MachineGhost

I'm currently trialing a digital Resound Sparx in linear amplification mode. I'm well aware of the numerous issues between analog and digital aids, so that issue doesn't need to be rehashed all over again here. However, I haven't worn any hearing aids for 15-years and my loss is also worse, so I'm not sure I have a fine enough perception (yet?) to be perceiving any major differences between my 25-year old analog (Audiotone A61) aid and the Sparx's linear amp.

There's not that many BTE analog or digital super power hearing aids on the market (those that have a fitting range down to 120db), so I'm very interested in hearing about your experiences, what you've settled upon and most importantly, why.

MG

Deafness

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Sarfarigirl2011

there's always Phonak Naidias for peeps like you could try.

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18 yr old girl with a moderate loss in the right and moderate/profound on the left.
currently wearing purple Oticon Safari P 600s

Ausrider

I was told by my last audi that the sparx is very basic, you would benefit much more from the naida

Anij

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Bold )

Having made the mistake myself the first time - don't go with the basic HA ... Even if it means saving up a bit longer etc, make sure you try the upper line models in your fitting range and choose one with at least a few listening programs (noise, quiet, tcoil etc).

I figured for my first HA a basic Phonak would be fine ... And while it definately helps I would have been much better off to have got a better (features etc) HA.

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Hoh/Deaf ~ +120db deaf right , mild/mod flux left & APD
English & ASL ...PAH!!


Ignorance is NOT Bliss

lovezebras

don't go for a basic ha..learned that the hard way by getting the phonak UNA and then about a year later needed a new set because I couldn't benefit from them anymore

LoveBlue

Though I could have gone with another brand with my hearing loss I chose the Phonak Naidas because they covered the max losses and I have progressive hearing loss so I wanted to get HAs that would still meet my needs in a few years. Luckily I was able to afford them.

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Severe-to-profound hearing loss in both ears.
SD @ 100db L-88% / R-96% - unaided
Phonak Naida IX UPs

MichellePasinat

A super power BTE hearing aid is an electro acoustic device which typically fits in or behind the wearer's ear, and is designed to amplify and modulate sound for the wearer. These hearing aid can be used for mild to profound hearing loss. Thanks!

Anij

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Bold )

Ummm we all know what BTEs and hearing aids are - this is a hoh/deaf message board (and many of us have or have had HAs)

Did you have a point other than to state what a hearing aid is?

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Hoh/Deaf ~ +120db deaf right , mild/mod flux left & APD
English & ASL ...PAH!!


Ignorance is NOT Bliss

ellehuny

Oticon has Sumo, an analog hearing aid that is programmable... It has 141 power and 82 gain... super duper power!

Bottesini

Sumo is in digital too...

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okie

I'm trying to switch from wearing a body aid of the past 12 years to wearing a Phonak Naida S III UP. Prior to wearing the body aid I wore a analog BTE which is no longer strong enough. I've been wearing the phonak for 2 days and the problem I'm having is voices sound like I'm in a tunnel or somewhat of a nasal sound. My audi says it's something I need to get use to although I'm not sure I can get use to not being able to listen to the radio as well as with the body aid. Is there anything on the market that is stronger and clearer then the Phonak Naida S III UP? So far, I've only found the ReSound Sparx which is 1db higher in peak gain than phonak.

My loss is around 110db

All suggestions and comments are welcome.

Sarfarigirl2011

and there's also the Oticon Chili as we know it's the HOTTEST dish on the market LOL

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18 yr old girl with a moderate loss in the right and moderate/profound on the left.
currently wearing purple Oticon Safari P 600s

lovezebras

I would just do a couple of adjustments until it sounds a bit better ..how many times have you had them adjusted after the initial fitting? I had mine adjusted a few times when i got them.

MachineGhost

Its hard to tell the difference between overamplification and a new sound quality that takes the brain time to get used to. If its not sounding better after two to three weeks, then you might want to consider an overamplification issue and go for adjustments.

Just so you know, the Naida S have a reputation for a mechanical sound quality, so don't confuse that with the boomy or nasal sound. The Sparx also sounded terribly mechanical to me also. If that kind of sound quality becomes a problem you can't live with, then reference this chart I created for some possible alternatives: hearingaidforums.com/showthread.php?t=12836

NaidaUP

It sounding like in a tunnel etc can be sorted out. Naidas need more fitting as they have more stuff to them.
I would also turn off the compression for you so it's similar to your body aid. You need linear setting.

NaidaUP

The feedback manager on it, it turns down gain so altho it's good to have the feedback manager it's pants if it's continually lowing the gain. Making sure you ear mold is fitting well will solve that problem.

okie

Thank you all for the suggestions. I did have some adjustments made yesterday. Now when I'm sitting outside I'm hearing a constant engine sound, sometimes it's loud, sometimes soft. I'm also picking periodic traffic noise, but the closes major street is almost a half a mile away. I'm also hearing the wind blow through the trees which is a sound I have not heard very well in years. I'll give it more time.

NaidaUP

Sounds like that is the compression working. So times it's set to strong or to weak. If things dont improve, you can always ask for a phonak rep to come and see you

MachineGhost

How's the UP sound for music to you?

Since the Naida S I just came out, I am going to trial it just out of sheer curiosity even though it ranks dead last on my ranking list.

Lau2046

I wear Widex 440, it has the most natural sound and it was comfortable right out of the box. It additionally provides more range for my extreme hearing loss in my right ear and the brand has one of the best over all customer satisfaction ratings. My audi also says she has the best success rate with Widex over all the other brands.

Laura

NaidaUP

I personally love my Naida up. I wouldn't trial the Naida s 1 myself as I believe the extra features are better for me. Good luck.

okie

I'm having a lot trouble listening to to my iTunes and the car radio with my Nadia UP. I can't even recognize songs that I've been listening to for last 30 years.

I go back on Tuesday for more adjustments. One of the problems I'm having is that it shuts down, sometimes I'll just click the volume control and it will power back up and other times I have to open the battery case wait a few seconds and close it. I've already changed the battery several times this week, so I don't think that is issue.

NaidaUP

Not always but most of the time when people think the aid is shutting now, it means the compression is set to strong so it feel like the aid is shutting down. When you open to battery draw, it will re start the program and sound flow so that's why it feels better when you open the battery draw

As you can't understand music, it does mean that you need the compression sorted out as the compression is seeing the music as noise so that's why you can't understand it.

okie

I took the aid back this past week and the audi turn off the automatic which only solved the shutting down problem for a few days, now it's shutting down 5 - 8 times per day. She also turned off the bass booster and that helps a little with listening to music, but it's still no where near as clear as my analog aid and probably never will be. From what I've been reading that's another forum subject. Another problem I'm having is the low battery tone kicks in about every 2 days. It goes off every half hour. I should not have to change the 675 battery every 2 days.
Sounds like I have a lemon, what do you think?

I would like to just return it and try a different brand. I used the list that Machineghost posted in this thread(which btw was very helpful, Thanks) and I selected three that are in the 120db fitting range and sent an email to my audi with those suggestions.

The three aids that I suggested:
Widex Super 440 RITE
Unitron 360 +
0oticon sumo DM

djchur

My Siemens SPs don't have compression, you might want to try them, they work well for me. Mine are Siemens Reflex DSP, provided by the British NHS, I think Siemens Nitro are their equivalent. Digital aids can be set up the same as analogue, maybe you could try asking your Audi to try that.

NaidaUP

All your problems sounds like compression. Many people have it turned off. Very easy to turn it off and that means it will sound more like your analog aid.

VacationGuy234

I'm using a Phonak A+ BTE aid for my profound hearing loss. It works well for me at this point. I really should be getting a new one soon, but the technology has not changed. If they make one with more channels, it would be worth the switch for me.

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Smithtr

sound look likes modify on quality Hearing aid?
Quality huh, I think so match on HL and DL testing I think so believe it testing more testing See! it is doesn't work on my hearing aid dl I have figure out testing soon!

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deafdyke

You could always try body worn aids if you're desperate! LOL