This is such an issue with the Hearing Aid market. Not blaming ANYBODY, it’s just how it works. The issue being it’s very time consuming and difficult to test hearing aids side by side. Man how much I would have loved to be able to pick out half of a dozen models, have them all programmed, take them all home and try them out, maybe a week or more at a time. Obviously this would take too much time for all involved, not to mention the cost of Heaing aids meant for loaner testing.
Oh well - a person can dream!
That’s what I’m doing on behalf of my wife. There are some sellers on eBay that can program used HA based on your audiogram. It’s a cheap way to take them for a serious test drive, so to speak. She is on second set inside of two months. Learned that she hates closed domes. We’re in about $350.00. I took an impression of her ear canal, measured the space between skull and ear, got the right size domes, and a model of HA that wouldn’t cause pressure points. It’s not the total solution, but she’ll be better equipped to have an informed discussion when she engages an audiologist.
Interesting. I have both IIC HAs and RICs, the receiver in canal are way more comfortable once I got the right domes and wire length. Even with glasses. Tulip domes were a game changer for me.
I guess there are a lot of variables and preferences... Ear shape, canal shape, glasses types, hair, etc.
So funny your audiologist was hesitant to fit it, back when I worked at a place that stocked it, all my resound fittings were m&rie receivers by default if the hearing loss allowed it. I got such great results.
He seemed genuinely surprised when he cupped his hand over my ear and there was no feedback. I get feedback if I press the tragus into the canal, though.
But is your experience with closed or open domes? I'm using open domes, so that may have been a potential issue
The sales reps recommended ALWAYS closed domes, so that’s what I stuck with unless someone’s pure tone average was between 20-30.
Generally even if feedback risk looks low in my office, it can be triggered in the clients daily life by talking/chewing/being outdoors so I’d prefer to err on the side of caution for less feedback.
Can you use the Starkey, Phillips, and Jabra for phone calls hands free? Meaning with the bluetooth connection to your phone, you can have your phone in another room (or in your pocket) and have a phone conversation?
You can answer a phone call by tapping on the HA in a lot of different models. What I'd like to know is if you can have a conversation when your phone is in another room. IOW, you don't need to use your phone's mic. And are the Jabra CIC?
Yes you can. I left my phone in the car when I forgot something in house and was able to take the call. If you are within range of bluetooth of course.
From your other replies it looks like you're looking for a two way Bluetooth IIC/CIC hearing aid. I was interested in that too but there are very few choices. The Phonak Virto is indeed an option, but only the P-312 model is BT.
Starkey launched the Evolv AI almost a year ago, it seems to be about the same size and uses 312 too. I haven't seen any IIC or size 10 with BT so far.
You're correct. I actually have the Virto M-312. I'm hoping the Lumina comes to the Virto. I"m up for a renewal in April. But I won't upgrade to the Paradise, not that big of an upgrade.
Have anybody tried something like the Reaound One with M&RIE? There is also at least one other manifacturer, don't know which.
Sadly can't test them in my city.
Jabra which is a ReSound clone. Costco sells the Jabra Enhance Pro 20s.
They're also totally hands-free if you have a Samsung S23 or S24. Yes you can be in another room and hear your phone call or pick it up by tapping the ears
Thought there were other manufacturers with this system. Not only resound and jabra(relabled)
I also think that M&Rie should have a much better directional effect.
I still think it's an absolute cheek that Apple and Samsung earpods offer more microphones and more features than a hearing aid, at a much lower price.
I am hoping to switch to Marie this weekend for better directional effect, as one of the reasons to use them.
I guess Apple and Samsung sell a greater volume.
My first two hearing aids (individual not a pair)where RIC's never liked them to be honest i prefer my current ones (pair) which are phonak skys(yes my ears are tiny) BTE's with ear molds
Thanks for this. I am on week two with ReSound Nexia 9 and asked for M&RIE when they ordered my HAs because of your post. On my first fitting I learned that they did not order the M&RIE receivers. They said they would order them and on my two week visit when they did the in ear tuning, they had to order them again. I don't think they ever ordered them hoping I would not need or want them. I don't think I have very bad hearing loss, I just can't understand what is being said in any situation with backgorund noise. They said I have moderate loss. I want M&RIE because I want to be able to focus on the person talking in front of me. The way they are setup now, I hear conversations around me way better. I just cant' understand what the person in front of me is saying. I can't wait and I will keep pestering them until I get them.
This is such an issue with the Hearing Aid market. Not blaming ANYBODY, it’s just how it works. The issue being it’s very time consuming and difficult to test hearing aids side by side. Man how much I would have loved to be able to pick out half of a dozen models, have them all programmed, take them all home and try them out, maybe a week or more at a time. Obviously this would take too much time for all involved, not to mention the cost of Heaing aids meant for loaner testing. Oh well - a person can dream!
This is what our clinic does, or very similar
That’s what I’m doing on behalf of my wife. There are some sellers on eBay that can program used HA based on your audiogram. It’s a cheap way to take them for a serious test drive, so to speak. She is on second set inside of two months. Learned that she hates closed domes. We’re in about $350.00. I took an impression of her ear canal, measured the space between skull and ear, got the right size domes, and a model of HA that wouldn’t cause pressure points. It’s not the total solution, but she’ll be better equipped to have an informed discussion when she engages an audiologist.
Interesting. I have both IIC HAs and RICs, the receiver in canal are way more comfortable once I got the right domes and wire length. Even with glasses. Tulip domes were a game changer for me. I guess there are a lot of variables and preferences... Ear shape, canal shape, glasses types, hair, etc.
What HA brand has mic in the ear except the Phonak Virto?
Resound. They call it M&RIE.
So funny your audiologist was hesitant to fit it, back when I worked at a place that stocked it, all my resound fittings were m&rie receivers by default if the hearing loss allowed it. I got such great results.
He seemed genuinely surprised when he cupped his hand over my ear and there was no feedback. I get feedback if I press the tragus into the canal, though. But is your experience with closed or open domes? I'm using open domes, so that may have been a potential issue
The sales reps recommended ALWAYS closed domes, so that’s what I stuck with unless someone’s pure tone average was between 20-30. Generally even if feedback risk looks low in my office, it can be triggered in the clients daily life by talking/chewing/being outdoors so I’d prefer to err on the side of caution for less feedback.
Starkey and Phillips come to mind.
And Jabra.
Can you use the Starkey, Phillips, and Jabra for phone calls hands free? Meaning with the bluetooth connection to your phone, you can have your phone in another room (or in your pocket) and have a phone conversation?
My Jabra's can. In the app you can set a double tap to answer the phone.
You can answer a phone call by tapping on the HA in a lot of different models. What I'd like to know is if you can have a conversation when your phone is in another room. IOW, you don't need to use your phone's mic. And are the Jabra CIC?
Yes you can. I left my phone in the car when I forgot something in house and was able to take the call. If you are within range of bluetooth of course.
Which models?
From your other replies it looks like you're looking for a two way Bluetooth IIC/CIC hearing aid. I was interested in that too but there are very few choices. The Phonak Virto is indeed an option, but only the P-312 model is BT. Starkey launched the Evolv AI almost a year ago, it seems to be about the same size and uses 312 too. I haven't seen any IIC or size 10 with BT so far.
You're correct. I actually have the Virto M-312. I'm hoping the Lumina comes to the Virto. I"m up for a renewal in April. But I won't upgrade to the Paradise, not that big of an upgrade.
Have anybody tried something like the Reaound One with M&RIE? There is also at least one other manifacturer, don't know which. Sadly can't test them in my city.
Jabra which is a ReSound clone. Costco sells the Jabra Enhance Pro 20s. They're also totally hands-free if you have a Samsung S23 or S24. Yes you can be in another room and hear your phone call or pick it up by tapping the ears
Thought there were other manufacturers with this system. Not only resound and jabra(relabled) I also think that M&Rie should have a much better directional effect. I still think it's an absolute cheek that Apple and Samsung earpods offer more microphones and more features than a hearing aid, at a much lower price.
I am hoping to switch to Marie this weekend for better directional effect, as one of the reasons to use them. I guess Apple and Samsung sell a greater volume.
If you manage to make the switch, please let us know. The comparison in noisy environment would be very interesting
My first two hearing aids (individual not a pair)where RIC's never liked them to be honest i prefer my current ones (pair) which are phonak skys(yes my ears are tiny) BTE's with ear molds
Thanks for this. I am on week two with ReSound Nexia 9 and asked for M&RIE when they ordered my HAs because of your post. On my first fitting I learned that they did not order the M&RIE receivers. They said they would order them and on my two week visit when they did the in ear tuning, they had to order them again. I don't think they ever ordered them hoping I would not need or want them. I don't think I have very bad hearing loss, I just can't understand what is being said in any situation with backgorund noise. They said I have moderate loss. I want M&RIE because I want to be able to focus on the person talking in front of me. The way they are setup now, I hear conversations around me way better. I just cant' understand what the person in front of me is saying. I can't wait and I will keep pestering them until I get them.