Audiologist here. I did exactly what you said when I had about six people contact me in August, wanting to try the new Phonak Infinio Audeo Sphere product. All of them have been fit with the Audeo Lumity product, Phonak's previous generation, within the previous two years. I told them that their current aids actually aren't that old at all (I tell my patients that, properly fit, this type of hearing aid is typically replaced at around 7 years), but they all still wanted to try them anyhow. I programmed them to match the previous frequency response of their Lumity aids using REMs, then set up manual programs for "Speech in Loud Noise" and "Spheric Speech in Loud Noise." Both the Lumity and Infinio have the former feature, but only the new product had the latter feature. I then took them outside to a nearby busy street and put their back to the noise. I had them manually switch to the existing "Speech in Loud Noise" setting, and then try the new "Spheric Speech in Loud Noise" setting. I got the "WOW!" effect. The looks on their faces were priceless. I then allowed them to try the new product in their home life for two weeks. Of the six, one felt that the new feature was neat, but not worth the price. Two really liked the new feature and wanted it, but couldn't afford to upgrade at this time (one having a great hearing aid benefit through her health insurance which covers 90% of the cost, and she was eligible to use it again in about 17 months). The other three? They all purchased. Now, for all of them, I offered them a substantial trade-in allowance on their previous Lumity aids against the cost of the new Infinio aids, since they were still under warranty. One gentleman also lived about 2.5 hours away (he found me through Cliff's HearingUp Network), so for him I provided an "unbundled" program, where he only paid me for 90 days of service and then would pay fee-for-service as needed after that; local people generally prefer lifetime care. So, if you're going to try new technology, make sure you're comparing apples to apples and have a clear explanation of what the new features are and what they will do.
My last upgrade was a few years ago. I had my previous HAs for 5 years, as was motivated more by the addition of Bluetooth. I was loaned a new set to use for a few weeks. My perception was some improvement in comprehension in dinner situations in a restaurant environment with people sitting across from me in a 6-top table setting with people I knew well. There may have been improvements in other sound scapes, but if so, not much. Both the old and new were top end Phonics HAs. I did buy the new ones because I wanted Bluetooth (even though it would have been much cheaper with earbuds). I felt if the sound coming through BT was tuned to my hearing that my comprehension of such audio streams would be better, and they do appear to be significantly better. I was surprised to find I liked the rechargeable capability a lot, so another plus. Currently I’m waiting for the new AI functionality in HAs to mature some and then see if it would be worth replacement.
In my case, trialing the intent 1 allowed me and my hcp to improve the fitting of the more 1 thanks to the companion app sound adjustment, so i ended up keeping my more 1, but i agree with everything you said
Dr. Cliff, I'm expecting to hear improvement in technology coming from Phonak Virto marvel m90s to the latest Starkey Edge AI CIC 24s. As always, Real ear measurements and the back and forth with the Audi until it's just right. Do you think the technology will be a significant enough of a difference?
I'm in the middle of getting an upgrade right now. My hearing and the technology has changed so much over the years since I had my last hearing aids that we did a complete refitting. However, I received a pair of Oticon Intent demo devices set to tier 4 (the lowest first) and I asked to install tier 3 for comparison. I cannot really hear much of a difference that would justify the higher cost. But I am still wondering if tier 2 might be beneficial, so I will ask for that next time I am in for an appointment. As I previosly had Oticon aids as well I also want to try out different brands, just to get to know whether maybe a different brand with different characteristics might be beneficial for me. I just do not know whether or how my audiologist would go about fitting several demos of different brands just for me to try out, knowing I will buy only one of them
Was trying to get a 2nd pair of hearing aids when I ran into a snag and my right ear 30% hearing left throw United Healthcare now waiting for imaging to be done but thanks for the update anyway
Buy a pair of Apple AirPod PRO2’s and upload your current audiogram. Get fitted with test hearing aids for trial from your ear doctor. Go to a wedding reception. Can you hear across that ten top with either device? I kept the Pro2’s and returned the $4,600 Signia Pure & Go’s. Only the Pro2s passed the wedding reception test. Recently bought another pair of AirPod Pro2’s for $199 as backups.
Good for you, but my experience is much different. I own Pro and Pro 2s. I also tried an OTC called Olive Pro (IIRC). I then bought (and returned) Jabra 50's at Costco. Not until I was fitted by an HCP with Oticon Intents did I know what hearing correction could be. There was ABSOLUTELY no comparison between the Apple Pro2 and the Oticon Intent. I haven't been to a wedding reception, but have been to an auction barn and church services. Not intended as a criticism, but rather congratulations that you have success with the Pro2's.
@@danb708 I know. It was shocking to me when I swapped out the Signias for the AirPods. Suddenly could clearly hear the couple across the ten top. Shocking. This was an excellent test that saved me thousands of dollars.
I tried the Pro 2’s as well, gave them to my wife. They may assist in hearing, but I have severe loss, and need them 24x7. The Pro 2’s lasted 4.5 hours at most, then needed a recharge, and they could not provide enough amplification. I was so happy when my new Phonak’s arrived, they last all day on a charge, and I can hear with them again. Pro’s may work for some, but not for all.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Audiologist here. I did exactly what you said when I had about six people contact me in August, wanting to try the new Phonak Infinio Audeo Sphere product. All of them have been fit with the Audeo Lumity product, Phonak's previous generation, within the previous two years. I told them that their current aids actually aren't that old at all (I tell my patients that, properly fit, this type of hearing aid is typically replaced at around 7 years), but they all still wanted to try them anyhow.
I programmed them to match the previous frequency response of their Lumity aids using REMs, then set up manual programs for "Speech in Loud Noise" and "Spheric Speech in Loud Noise." Both the Lumity and Infinio have the former feature, but only the new product had the latter feature. I then took them outside to a nearby busy street and put their back to the noise. I had them manually switch to the existing "Speech in Loud Noise" setting, and then try the new "Spheric Speech in Loud Noise" setting.
I got the "WOW!" effect. The looks on their faces were priceless.
I then allowed them to try the new product in their home life for two weeks. Of the six, one felt that the new feature was neat, but not worth the price. Two really liked the new feature and wanted it, but couldn't afford to upgrade at this time (one having a great hearing aid benefit through her health insurance which covers 90% of the cost, and she was eligible to use it again in about 17 months). The other three? They all purchased.
Now, for all of them, I offered them a substantial trade-in allowance on their previous Lumity aids against the cost of the new Infinio aids, since they were still under warranty. One gentleman also lived about 2.5 hours away (he found me through Cliff's HearingUp Network), so for him I provided an "unbundled" program, where he only paid me for 90 days of service and then would pay fee-for-service as needed after that; local people generally prefer lifetime care.
So, if you're going to try new technology, make sure you're comparing apples to apples and have a clear explanation of what the new features are and what they will do.
My last upgrade was a few years ago. I had my previous HAs for 5 years, as was motivated more by the addition of Bluetooth. I was loaned a new set to use for a few weeks. My perception was some improvement in comprehension in dinner situations in a restaurant environment with people sitting across from me in a 6-top table setting with people I knew well. There may have been improvements in other sound scapes, but if so, not much. Both the old and new were top end Phonics HAs. I did buy the new ones because I wanted Bluetooth (even though it would have been much cheaper with earbuds). I felt if the sound coming through BT was tuned to my hearing that my comprehension of such audio streams would be better, and they do appear to be significantly better. I was surprised to find I liked the rechargeable capability a lot, so another plus. Currently I’m waiting for the new AI functionality in HAs to mature some and then see if it would be worth replacement.
In my case, trialing the intent 1 allowed me and my hcp to improve the fitting of the more 1 thanks to the companion app sound adjustment, so i ended up keeping my more 1, but i agree with everything you said
Thanks, Dr. Cliff. Another great video and information. My audiologist gave me a day to trial and no change of REM. Go figure.
Dr. Cliff, I'm expecting to hear improvement in technology coming from Phonak Virto marvel m90s to the latest Starkey Edge AI CIC 24s. As always, Real ear measurements and the back and forth with the Audi until it's just right. Do you think the technology will be a significant enough of a difference?
I'm in the middle of getting an upgrade right now. My hearing and the technology has changed so much over the years since I had my last hearing aids that we did a complete refitting. However, I received a pair of Oticon Intent demo devices set to tier 4 (the lowest first) and I asked to install tier 3 for comparison. I cannot really hear much of a difference that would justify the higher cost. But I am still wondering if tier 2 might be beneficial, so I will ask for that next time I am in for an appointment. As I previosly had Oticon aids as well I also want to try out different brands, just to get to know whether maybe a different brand with different characteristics might be beneficial for me. I just do not know whether or how my audiologist would go about fitting several demos of different brands just for me to try out, knowing I will buy only one of them
Was trying to get a 2nd pair of hearing aids when I ran into a snag and my right ear 30% hearing left throw United Healthcare now waiting for imaging to be done but thanks for the update anyway
Buy a pair of Apple AirPod PRO2’s and upload your current audiogram. Get fitted with test hearing aids for trial from your ear doctor. Go to a wedding reception. Can you hear across that ten top with either device?
I kept the Pro2’s and returned the $4,600 Signia Pure & Go’s. Only the Pro2s passed the wedding reception test. Recently bought another pair of AirPod Pro2’s for $199 as backups.
Also Signia Pure &Gos did not come with a portable charger. Had to pay $350 for that. RIPOFF
Good for you, but my experience is much different. I own Pro and Pro 2s. I also tried an OTC called Olive Pro (IIRC). I then bought (and returned) Jabra 50's at Costco. Not until I was fitted by an HCP with Oticon Intents did I know what hearing correction could be. There was ABSOLUTELY no comparison between the Apple Pro2 and the Oticon Intent. I haven't been to a wedding reception, but have been to an auction barn and church services. Not intended as a criticism, but rather congratulations that you have success with the Pro2's.
@@danb708 I know. It was shocking to me when I swapped out the Signias for the AirPods. Suddenly could clearly hear the couple across the ten top. Shocking. This was an excellent test that saved me thousands of dollars.
I tried the Pro 2’s as well, gave them to my wife. They may assist in hearing, but I have severe loss, and need them 24x7. The Pro 2’s lasted 4.5 hours at most, then needed a recharge, and they could not provide enough amplification. I was so happy when my new Phonak’s arrived, they last all day on a charge, and I can hear with them again. Pro’s may work for some, but not for all.
@@theusualsuspect6298 yes, they are for mild to moderate.
Sorry about your severe hearing loss.
Are headphones for those who suffer from weakness or rich? My wish is Phonak Audio Lumity L90-R
Of course you wouldn't reset an older technology in a newer technologhy