I picked up my BP100 in late February. (It had been ordered at the time of surgery, early December.) The audiologist conducted a hearing test and programmed the BP100 accordingly. Unfortunately, after taking it home I found it basically unusable. As has been reported several times in this forum, random sounds triggered a feedback response resulting in numerous beeps and whistles. I was also unhappy with the sound quality--sounds seemed to be echoing as if in a cavern.
My audiologist contacted Cochlear and found that there had been a BP100 firmware update, so we decided to have it updated before trying any more adjustment. Today I received the BP100 with new firmware--actually, a completely new BP100 (so now I have two two sets of accessories). I'm happy to say that the feedback problem is much improved. So far there have been many fewer extraneous whistles and beeps. (The next step, if necessary, is to turn off the feedback control.)
I'm still not completely happy with the sound quality--there's still an echo effect. The audi did make some adjustments (reduced the low frequency response), which helped. In addition to frequency response, there are parameters--directionality, noise reduction, and feedback reduction--that can be adjusted for each of the three programs. (The three programs are "everyday", "noise", and "music".) However, I doubt if the echo effect can ever be adjusted completely out, so I hope I'll get used to it.
There are tiny buttons on the BP100 for controlling volume and switching between programs. I can see how some would have trouble accessing these buttons, but I do not. There is a system of beeps to indicate volume and program changes. The only problem I've had is a tendency to press the program (middle) button too long, which turns off the BP100 instead of changing the program.
I don't know yet if I'll go back to the audi for further adjustment. Someday I hope to try out the Oticon Ponto Pro, and it will be interesting to see the difference. My recommendation to those getting a PB100 is to be sure it has the latest firmware.
