Phonak ComPilot & things it can control

Because my questions and comments are not about the TVlink function of the ComPilot I started a new thread even though the first post in the thread at http://www.alldeaf.com/deaf-products-technologies/113884-phonak-compilot-tvlink.html is what got me to actually writing a post about my ComPilot and questions I have.

I am still quite new to the Phonak Naida Q90-UP since my purchase was in early June, 2013. I have been very profound for years in one ear (although the noticeable loss had not shown up until I was in my 30's) and the other has been no response since age 5 (1947-48) but the now poor but better ear has been very close to stable for quite a number of years. My main motive in going from a very old analog was the accessories that are now available. I did get the RemoteMic Set right away.

I really like using the ComPilot as a remote. I do volume changes and program changes with it. The program changes are between calm, public T-coil (for the Williams Personal PA FM system that is available at my church and several others in town), and speech in noise.

The RemoteMic has been a problem. I have long been to the point of having to supplement sound with lip reading but had so hoped the mike would make the sound enough clearer when coming from a bit further away or in places like a noisy restaurant to make the process easier. It has not. All settings, tried so far, seem to just make the background noise louder and speech is NOT easier to understand.

I have recently discovered that T-Mobile has their version of 4G (but not LTE) service here now. I have picked up the T-Mobile Concord model phone and started prepaid service with them because I can use the Hamilton CapTel App for Android. In the past, even recently, I have used two phones on PagePlus — one for web CapTel in the phone browser and one to talk into — because unless you really pay through the nose for Verizon LTE postpaid service no one offers service that is both fast enough and stable enough to use Wireless CapTel by Sprint.

Now I am wondering more about how it would work to pair the ComPilot with the cell phone? If they are paired and connected can you use the ComPilot to do things like adjust the volume in your regular home program when not actually on a call? I like the idea of just having the ComPilot on rather than also a neckloop that uses the T-Coil setting as well.

My questions about the use of the ComPilot’s Bluetooth connection to a cell phone is what is of the most interest to me right now. ANY other tips regarding the use of the Naida Q90-UP and the ComPilot will also be most welcome!

I use my ComPilot with my cellphone (Bluetooth). It works well for me.

LoveBlue said:

I use my ComPilot with my cellphone (Bluetooth). It works well for me.

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Glad to know it works well for you. But . . . how about some details?

Say you want it to be ready to answer if someone calls but in the meantime between calls you want to change the volume for an in person conversation. How do you do this or are you out of luck as long as it is set to respond to an incoming phone call (just being ready if someone should call)?

I can't use the ComPilot as a remote because I have older Phonaks. I use the volume control on the ComPilot when I'm using it. I generally don't change the volume on my HAs when using the ComPilot.
Best way to find out s to try different things, read the manual, google your question, ask your Audi.

I had the ComPilot and found it to be very good but got annoyed as when I took the neck loop off, it didn't do something but I can't think of what it was now. It was last year I tried the ComPilot out. I wasn't anything to do with phone calls, I think something on the remote didn't work.

The actual sound quality for phone calls were great.

I didn't really use the remote side to it much as I find I never have to change anything on my Naidas but I did play around with the remote a lot when I had the ComPilot.
Personally I prefer the myPilot as it has a visual screen. With the ComPilot, I wasn't sure if I had changed programs or volume as I couldn't hear the beeps and when I did actually changed programs or volume, there were very little different, if any with the sound, so I got very confused.

The ComPilot is a good idea but you would have to leave it connected to your cell and leave it around your neck to be ready for a phone call if you did receive one that day. I didn't like the fact I had to keep it around my neck, just in case I got a phone call.

A little more about me and where I am with this.

My hearing is such that I need to use a neckloop to know when the other person is speaking or not on a cell phone.. This is mainly useful at the start of a conversation to know when they finish speaking their greeting so I can say something quick enough to keep them from hanging up. I depend on captions to know the actual words. So . . . ComPilot or not there is a neckloop involved and sometimes two (the ComPilot and a ClearSounds neckloop for T-Coil connection to the cellphone) because changing programs is easier on the ComPilot than the small switch on the hearing aid. It seems to me that stick the ComPilot on and forget it would be convenient. Yesterday I had it on because I was switching between in person conversation and the FM system at church (that meant two neckloops for awhile because I use the church’s Personal PA receiver and don’t have anything FM from Phonak). After church I just left the ComPilot around my neck. I do hear the beeps as programs are changed with the ComPilot but don’t understand the words of what it says as it changes programs.

One of the things I am really interested in is what can be done with the ComPilot between phone calls if the ComPilot has been paired with a cell phone and both are “on”. I do not stream music.

Jane B. said:

My questions about the use of the ComPilot’s Bluetooth connection to a cell phone is what is of the most interest to me right now. ANY other tips regarding the use of the Naida Q90-UP and the ComPilot will also be most welcome!

Click to expand...

Jane,

I use my ComPilot with an iPhone 5 from Verizon. The ComPilot and the iPhone communicate with Bluetooth - which I setup using the "Settings" on the iPhone.

The phone and the ComPilot need to be "paired" with Bluetooth. To do that, hold down the < > button on the side of the ComPilot - and the + button on the front. A blue light flashes rapidly. The iPhone will have a place to enter the code 0000 (my ComPilot talks me through the procedure with her lovely British voice) - and then I can select the ComPilot in my iPhone.

I can use the + - volume ComPilot button to adjust cell phone volume. I do not use T coils.

The clarity of calls with my cell phone and Phonak aids - managed by the ComPilot - is amazing. On "ordinary" telephones I struggle to understand callers.

I hope that helps.

Dick

Jane B. said:

Yesterday I had it on because I was switching between in person conversation and the FM system at church (that meant two neckloops for awhile because I use the church’s Personal PA receiver and don’t have anything FM from Phonak).

Click to expand...

Does the neckloop you use with the FM system plug into the PA receiver? If so, just use the wire you got with the ComPilot to plug into the receiver. Then you don't need to wear two neckloops. That's what I do with our FM system at church.

One of the things I am really interested in is what can be done with the ComPilot between phone calls if the ComPilot has been paired with a cell phone and both are “on”. I do not stream music.

Click to expand...

Not sure what you're asking here. I just wear my ComPilot all day. (again, I can't use the remote control features because I have older hearing aids).

I don't seem to have been saying this in a way that means the same thing to other people. So trying again.

If the ComPilot and a cell phone are "paired" and both on ("connected") what do you use to change other things between calls? For example if you hit one of the volume buttons on the ComPilot does it change the volume of the hearing aid for an in person conversation?

LoveBlue said:

Does the neckloop you use with the FM system plug into the PA receiver? If so, just use the wire you got with the ComPilot to plug into the receiver. Then you don't need to wear two neckloops. That's what I do with our FM system at church.

Click to expand...

I will certainly try this! I have been wearing a second neckloop that uses the T-Coil setting on the hearing aid. I use the ComPilot to set the hearing aid to what she called "Public T-Coil" when I was given a list of the programs on my aid.

Thanks

Repeat of an earlier comment/question as part of my desire the get the most out of my new equipment.

The RemoteMic has been a problem. I have long been to the point of having to supplement sound with lip reading but had so hoped the mike would make the sound enough clearer when coming from a bit further away or in places like a noisy restaurant to make the process easier. It has not. All settings, tried so far, seem to just make the background noise louder and speech is NOT easier to understand.

I had such high hopes for the remote mike in a restaurant. Please any suggestions for a starting point for settings?

Jane B. said:

I don't seem to have been saying this in a way that means the same thing to other people. So trying again.

If the ComPilot and a cell phone are "paired" and both on ("connected") what do you use to change other things between calls? For example if you hit one of the volume buttons on the ComPilot does it change the volume of the hearing aid for an in person conversation?

Click to expand...

If you're not on a call, then the ComPilot works as it would if you were not paired/connected. When I'm on a call, I use the volume buttons to help me hear on the phone.

LoveBlue said:

If you're not on a call, then the ComPilot works as it would if you were not paired/connected. When I'm on a call, I use the volume buttons to help me hear on the phone.

Click to expand...

Great! This makes me even more interested it trying setting this up.

Jane B. said:

Great! This makes me even more interested it trying setting this up.

Click to expand...

Just be prepared to hear your phone ring in your ears when you get a call. Since I rarely get calls, it sometimes startles me when I hear "ringing" in my ears and it's not tinnitus.

LoveBlue said:

Just be prepared to hear your phone ring in your ears when you get a call. Since I rarely get calls, it sometimes startles me when I hear "ringing" in my ears and it's not tinnitus.

Click to expand...

Nope it won't. LOL That is because it will not be ears but ear (one is no response)! But the startled part may well still be there.

LoveBlue said:

Does the neckloop you use with the FM system plug into the PA receiver? If so, just use the wire you got with the ComPilot to plug into the receiver. Then you don't need to wear two neckloops. That's what I do with our FM system at church.

Click to expand...

Jane B. said:

I will certainly try this! I have been wearing a second neckloop that uses the T-Coil setting on the hearing aid. I use the ComPilot to set the hearing aid to what she called "Public T-Coil" when I was given a list of the programs on my aid.

Thanks

Click to expand...

Thought of something to make sure I understand this setting. Set T-Coil on the hearing aid (via the ComPilot) then plug in cord (wire) between the Personal PA FM Receiver and the ComPilot. Use the volume settings on either or both to get that at the level needed.

Jane B. said:

Repeat of an earlier comment/question as part of my desire the get the most out of my new equipment.

The RemoteMic has been a problem. I have long been to the point of having to supplement sound with lip reading but had so hoped the mike would make the sound enough clearer when coming from a bit further away or in places like a noisy restaurant to make the process easier. It has not. All settings, tried so far, seem to just make the background noise louder and speech is NOT easier to understand.

I had such high hopes for the remote mike in a restaurant. Please any suggestions for a starting point for settings?

Click to expand...

I'm sorry that it has not helped you. For me, it has been great. In my experience the most important "setting" is adjusting where the microphone is placed. I experiment with clipping it onto different clothing parts - collars, shirt fronts, pockets, etc. - and I try aiming the microphone in different directions on the wearer.

Some restaurants are simply beyond help - even for my friends with normal hearing. It is a great example of "positive feedback" - as the restaurant gets noisier, everyone starts to talk louder - and the restaurant gets noisier - so everyone starts to talk louder --- until no one can hear .... and then they have to shout across the tables. I leave with a headache ....

Dick

Jane B. said:

Thought of something to make sure I understand this setting. Set T-Coil on the hearing aid (via the ComPilot) then plug in cord (wire) between the Personal PA FM Receiver and the ComPilot. Use the volume settings on either or both to get that at the level needed.

Click to expand...

No, don't use your t-coil setting if you plug the ComPilot into the receiver. The ComPilot is not a t-coil neck loop. It uses a different type of signal (I think a type of FM signal) which has to be paired with your HAs, which was done at your Audi when you got it).

Hi All
There were many different questions in above posts.
I try to outline a few facts about ComPilot (sorry long text, but I saw many questions

Technology
To use ComPilot to stream any audio to Phonak wirlesss hearing aid (HA) requires the neckloop to be plugged in, and worn around the neck. Always. No exeption.
No it is not FM nor an inductive signal to your HA but a 10.6MHz digitally coded stereo audio and control data stream (tcoil program in HI will therefore not help; on the other hand it will not cause a problem because ComPilot anyway starts a special streaming program on the HA), regardless of what acoustic program is active.

How to connect to phones
Only thing you need: the Phone must have Bluetooth. Then pair ComPilot to to the Phone (to start pairing on ComPilot press <> and + key for 2 seconds until blue LED is rapidly blinking). Also start the pairing on the phone. This initial pairing only is needed once.

How to connect to HAs
ComPilot works out of the box for the streaming. No programming needed!
However if you want to use it as remote control, your HCP needs to program it to your HAs.

When can you do what with ComPilot - 3 cases
1. If no streaming is active, you can use it as remote control.
- The large button on the front toggles through all manual programs you got from the HCP.
+/- changes the HA volume.
RemoteControl you can also do without the neckloop!!! (but only RC, streaming needs neckloop, see above)
Note: For the older CORE products, the remote control is not available.

2. If the ComPilot gets an audio stream (3.5mm socket, FM/DAI input or Bluetooth audio (A2DP profile, "music"), it starts the streaming to the HAs automatically.
- ComPilot +/- is changing the HA volume (including the HI mics). To change stream volume only, use the +/- volume keys of the connected device.
- The large ComPilot main button now is used to Pause/resume the stream to HAs (so if somebody talks to you during e.g. TV watching via the TVLInk streamer, just push the large button). In this mode you cannot change the hearing programs.

3. If a phone is connected via Bluetooth and the phone rings, the phone will stream to the HAs. Phone is always exlusive, means you can not "pause" it nor can you go back to another streaming progam.
Note: Your HCP however can assign "Transfer call" function, which lets you transfer the call to the phone in case you want to switch back to the acoustic program. You can also do this via Phone menu.

There are many more possibilities with ComPilot. You may want to read the user guide on www.phonak.com/compilot

Hope this helps
Michael

Let’s see if I can breakdown where I am at understanding where I am with answers to my questions and what still needs clarification. Please be sure to look at the part I have put in italic.

First off thanks to all that have responded.

I understood even before posting how to “Pair” the cell phone and ComPilot but what I was unsure of was how the ComPilot would act between calls if left “connected”. This is after having gone through the user guide a number of times. My understanding now is that the ComPilot will work the same way as it would if not connected to the cell phone if not currently on a call.

The idea of connecting the ComPilot to the receiver that is available as part of the church’s FM system just came up in passing. I now get the impression that if the audio cable that came with the ComPilot/Remote Mike set is simply plugged into the FM system receiver and the ComPilot it would get sound from both the FM system and the general room noise. What I have liked about my old way of using a T-Coil setting on either my old aid or this new one and a neckloop is that I get so much more clarity by it cutting out the reverberations in the room and just picking up what is coming through the mike (the pastor’s which is on an earhook is the clearest). Just in case it makes any difference the system at my church (and a number of others in town) is an older system from Williams where the receivers look like what was in this listing where you need to scroll well down the page. Williams Sound PPA Wireless Receiver Hearing Assisted Listening Device 72 1MHz | eBay Am I understanding this right?

I may well be coming back with more Remote Mike questions. It seems to be a very difficult job of getting the two volume settings to give me voice rather than too much room noise.