My KS9s are 3 1/2 yrs old, and my SN hearing loss has declined enough that their aids can no longer be adjusted more at the higher frequencies. Even the Costco tech said there was nothing more he could do, and thought that none of his Costco HAs would improve my word recognition. So, I had a new audiogram done at an ENT clinic, and they had me see a CI specialist for an eval.
The CI eval was very thorough. It was the first time I had ever been tested in a booth with my HAs on, and with another set of HAs, pre tuned to my audiogram. She said she thought the KS9s were “tuned” extremely well by the Costco tech, and that CIs were not recommended yet, but newer tech HAs were. The CI specialist has no skin in what manufacturer’s HA I select, but thinks the Phonak Paradise would be a best fit.
My question: Costco sells Phonak Brio series for about $2000 less per pair than the cost I’ve been quoted on the Paradise. What is the difference between them? The Phonak rep gets no commission from a Costco sale, and told me the brio chip was 5 yrs older than the Paradise. And the private audi said the Paradise only comes with a 1 yr warranty, not 3 yrs from Costco.
This is a big decision for me. I could demo both of them concurrently (different “dealers”), but I don’t know how noticeable a difference I could detect. I want better word recognition, especially in social gatherings. I want to be able to understand speech in live theater settings, movies, etc. and I want to return to live music venues, which I enjoy immensely, and miss. Especially symphony and small acoustic gatherings.
This site is fantastic, and I really appreciate all responses.
Am a little confused. I think you mean you have been advised to upgrade to a Phonak Naida Paradise i.e. a superpower aid?
If this is the case, then you want a superpower in the Brio line - which I think is the Brio 4. But this is a BTE based on the Naida Marvel and not the Naida Paradise.
I believe (and I could be wrong) that the Brio 5 will probably be the one based on the Naida Paradise, and then you would be looking at an aid that is very similar. Otherwise you are comparing newer tech - the Phonak Naida Paradise to the Brio 4 (older tech). But as far as I know the Costco Brio 5 is not out yet and I don’t know the launch date.
Edit: See post from @Raudrive below - Brio 5 is available now.
I’m confused too. The KS9 which OP has is a RIC which is similar to Phonak Marvel. If audiologist is recommending a Phonak Paradise RIC, I don’t that he is going to notice much difference. For speech in social gatherings, I’d suggest the addition of a Phonak Roger On iN microphone. I’m not sure anything is going to improve music compared to KS9. Is audiologist recommending a BTE (like Brio) or RIC (like KS9 and KS10) (KS10 is similar to Paradise) OP’s audiogram suggests a RIC could be adequate, although some people prefer BTE.
I believe you are talking about the Brio 5 for profound hearing losses at Costco. It is the 675 battery aid based on the Phonak Paradise generation. Attached Costco Brio literature. https://www.costco.com/phonak.html
Good for you getting a CI evaluation. It’s the best way to know and understand your situation concerning your hearing loss. If you are really having a difficult time hearing with the KS9 aids with the correct receivers it might be worth getting a second opinion CI evaluation. I went through Cochlear and found a different audiologist for testing. This proved I really was a candidate for implants.
Is the audiogram on your profile your most recent one? can’t see why the KS9 couldn’t be adjusted to meet those hearing levels - there are a number of different receiver strengths as well as putting a mould on the device rather than a dome to get more power out of the devices. That being said, The KS10 may be a better option for you still, as the technology is newer, but in terms of your audiogram I would think the KS9 would have more than enough power if set up with the correct receivers and mould