Hi, I recently received the UK’s standard NHS option of Signia Stretta Aya M HAs. They do a pretty good job of filling in the blanks for my mild to moderate loss above 2K and I can definately follow conversation better.
If I’m streaming (so everything coming from HAs) the sound is quite ‘tinny’ which I interpret as not the best sound quality (is this fair?). I’d really like to hear from other people in the UK that have a similar loss and that have upgraded to get their opinion as to whether it’s worth the cost or not and if so what did they upgrade to?
Have you thought about AirPod Pro 2s? I have mild to medium hearing loss in the mid and high frequencies and my left ear borders on severe. I’ve been using them since September and they work really well for me.
I bought them from the Apple Store on Amazon so I was able to have a 30 day trial. £229 normal price, £179 if you can find them on sale.
Battery life is the only limitation at six hours but a second pair fixed that.
Apolgies, I might have mislead you with my example.
My question is about the general quality of the sound from these NHS issue HAs. I was using how they sound when streaming as a comparison because all the sound is coming from the device I’m streaming from rather than just topping up the higher frequencies when listening normally.
I assumed the quality wasn’t great because they sound tinny when I do this.
Signia is one of the bigger more respected HA companies. It is unlikely they are not high quality. You have good hearing in the lower frequencies so it makes sense they fit you with open domes. If you had a more closed fitting you would hear the phone and other streaming better at the expense of what many with good hearing in the lower frequencies find uncomfortable— occlusion. You’d feel blocked in your ears. Your own voice would seem to boom. Hearing your own chewing would drive you crazy, probably.
Maybe use speaker phone mode or hold your phone up to your HAs? There might be a mode they could program into your aids for when you use a phone old-fashioned style.
I have worn NHS hearing aids for about 15 years. I am now on my third set of aids. I think NHS aids are great but their audiologists have limited time to work with you to ensure the best possible fit. If you go private, you will need to find an audiologist who can provide the time, the expertise and the interpersonal skills to make the most of whatever aids you purchase. Your other alternative is to learn to program your aids.
My NHS Phonak aids have the same excellent sound quality as my other privately bought HAs. Ues, the sound source is steamed in but it is processed to your prescription. However, they don’t work well with open domes, as the lower frequencies just escape out of your ear canals. Full occluded moulds or power domes will give you a much better streaming experience, although any changes should be recorded in the programming software.