#7

Changing heavily decreased battery is something covered by the guarantee, so if it’s still valid, go for it!

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#8

How long have you had your earmold? Perhaps there is acoustic feedback that is unnoticeable because of the anti-feedback WhistleBlock, which is switched on continuously and drains a lot of energy.

Please attach your audiogram. Perhaps you have a silicone dome that is broken or simply insufficient to prevent feedback (the latter is less likely because of the acoustic feedback test performed by the audiologist before every fitting visit).

1 Like
#9

I don’t have an ear mould but domes. There is a bit of whistling/ tinkling in one ear, from the hearing aid not from my own hearing: is that what you mean?

I’m afraid I don’t know how to attach my audiogram: what kind of file is needed? It shows typical age-related mild to moderate hearing loss

#10

Continuous whistling? Oh my, this is feedback, it drains battery a lot! Try replacing the dome first. I think the most reliable option is probably an earmold such as the Phonak cShell with AOV.

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#11

It is not continuous whistling but an occasional whistle in the left ear only. If that is the cause of the battery issue would it affect the batteries on both sides or just the affected side?

Thank you for the audiogram link.

#12

It’s feedback, certainly not a flat battery or anything, the left side dome or mold is leaking sound out depending on how much movement in the ear canal, chewing, turning your head from side to side, yawning etc can cause it to kick off.

2 Likes
#13

Mechanism:
feedback occurs —> whistling → antifeedback WhistleBlock activate → whistling decline to zero BUT Whistleblock is still activated → still excess battery draining.

If you fix the cause of the feedback, WhistleBlock will not need to be activated and will not drain the battery.

On the affected side it certainly is, but Lumities are coupled (e.g. StereoZoom 2.0, Smart Speech, Motion Sensors etc.), so probably on the other side too. However, I am not sure about opposite side.

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#14

WhistleBlock is independent, each side can be adjusted, no feedback= no WhistleBlock, it’s very little battery use anyway.
Phonak rechargeable batteries are a known issue, they don’t last long regardless, master slave streaming is another massive battery hog, thank god they have this sorted with LE Audio now.

3 Likes
#15

My L90s will be two years old in a few weeks. The battery life on both started declining dramatically over the past 3 months. They used to reliably last from 6 am to 11 pm or later (17+ hours) including 1-2 hours of streaming from my phone. Recently I would start getting the beeps around 7 or 8 pm (13 hours or so) even without much streaming.

We sent them out under warranty and I just got them back yesterday. I’m assuming they replaced the batteries in them. Today I used them from 7 am and streamed for at least an hour and they are currently at 18% and 33% - 17 hours later.

#16

Nice work, yeah there’s a few variables involved,but still it’d be nice for a guaranteed 24 hours at least from Phonak, the Signia do 40 and Oticon quote 24 (Real) and 20 for (Intent) Resound 30 (Omnia)

1 Like
#17

That is very interesting, thank you. If the whistle disappears entirely, does that mean that
a) the cause of the whistle may still be present but Whistleblock is suppressing it or
b) the problem causing of the whistle is solved.
That is, if Whistleblock is being activated would one hear at least some whistling?

#18

When you say they have this sorted with LE Audio, do you mean that replacement Phonak L90 batteries have that upgraded type of bluetooth?

#19

I interpreted it as: Future versions (infinio and beyond) will not have the battery consumption issues due to BT Classic when they are paired to devices using LE Audio.

WH

1 Like
#20

Under normal conditions the batteries should last 2 years, get replaced under warranty, last 2 more years. Get new aids every 4 years. Not a bad schedule.

#21

As been mentioned, I meant with LE Audio now available on Phonaks new platform you won’t have the excessive battery drain of bluetooth classic.

And to answer

A. Yes could well be possible, but unlikely, get the leakage sorted as best as possible, get custom molds made.

B. No not likely, always best to treat the cause and not the symptoms if possible.

Does the HA kick off if turned on and placed on a flat surface? is it possible to post your audogram.

2 Likes
#22

Sorry, I think 2 years is terrible for rechargeable batteries, and 4 years total life is also poor. These devices aren’t cellphones, they cost a fortune, which many can’t afford at all. Another reason to stay with disposable batteries.
Peter

3 Likes
#23

I think it’s more than 2 years, because some said 3 years is the battery warranty. but that claim needs to be verified.

The batteries can be replaced even after the warranty, I’ll just drum up the price of $300, I’m not sure exactly how much it costs to change the battery. With phonak, I must say that they don’t change the batteries, they replace the entire hearing aid with a new one. I think they figured it was cheaper for them to manufacture a new one than spend more hours repairing or replacing the battery. The battery is normally soldered to the motherboard and unfortunately it is very difficult to change without breaking something.

If a simpler battery change is an important characteristic, before buying new hearing aids, let the focus be on the manufacturer that enables this.

#24

How do they deal with any installed Roger Licenses?

#25

You mean dealing during replacing HAs? I think they use Roger installer and “empty” RogerX receiver (without Roger licence). They then transfer the licence from RogerX to the new HA.

#26

Thanks for the answer. I didn’t know WhistleBlock uses a small amount of energy. My former provider said he and his colleagues measured the energy drain during feedback, and it was significant.