I am currently trialling a pair of Widex Clear 440 aids and am looking at self-tuning options.
The latest version of Widex’s software (Compass 5.1) is available from the following link:
It doesn’t matter what you put into user name and password.
The download is around 650Mb and can be installed as a standalone without NOAH. Note that the link it creates to run the software is called “Compass Demo” but it does appear to be a full version. (I checked with Widex.) I have installed this without any issues.
There isn’t much that you can do with Compass without connecting up some HAs.
But now I need some way of connecting up the aids. These aids can only be programmed wirelessly. This can be done either with a combination of a NOAH Link and Widex nEARcom or by using a simpler looking “Widex USB Link” cable.
I have seen NOAH Links go for as little as £200 on Ebay but nEARcom units don’t seem to be generally available.
Unfortunately I cannot help you. But THANK YOU!! You’re informative post came at the exact time I was wondering how I could get Compass and what else I need to program a Widex hearing aid. Widex is one of the brands I might get. Again, thanks!
In order for the noahlink 3 to work you need ‘noahlink properties’ first which in the UK costs around the £700.00 mark:eek: and in order to download this and get the licence you need to be a registered H/A dispenser. I tried myself and its all sealed up as tight as a drum, they won’t sell to you unless you are a registered H/A dispenser FULL STOP:mad:…gave up in the end and got a Hi-Pro;)
I ran setup.exe for Noah Properties. Then when I run Noah Link it says I have an unlicensed copy and let’s me continue. I did select standalone when I installed it.
Just had a call from Widex. The USB Link is only £95. However, they only supply it to audiologists. My audiologist doesn’t want to get one on my behalf as he would rather have the aids programmed in his office. I can understand his point of view - but still i would like to at least explore home fine tuning options.
Can audiologists give customers the compass software and and an account? Does it cost them money? How would they go about allowing a user to self program aids?
[quote=garydhooper;69855]I have seen that the following German site sells Widex USB Links:
I have looked on this site and am not able to determine which item would be the Widex USB Link. I know a little German and non of the descriptions fit the USB link as I understand it. Can you elaborate a little more?
I sent the company an e-mail and this is what they replied
“we are sorry, but we dont sell the Widex USB any longer.
Widex dont want that the end consumer is able to trim his hearing-aids.”
My audiologist doesn’t want to get one on my behalf as he would rather have the aids programmed in his office.
I would guess when your AD is given access to a particular companies software/hardware they are required to sign a confidentiality statement along the lines that they won’t distribute the software. Why would an AD want to jeopardize their business relationship?
It’s probably a license agreement for the software, straight purchase for the hardware, but whatever, it’s a reasonable question.
However, if that question is to be asked, I think it should be accompanied by a corollary: Why would a manufacturer want to jeopardize its relationship with me, its prospective customer, when its website directs me, as Widex’s does, to a provider who turns out to lack proficiency in the art of using its fitting software, while simultaneously hindering me from the DIY tools that would permit me to work cooperatively with that provider?
Because you are not really their customer. The dispenser is their customer.
Yes, you are the ultimate consumer but you are not the direct customer of Widex. Also, if the manufacturer provides too much help they could be accused of practicing audiology and they would have to be licensed for that. So they just refer you a local dispenser. Whether that local dispenser is competent is a different question.
Fair enough. Except I simply disagree that dispenser competence is a different question. A multi-faceted issue, certainly, and the topic of much discussion here. But when the manufacturer represents a dispenser as a fitter of its products, I think there’s a reasonable presumption of competence. When we learn that that presumption is untrustworthy, the bond between manufacturer and consumer is weakened. Therein lies a flaw in the industry’s business model. IMHO.
I’ll try to talk to my audi to convince him.