” noise-floor type (constant) hiss from mine, checked via the “cup test”:

And so actually I probably will tell them the reason is that I can’t stand it and am hoping that problem is fixed in the updated 9050 model.

#37

One of the advertised features of the new Philips 9050 Hearing Aids is that they include Bluetooth LE Audio and will work with Auracast when that technology becomes more widespread. I’m assuming that - since Auracast is not currently available most places - these HAs also include Telecoil. However I don’t see that specified anywhere. Does this seem like a reasonable assumption?

#38

No need to be anything but honest. All you have to say is, ‘I’d like to try out the 9050s.’ You’ve got 2 ways to do that, maybe more. You can return your Jabra 20s for a refind and buy the 9050s, or you can keep the 20s for a while, purchase the 9050s, and return the pair you don’t want.

The 180 day return period allows returns for any reason; no need to create a false picture. I initially bought rechargeable Pro 10s. Then I misplaced my charger and decided I wanted the disposable battery version. The return of the 1st pair was totally hassle-free.

#39

I’m wondering the same. My 180 day trial will be over on July 5th.
Is there any compelling reason to try for the 9050’s?
What features will they have over the 9040?

#40

The 9050 has 2 key new features: the improved AI Noise Reduction module and the use of accelerometers to track head movements to translate to when to apply the appropriate signal to noise ratio to improve speech or when not to.

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#41

FWIW, I just spoke to customer support at Philips USA. They have not yet received any notice about the new 9050 hearing aid, and the rep told me they would normally be notified about a month before a new hearing aid actually becomes available at Costco.

Incidentally, @Volusiano I think some folks would consider the addition of Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast also to be key new features of the 9050.

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#42

Yes, I agree that Auracast would be a key new feature as well. Thanks for pointing that out.

#43

As a glasses wearer, the smaller form factor is a compelling reason for me.

#44

There weren’t a lot of features added to the 9040s compared to the 9030s, and I didn’t find the 9030s much better than my 9010s. The 9040s sounded a lot better, though. The 9050s may not be much better than the 9040s, but then again, they may be. You probably have to wait 2-4 months - maybe it’ll be worth it, maybe not.

#45

What are Android TM devices?

#46

Have Auracast and the accelerometers is worth the wait if you want hands free calling. So I would wait even though these new things are likely going to be buggy for a while.

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#47

Watched a video about the Oticon Intent yesterday and it was mentioned that although they are shorter the new model will also be wider. So assuming the Philips will be the same, I’m starting to wonder if the “smaller” form factor could actually be a detrimental change for people who wear glasses? You’d think that surely they must have considered this as part of their design process?

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#48

Maybe glasses wearer can order a slightly longer receiver wiring harness so that they can have the aid slightly lower than before as to not get in the way with the temple parts of the eyeglasses.

I know it really depends on the eyeglasses’ fitment on a person’s head, but generally the temples would rest on top of the ears, so I don’t see how a little bit wider aid would no longer allow the temple to rest on top of the ears. The only thing a wider body aid can do is push out the ear a little bit, but I just don’t see how the temple’s placement would be affected by a wider body aid.

#49

Ah yeah sorry I wasn’t clear there: I’m mainly concerned about it pushing out against my ear more than it already does.

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#50

Last week I purchased the 9040s and the specialist didn’t mention anything about a new 9050. I’ll ask him about it when I return for my checkup. Although I really like the 9040s that replaced my 6-year old Widex HAs, I’ll probably try the 9050s if they’re available during my 9040 trial period.

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