Good question. I suppose that, given the photo below, the MAV receiver is too large for such curved earmolds, so that its output is directly in front of the eardrum and not the canal wall…
Can anyone tell me how the size of the Phonak Sphere compares with my current Oticon Engage 85 please?
Nenen_UK, I don’t have any Oticons (I trialed the Intent, but turned it back in), However, I did lay my 2 Phonaks next to the new Sphere and found:
- 312-battery Lumity Life - SMALLEST by FAR; also gives me 5 days of battery life
- rechargeable Lumity Life - about 12% bigger than the 312s thanks to “waterproofing”; battery only gives me 15 hrs/day of use
- Spheres - GONZO, about 25% bigger than my 312s and the least battery life of all.
I know you may find my comparison vague, but that’s how the Sphere stacks up against other Phonak models out there. Hope others chime in!
3 Likes
although I’ve not seen them next to any HA type I have, it seems to be the width (thickness) of the Sphere that seems excessive. This could be an issue with those that have ears.
1 Like
Well- for someone like me who is familiar with HA sizes in the 60s and 70s, the shape of the new Phonak models are not too much of an issue.
8 Likes
The size of the Engage is bigger then the new Phonak Infinio Sphere , as the Engage is a BTE , where the new Phonak Spere is a RIC.
And for the Phonak you do not need an extra audio shoe and an Roger receiver attached to the aid.
Whereas for the Engage you need to attach an special battery door that you can attach an shoe and onto the shoe you attach an extra Roger receiver. So the Engage becomes very bulky behind the ears, if you want to use a Roger microphone.
5 Likes
While I’d toyed with the idea of a facelift at my age, perhaps an EAR extension would make more sense. 
3 Likes
I live in Montreal Canada. I got a quote from my Audi for the top of the line sphere for Cdn $7800, 3 year warranty plus one free accessory. Is this a fair price. I trialed Starkey Genesis top of the line and they were around $6200 so there is quite a bit difference. Please send private message if required. Thank you.
No it’s not a “fair” price, do you have to have Phonak? because you can get premium models from your local Costco for around$1600 or so which is more realistic.
1 Like
Thanks for pointing this out. However, this option is not available in our Province. Costco is not allowed (or does not want to) to sell hearing aids in Quebec. Audis are not licensed to fit hearing aids only audioprothésiste are allowed. This somehow screws up the Costco business model. I can travel to Ottawa in Ontario (5 hours travelling time back and forth plus other costs) but it is not convenient for me if it involves multiple trips to fit and subsequent trips for adjustments. Remote fitting option is unavailable.
It’s not predatory. Given the range in pricing from the manufacturer to the clinic and service pricing and different location costs, you’ll probably see the sphere range from 6500-9500 CND? So that’s middling and if the service is high quality it’s pretty good. In Ontario you get $1000 off of that from our provincial program. I’m not sure what Quebec might have.
2 Likes
I’ve been trialing the I90s for about a week now. Using Power Domes. Current aids are L90s.
I am experiencing only marginal improvements here and there. Last night at my Pool League the Spheric program activated most of the evening. It did make hearing nearby voices somewhat easier and clearer. But nothing like the demonstration video on the Phonak website. I have a different Pool League tonight and a restaurant dinner Wednesday night. We’ll see how they go. But current thoughts are that upgrading is not worth the expense.
2 Likes
IIRC, on the website there was closed fitting, that may make quite a difference.
Interesting that a few people don’t notice a difference with the Spheric Noise AI program. I am using double domes with P receivers. It could be that people with more open fittings don’t see as big of an improvement as people with closed fittings. Not sure…
Jordan
6 Likes
I’ve found my spheres quite good and improving as I get used to wearing them. The most severe tests so far have been shopping in a busy Tesco (supermarket) and my monthly book club in a pub in Abingdon.
In both situations I was able to hear those with me (make out the words) better than I was able to with the Lumity L90’s (but I’ve only been wearing aids for a couple of months).
1 Like
Well we have pretty similar hearing loss, you hear a difference, I barely don’t. I mean I can hear it when it switched because the sound is different but I don’t see a bigger improvement to the normal speech in noise program. I use slimtips that are nearly closed.
From which hearing aids are you comming from?
1 Like
I was wearing Lumity L90’s. The Sphere’s are awesome in heavy noise. I notice a huge difference.
Jordan
2 Likes
I trialed the L90 and now trialing the sphere. For me there is little difference and I’m in a vented dome. I’m having other issues with the domes so Looking at trying active vent or custom mold. Maybe that will make a bigger difference. I have been enjoying your reviews on the other thread.
2 Likes
Well, hopefully they are better, otherwise Phonak wouldn’t do their job.
Mostly it sounds much better, because a) your old one was not adjusted to your hearing loss now, b) because they no longer function properly due to age.
Have you really noticed a big difference in understanding in noise and the spheric speech? For me both have worked fine, and there was no gain with spheric.