Hearing Aid advice

[Bird]

Pardon me, did you say something?

 

[txdon]

Just a bump in the two year old thread. I have an appointment with the Audiologist at Costco. Just this year they started selling the Phonak brand hearing aids. They call them the Phonak Brio. The cost is $1,299 each - they also come with an opitional TV link and a Compilot (cell phone compatibility via bluetooth) remote. Anyone have these or any thing I should know, look for, watch out for etc. . . .
The purple ones are kind of cool . . . . .

 

[tkappeler]

My daughter has purple Phonaks now. i forget the model at the moment. She has had them for about 6 years. They work well. I would check into the Kirkland Signature 5's as well. $1900 for the pair. From other forums I have looked at, it appears they are made by Siemens or Resound. It seems to be like Craftsman. One company makes them one year and another makes the same "model" the next year. I am just starting to look myself.

What features are important to you? Are you in windy places? Noisy places? How many programs do you need? What style? BTE (behind the ear), RIC (receiver in canal), CIC (completely in canal). The RICs are really nice as the wire is really small as it carries the electrical signal to the "speaker" compared to the older/more powerful BTW which carry the sound through a tube from the unit behind the ear. Styles are somewhat dictated by your loss. The more power, the bigger the unit/battery. Do you have tinnitus? Some models even have sound generators to help with coping with the constant ringing (my problem).

Having the bluetooth is a really nice feature. Some models can even be used as your hands free in the car. This is ideal for me as the Kia bluetooth stinks.

Good luck and keep me informed as I am right behind you.

 

[txdon]

There were no appointments open for October I'm on the - "if someone cancels list". I'm looking at the BTE-RIC models.
So are you saying that purple is a girls color!
They don't have Kubota orange or JD green however they have blue transparent, ruby and petrol arrrg.

With my hearing loss (the Dr. just glanced at an old test results I brought, in-between her appointments,) She said I would need the Phonak. I'm Looking at the Phonak Brio R-312T. They are an upgrade from the Kirklands because they self adjust - you don't have to try to find little buttons.

http://www.brio.phonak.com/content/dam/phonak/FRED/Pamphlet_BtC_Brio_028-1312.pdf

For he Compilot remote and TV link package add $249.

I like the extras
Free hearing tests
Free follow up appointments
Free hearing aid cleanings and check-ups
Free loss and damage coverage (with no deductible)
Free warranty periods (warranty varies by model)
10 free hearing aid batteries per hearing aid purchased
A 90-day trial period

 

[tkappeler]

There were no appointments open for October I'm on the - "if someone cancels list". I'm looking at the BTE-RIC models.
So are you saying that purple is a girls color!
They don't have Kubota orange or JD green however they have blue transparent, ruby and petrol arrrg.

With my hearing loss (the Dr. just glanced at an old test results I brought, in-between her appointments,) She said I would need the Phonak. I'm Looking at the Phonak Brio R-312T. They are an upgrade from the Kirklands because they self adjust - you don't have to try to find little buttons.

http://www.brio.phonak.com/content/dam/phonak/FRED/Pamphlet_BtC_Brio_028-1312.pdf

For he Compilot remote and TV link package add $249.

I like the extras
Free hearing tests
Free follow up appointments
Free hearing aid cleanings and check-ups
Free loss and damage coverage (with no deductible)
Free warranty periods (warranty varies by model)
10 free hearing aid batteries per hearing aid purchased
A 90-day trial period

It's funny how people who wore hearing aids in the past tried for a neutral color to be inconspicuous. Now the colors are vibrant to show off some. I was thinking do I get brown for my hair color now or the silver to match what is coming in now.

My daughter never uses the ComPilot. She dislikes having to wear it. The hearing aids are not bluetooth but the compilot does. The compilot is paired to the sound source and uses some other frequency for transmitting to the aids. I wish models had bluetooth built in but I understand the extra circuitry and power requirements just for that. Good luck.

 

[txdon]

Thanks for heads up on the ComPilot, it would be another thing to keep up with. Does she have to hold her cell phone a certain place for the BTE to pick up the phone speakers?

 

[tkappeler]

Thanks for heads up on the ComPilot, it would be another thing to keep up with. Does she have to hold her cell phone a certain place for the BTE to pick up the phone speakers?

Unfortunately, she has been severe loss and does not make or receive voice calls.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

Thanks for heads up on the ComPilot, it would be another thing to keep up with. Does she have to hold her cell phone a certain place for the BTE to pick up the phone speakers?

My daughter has the Phonak with the compilot. She doesn't like to wear the the compilot when we go out in public even though she can hide it under her shirt. However, she loves to use it while watching TV and in the car. It seems to really work well in those situations.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Phonak Bolero Q90 Hearing Aids: $2299.00 per aid - Precise Hearing

I have had the M13 version for 10 months with no technical/usability issues. The only option I have is the remote control that is only for volume and off/on which is not on the M13 version but I am sure this helps keeps moisture issues stopping from working. While the America Hears was a cheap initial option they served me well for several years but I had to store them in dryer jar or other wise moisture would make them not work until dried back out.

Went with ear molds this time. Not as cool but I hear much better than the Open Ear fit.

After having the America Hears for years I had stopped fighting with the downside to wearing hearing aids. The America Hears were self programmable and I had clipped the higher frequencies because I could not stand the noise when walking on gravel for the first time in many years or the crunching of paper.

There are many choices and they all should help. The costs are real but they can be game changers for life.

 

[tkappeler]

The costs are real but they can be game changers for life.

Well said. Don't put it off.