#17

I was an Android user since 2011 (and a Windows Mobile Phone user before that). The advantage/disadvantage of Android is that every Android phone OEM gets to customize their brand of phones, and the result is a Forrest Gump box of chocolates: you never know for sure what you’re going to pull out. So, you could essentially be demanding that ReSound figure out the problem is with a Brand X, Model Y Android cell phone. In contrast, perhaps the problems are with an Android tweak the maker of a phone hasn’t even totally scoped out - I’ve had such problems with Samsung phones, and I’ve always considered them among the best.

Apple does have an advantage in being in ~total control of hardware and OS software running on an iPhone, but as various complaints about iOS/HA OEM problems on the forum show, you’re not guaranteed a trouble-free hardware/software experience with an iPhone and HA smartphone apps on an iPhone, either. Life is like a box of chocolates…

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#18

I went to iPhone from Nokia simply to get good connection from my HAs to the phone app (the manufacturer was a laggard when it came to connecting to Android phones).
I have not regretted this - it is very easy to discount the value of good no-problem connection

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#19

Thanks, Paul! I’m glad I started with iPhone. As you wrote, Android phones are usually the last to get apps.

#20

I was an Android user from the get go, untill I got my 1st set of Oticons that needed a seperate device hanging around my neck to connect to my cell phone. It didn’t work that well so I just had to put up with it for 3 years untill my insurance would help pay for some new aids again. So in 2018 I was getting ready to retire & lose my insurance to help cover cost of HA’s. I went to Costco and ended up getting the Bernafons which have been a very good decision for me along with switching to Apple. I can hear and understand phone calls as well as watching tv with the tv connector so I’m not blasting my wife out. But— I’m now starting to have some problems occasionally with my aids and will be going back to Costco some time soon to try out new aids. I saw last week in the store they have the Jabra’s or the Phillips for the same price so I’m very intrested in these opinions on here for each. I will probably ask the Costco person about them but I wonder if these “new” Phillips will be compatable with my tv connector or will I have to get a new one, and if so would I be better off to go with Jabra? Which ever one I go with I want to stay with battery operated so I don’t chance running out of power in a bad place or time. Thanks to everyone here for the comments and help thru the years.

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#21

For the record, my Jabras connected to my W’s iphone without a problem via both MFI and the Jabra app. My S20 5G is close enough to the S20 and S21 to connect pretty much as well as either, and I doubt that ReSound will fix the app quickly. I’ll wait a few days to see if I get a resolution from ReSound, but I think an iphone is in my future.

Thing is, I pretty much use my phone as a phone, so I hate to replace a 3 year old former top of line phone while it has plenty of use left in it. We bought a pristine iphone SE (2020) a few months ago for $130; now they’re more like $200. Bummer. Fortunately, we can spend the money.

#23

Only if you have Phonak aids that use Bluetooth classic. Most all other hearing aids use Bluetooth LE which cannot pair directly with Bluetooth classic devices. That is also why Phonak aids have a shorter rated runtime per charge compared to their major competitors.

3 Likes
#24

Thanks. Didnt know that. I use Bose Hearphones and they pair easily with all my Apple devices and my Sony TV.

#25

The bottom line is that no two hearing losses are the same. You can look at two audiograms side by side with similar losses results and those two individuals may hear differently and may choose completely different aids. So no one can answer which aid is best for you. Trialing all the aids that are available for the range of your loss is the ideal situation. Some audiologist allow that, some don’t, some will charge for the trial period. Costco provides an exceptionally long trial period but only one aid at a time and provides a full refund but I have read on this forum that it doesn’t always go smoothly. And not all Costco are the same. Remember, any new aid is going to be loud and possibly overwhelming at the beginning. The brain needs time to adjust and then the new aids will probably need further adjusting. So don’t jump to conclusions when you first try a new pair of aids. Also most states have mandatory trial periods although Costco always exceeds that. With my loss a trial period is almost required and fortunately I have an audiologist that allows that. Just take your time and wear the aids as much as you can. Even when you are in a quiet environment. You need time to get used to them. I don’t know if you have posted an audiogram but that would be really helpful for those with much more knowledge than me. Take your time. Many people here will tell you you are about to travel on a very treacherous road. Just take your time. One last point. No hearing aid will return your hearing back to normal. They help. They don’t fix

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#26

Apple devices have both Bluetooth and Bluetooth LE. I think they only use Bluetooth LE for MFi hearing aids.

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#27

This is a grand description! I’ve worn HAs for 20 years, and have bought a number of expensive aids over that time, as one can imagine. Five years ago I was finally able to discover the Costco “advantage”. I will keep all this in mind next time I buy a new pair. Thank you, Jim!

#28

I just ordered my first ever HA, Philips 9040 at Costco, without really trying it first, as seems to be suggested here. I did this because I have read many very positive reviews about the Philips. Also, I don’t believe that I can adequately judge a HA without it being adjusted for just me, over weeks and weeks. I was told that the Jabra is also very good, but I doubted that I could really judge it without the many tweaks I expect to need. I understand, if I’m dissatisfied with the Philips, I can return it within 6 months, and I would then order the Jabra. I’m comfortable doing this, but I don’t think everyone here would agree.

4 Likes
#29

I was told that they don’t have demos in the store to try? You have to buy them to try them.

#30

Actually, it’s 180 days.

However, if you are not satisfied within a couple months and you tried a couple of different hearing aid fitters, I don’t see much point of continuing with the same hearing aid brand.

To get the best results, take notes and bring them to your fitter when coming back for adjustments.

Note that Jabra now comes with auracast capability.

1 Like
#31

I had a 15 min demo at one point. But that was just that I’d walked in and hadn’t made an appointment in advance, so he didn’t have much time with me. (The 15 min demo convinced me I NEEDED hearing aids, btw. I had the current (at the time) version of philips about 2 and a half years ago.

6 months in the US and Canada to get full refunds. Even your membership fee if you want. I’ve been a customer for almost 25 years, and I have returned all sorts of things. Even without a receipt. They have a record of everything you buy. More than fair.

I have Phonak Audeo P90rs from the VA, so I don’t buy from Costco. But I might if the VA wasn’t taking care of me.

WH

2 Likes
#32

That’s true their return policy is amazing? 2000 Canadian for a back up pair of HA is manageable. I hope they work out.

#33

Told by a Costco HA department employee? I’ve bought 5 HAs from Costco, and I’ve been able to get in-store trials with multiple models each time. Once the specific model I was interested in wasn’t immediately available. I also was loaned a pair of current HAs while my almost-out-of-warranty aids were being refurbed.

Each in-store ‘test’ was set up in accord with my most recent audiogram.

One really needs weeks to get to know the pluses and minuses of an aid and its programming. That requires buying the aids.

IMO, there are too many choices and too many variables for anyone to know which HA is best for them. I think the goal is improve one’s hearing significantly - with ‘significant’ being in the ear of the beholder.

#34

I would have been offered a walk-around-the-store demo but the fitter and I agreed that without custom moulds (in my case) there wouldn’t be much point.

#35

I can ask again, they told me they don’t have any hearing aids in the store

#36

Jabra is made from resound. My first hearing aids. For me they sounded distorted and word recognition was difficult compared to oticon

#37

My wife and I are both shopping for hearing aids and we asked our local Costco in North Carolina for a demo of all three options (Jabra, Rexton and Philips) in the store, set up with our audiograms.

Since they were all tried out under the same circumstances we felt it might be helpful and it was. My wife likes the Philips and I like the Jabra EP 20, so those are the ones we will probably buy.

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