I currently have the Phonak Audeo YES IX hearing aids which were purchased quite a while back. They’re extremely small and utilize the RIC/RIE style. They use size 312 battery.
In looking at the 61 and 62 RIE Linx2 (I’ve seen a couple of instructional videos as well as photos), the 62 is clearly much larger than the 61 (I know it also has direct audio input and telecoil, both of which I don’t require).
My current hearing aid could be larger without changing the visibility. I also plan to stream a lot and use Bluetooth features and the size 13 battery would clearly be more convenient and that comes with the 62 Linx2.
Is the size difference in real life between the two models dramatic or more of a bump up?
Any advice?
Oh! Should I opt for the 9 or 7 version? I am only purchasing one hearing aid. Most of the features in the 9 are for binaural connectivity. However, there are a couple that don’t deal with this that the 9 has (Resound uses Ultimate/Advanced, etc. ratings to indicate how “good” each feature is too for the models).
Well, if you aren’t going with two, regardless of 5/7/9, you’ll probably get close to the same experience. The advanced features rely too on two aids to a great extent.
If you are on the phone a lot and have a recent Apple product, you can stream to it and adjust the aids using it. Going with the 62 would give you longer battery life but be larger. Much of that is personal choice.
If you are anywhere near a Costco and even if you don’t want to use them for your purchase, you can make a free appointment for a hearing test. After the test, you can try an aid that is almost the same as the LyNX2. There KS6 is a LiNX (1). They will let you walk about the store with the aids set to your prescription. You can remove the one at times and compare the results. The Costco aid would be the same as an 8 – missing the tinnitus feature of the 8.
The above should give you a good reference to features with and without 2 aids. There is no cost and you should leave there that day better informed.
You seem to have 2 concerns: 1) Size and 2) Battery Life. I had LiNX 9, form factor 61, instruments with the 312 battery for a little over a year and upgraded to LiNX2 9, form factor 62, instruments with the 13 battery. I stream to the iPhone, 2 TVs and a mini-mic. On a light day, I stream at least 2 hours. When I’m on the tractor or turf mower (105 db with blade running), I plug the vent in the custom earmolds, mute the mics in the LiNX2 and stream music. This gives me external sound suppression and the iPhone still rings through to the HAs.
With the LiNX I rarely got more than 3 days out of the 312 batteries. With the LiNX2, I get 5-6 days out of the 13 batteries. If you don’t stream much, I understand that the 13 will go 10-12 days.
With regard to size, yes, the 62 form factor is a little larger than the 61. Unlike the 61 it has the ability to change volume with the button, which is handy if your iPhone is not around. You don’t notice the size difference after a day or two. So, in my opinion, the 62 form factor with the 13 battery is the way to go.
If you really want to see the difference in size, make an appointment with an audiologist who sells ReSound. Since they are mostly tied to a medical practice, insurance/Medicare will pay for the visit and the audiology test/report.