Both hearing aids are manufactured by the Sonova group. and both use the same PRISM chip.
Unitron has something interesting, the technological level can be upgraded later. I just don’t know, is the upgrade price lower later?
I’ve heard from some that Phonak is a better class than Unitron but it’s still unclear what’s worse about Unitron compared to Phonak.
What are your experiences?
I’ve also heard from some one advantage of Unitron, is that people can raise their technological level at home on their own, but that’s just current use. For example, it lasts up to 2 weeks and then it needs to be repeated again. For a permanent solution it is necessary to go to an audiologist, who must probably enter some code in order for it to be permanent.
Is this true? Unitron Aids can have the technology level changed by the audiologist but the trial Aids only last 6 weeks before you have to go back to the audiologist.
I’ll chime in… I have both Unitron D Moxi Jump 9 RT HAs and the Phonak Audeo Paradise P90s… have found I much prefer the P90s… to me they are just smoother in operation, change of programs, the app is MUCH better than the Unitron app… and it could just be the fittings but they are just cleaner sound. I keep the Unitrons knowing that nothing lasts forever and when my P90s die someday I can change over the the Unitrons… but for now LOVE the Phonaks.
I heard that detail, I don’t know for sure. Someone told me that Unitron has it differently, they do not use the Demo version of the hearing aid, but give the opportunity to test the hearing aid by software raising the technological level and someone on one forum told me that it can be up to 2 weeks, and that he had to refresh his unitron hearing aid software before that deadline, to stay at that level because otherwise there would be a shutdown or continuous interference like some beep or something.
He could not do it permanently.
That is a problem for me in Croatia. The company that sells Phonak / Unitron does not provide a demo version. I said I want to try Phonak Paradise (Naida Paradise UP) and here I am waiting 3 months to get in line to try it out. They put me on a rehearsal list, and the list seems to be long. And when it’s my turn, I’ll just have a chance to try for a week, they don’t give any more.
And unitron I didn’t mention, first my goal is just to try Phonak. I actually wanted to hear more experience here from people who have tried both brands that share the same chip (PRISM).
Unitron has had the upgrade tech option for quite some time. My 5 year old Moxi Fit’s have this, so I had purchased the level below pro as they regularly run promotions to upgrade 1 level for free. So my aids got upgraded to Pro and went from a 2 year to a 3 year warranty. What’s always seemed crazy is that the chips in all these aids are the same and capable of the top tech level, but they just dumb down the lower models and lockout features. Seems crazy.
Yeah, but what’s crazy to me is that the manufacturing cost of the aids is exactly the same regardless of which level you choose, but the retail price difference between the lowest and highest tech level is well over $1K.
Right, but you need a low priced aid to serve those who can’t afford more and also a low priced aid for the “bait and switch” “Come in, new hearing aids from only 900 dollars!”. So you go in and they tell you yeah we have 900 buck aids but they don’t do this or that, not as customizable, etc. Then the biggie “These work great if you just sit at home by yourself and read books but if you go shopping , listen to music, audiobooks,watch TV, have friends or relatives over, etc. you NEED the 2500 dollar model.” Skillfull types go for the juggler with impunity, " Ever go to the grandkid’s soccer games? Or see them for a big family Thanksgiving? You really need the advanced options for those cherished moments" So in the end, he paid 300 bucks for the 500 dollar HA and 1000 dollars for the 2500 HA, the manufacturer made a higher profit margin for the premier aid as well.
Nothing wrong with it either - we WANT those features and they really help pay to improve the product in the long run. The preying on old folks is questionable of course, but that’s capiltalism for you. And those who live in socialized countries just right that off in the form of increased taxes for all so no damage done (except to those who pay taxes).
PS The feature I find most agregious is Starkeys “Fall down Alert”, it’s not that it’s not really a good idea, it is. But it’s only availible (I believe) on the top of the line, and you KNOW how this is marketed to children/grandchildren so that they don’t have to feel bad about having the old lady/ man live alone…
Really, release it to all models and give the technology awat for free, lobby congress to make it required in all aids. Then it’s a wonderful freature, right now I think it’s a play on emotions to make a buck.
In the picture I put you can choose the technological levels between the blu series.
It’s just unclear, does Unitron have options (stereo zoom, EchoBlock, Speech in car, Speech in loud noise) etc like Phonak Paradise? Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aid - Naída Paradise | Phonak
