Hi everyone,
I haven’t posted for awhile because I have been trying the SoundBite out in different places in order to come up with some more accurate answers of how well it works in a variety of environments. After 15 days of trial I can answer the questions that you guys were asking in this thread:
-ONE OF THE PLACES WHERE CAPTURING CONVERSATION MOST DIFFICULT FOR US IS AT THE RESTAURANTS, IF I EAT WILL I CAPTURE INCREASED SOUNDS OF CHEWING?
NOT AT ALL, you don’t hear sounds of your chewing.
-TWO PIECES BEING INVOLVED, WHT IS THE POTENTIAL THAT ONE OF THESE PIECES WILL MALFUNCTION OR NOT WORK PROPERLY?
Both pieces work together if one is not working, I don’t have “serviceâ€.
The battery of the ITM device (In The Mouth) is rechargeable, it runs out in about 3h30’ to 5 hours depending on how noisy or quiet the conditions are, In my case, I was trying in noisy places. Part of the overall solution is that they provide each person with two ITM devices so one can always charge while the other one is being worn, it comes with 2 chargers and they have utilize the USB interface so anything that can charge USB should (my words) be able to charge the devices. It comes with a wall outlet to USB adapter but you could just as easily use a utility outlet (cigarette lighter) to USB adapter for your car and presumably just plug it right into your computer. It takes aprox 1hour 10 min to recharge the battery.
The battery of the BTE device (Behind The Ear) runs out in about 12-15 hours, it is also rechargeable.
Both devices are easy to wear and easy to recharge.
-DOES THE “RETAINER-LIKE†DEVICE CAUSE THE WEARER TO TALK FUNNY?
NOT AT ALL, it doesn’t bother your speech; sometimes I forget I am wearing it in my mouth.
-AS YOU AGE, AND POTENTIALLY HAVE A NEED FOR DENTURES, DOES THAT MEAN YOU CAN’T CONTINUE TO WEAR THE MOUTH DEVICE?
I am pretty sure a user has to have the molars because the ITM it is held in place by the last upper molar on the AN side. The device uses bone conduction so I would think that it would have to at least attach to a tooth or perhaps dental implant in the bone (i.e. stud of some kind) but this question is best answered by a professional.
- DOES IT HELP WITH DIRECTIONALITY?
YES, IT DOES, not a 100% but it is helpful, the other day I heard the noise of a car coming next to my AN side and immediately I turned back to see in that side. I could recognize where my husband was when he called me in a grocery store.
- THE RETAINER –LIKE DEVICE- CAN YOU WEAR IT WHILE EATING?
ABSOLUTELY, you can eat what you want, I am able to chew gum.
COMMENTS:
The first days I was experiencing feedback and little shocks on my tongue with the battery of the ITM (like bubbles), not big deal, it disappeared after 4 days.
As soon as I put on the SoundBite my hearing changed totally, I can hear clearer, it gives me hearing in my AN side (through bone conduction) It seems about 85 % in quite ambiance and 55% in noisy conditions but that is just a guess. One thing I like is that the noises or voices don’t sound like an AM radio. Of course nothing is similar to my natural hearing but this is the closest I have come. When I lie down over my good ear and can still hear well.
I really miss the device when I am not wearing it; the difference is really impressive, I am not worried anymore about where to sit in a restaurant with people at the table. I tried it in a very noisy place, with many TVs on in different channels, music, with a lot of people talking, laughing and people at my table talking, I could hear both sides, that was so amazing!!! I could even hear my husband WHISPERING IN MY AN EAR (of course he needed to be very close to my AN ear), I just felt so happy.
I have been to a restaurant with a live band playing, grocery stores, malls, theatre, in the car with the radio on, etc, etc and I could still hold a conversation.
I was a TransEar user before and I can say what at difference. I kept my TE because I was told that the more I wore it the more I would acclimate to it and that the experience would improve but after 8 months of wearing it was the same and I finally gave up wearing it. Sometimes I could not notice the difference between wearing it or not. When I did wear it I tended to experience fullness and a decrease of hearing in my good ear. Unfortunately that was my experience with the TE, I heard comments that works great for other users.
One more thing; The BTE is automatic, meaning you don’t have to worry about making any level adjustments, etc.
I am told that this device should be covered by most insurance companies because it is not considered a “hearing aidâ€; according to the explanations of the inventors at Sonitus. Of course, your mileage may vary, but the point is that the insurance companies cannot hide behind the blanket statement “We don’t cover hearing aids†etc.
I should emphasize that these have been my own personal experiences to date with the SoundBite, I am obviously excited by my results but still wish to try and remain objective. It’s hard.
There is another person in this forum, which will have the chance to try the SoundBite within this week. Carolyn, please tell us your experience when you get it. I am sure the SSDrs will want as much consensus as possible.
Happy holydays to everybody,
Gloria
