Thanks a lot tshea05. I’ve always been with phonak, and I think i’ll stay with them. Not to mention that their hearing aids are higher end than the Siemens.
I’m trying to find out more technical info on the Phonak though.
Are you sure about the seals? My audiologist claimed that Phonak guaranteed water resistency. She could be wrong though.
I actually spoke with a Phonak rep today (I’m an Audiologist). She stated that the water resistance between the two companies are essentially the same, but the dust resistance is better compared to Siemens. These hearing aids work best if you use custom molds with the thick tubing and not open fit or receivers. With open fit or receivers, water can get in to the hearing aids through that tubing possibly and the receivers have electronics into it.
You have to send in the HAs to Siemens once a year to check the seals, however, that is not necessary with Phonak. The only thing they suggest is to have the mic protectors replaced once a year which can be done by your Audiologist or HIS.
Previously I stated that the Naida CRT aids shouldn’t be submerged under water because the receivers themself are not water resistance. The rep today stated that if you get a custom cShell made with the receivers you could technically go under water but she still advised that problems could occur.
Having the option of water resistance is great for hearing aids, however, they are not perfect yet. I am sure over the next few years, the technology will improve tremendously.
Did you find out if Phonak will honor warranty replacements due to water damage?
I have looked into this and one of the main factors to consider is the effect of the water on the life of the hearing instrument. The IP tests do not take into account what happens to the hearing instrument after it has been submerged in water. So will the hearing aid corrode three weeks after being submerged in water? Also the submersion test is static and not under rushing water etc…the Test is extremely limiting in giving an idea of how products will truly perform when used as intended…but its the only test available to hold them to a standard.
The Siemens product has been on the market for about a year and none of the clients that swim with the hearing instruments or not have reported problems with water or corrosion and one pair even went thought a washing machine with no damage (confirmed by the tech)
I chased up the Phonak rep in my area and he told me it is only water resistant and not water proof and he did not recommend swimming in the product.
I would be interested to see the reports on swimming with the Phonak products. Ill ask some of my friends in the industry if they have had patients try them out.
sailing… salt water or fresh?
Not to mention that their hearing aids are higher end than the Siemens. really?
I was also wondering how they came to that conclusion.
Erm, wow, just checked back on this post. Sorry.
Salt water (I know, makes it more complicated)
And I meant that the hearing aids that phonak claims are waterproof in their range are higher end (Ambra M H20) than the hearing aids that siemens claims are waterproof in their range (Aquarius).
Would these assumptions be invalid?
I believe siemens DO HAVE a swimming program, and are actually submergible
Aquaris is a fairly BIG instrument
I was watching a siemens testing video and they subjected the aids to 360 pressure washer “passed”. video claimed pass, no way to know for fact, if they actually passed. What they did do was open the battery compartment and it was bone dry same with submerging test.
I had heard that these waterproof hearing aids were actually having troubles with the batteries because the Zinc-Air batteries require continuous oxygen in order to remain functioning. If you submerse the batteries and start preventing the oxygen from getting to the battery, then it may not break from water ingress, but it will also stop functioning after a time…
Just something I heard, so I can’t say much more than that. However, my first thought is that I wouldn’t really want to take my hearing aids swimming because I would be scared of losing them in the water! I’d hate to forget about them when doing activities behind a boat!
These wouldn’t need to be surbmerged for more than 10 seconds or so at maybe a foot or two. The problem with the Aquarius is definitely the lack of power. I’ve for profound hearing loss (94 dba) so that may complicate things.
I just got back from the audiologist and purchased the Phonak H2Os. While I am not planning on swimming or sailing with them, I suspect I will be out on a golf course when it rains and will get wet. The brochure says to “rinse them off with fresh water” after they are exposed to water.
It will take two weeks to get in. I can’t wait!
After reading this thread, I am interested in knowing what the Naida rate is as to water resistant. Does anyone know, I’ve had a look but can’t find anything.
Can someone give me a link to Phonak H2O that is suitable for profound? Again I cant find anything for profound, just mild, mod.
Thanks.
With your numbers, the Naida is still the best answer: speaking to Phonak the other day, most of the Naida ‘water resistance’ features accounted for the development of the H2O - silicone seals, hermetically sealed circuit, mic/speaker screens etc.
I’m still not 100% on the H2O as the first pair I fitted died after several immersions - less than a metre under water (on the head of a Kayaker in a pool). Static baropressure might have been a bit higher than 1 metre as his head hit the water, but not a lot.
h t tp : / / w w w.phonak.com/uk/b2c/en/home.html
WaterResistant solutions, just below where they tell you not to buy their product from internet providers.
I find Phonak’s claims confusing. They keep on and on using the words “water resistant” which makes me think they have some fear or other of going all out and saying “waterproof” which the Siemens product does. The Phonak model also seems to be lacking a new Secure n Stay for the new body shape so that they don’t simply fall off when you go swimming, which is something that Siemens do supply with the Aquaris. Siemens also mention a special swimming earmould, which Phonak do not, which again makes me think that swimming was not uppermost in their minds. A flick through their brochures gives you paddling, splashing in puddles, frolicking in the rain. The Aquaris brochure gives you full on swimming and showering, it’s far more in your face. Although Phonak do say yes you can swim in them, I would be concerned that they would not honour any warranty repair based on swimming in them because the brochure information does not encourage you to do so. And with the lack of a clip or snuggie of any kind I’d be worried about them dropping off and falling into deep water which they are not rated for. Until I see more stories of people swimming in them regularly without any issues or stories of people making successful warranty claims after swimming then I don’t think I’m ready to sign on to Phonak’s offering. A pain, as I hated Siemens’ processing.
Um Bongo,
I have Nadias now and am in my trial period. Would the Aquarius be sufficient with my numbers?
I’d stick with what you have TBH.I’m not sure why you are on the Naida rather than the H2O, but perhaps it’s to give more battery life.
The Aquaris has a couple of noted issues: Firstly the snapping of the battery drawer and secondly having a return to base annual service - I think that’s really poor.
I should point out that the failed Ambra H2O (above) were on a slim tube fitting to a double dome. The replacement pair have been fine. I was informed by the rep that their water resistance claims are based on a sealing full mould in the ear - not the slim-tube version.
So i just got the aquaris about 2 months ago, what should i look for for problems or such?
Do you know of any aps for iphone to make it a remote control?
Anything you can attach to aid to help find them if lost?
Tim
he means to keep the warranty in place you need to send them in and have the seals replaced once a year.