New Phonak CROS or BAHA????

[Denise S]

Y  I  P  E  E  !  !  !                                    Y  I  P  E  E  !  !  ! 

So, tomorrow is a BIG day for me, FINALLY!!   I am going to see about getting a hearing device.   I had fought insurance for a long time for a BAHA, but didn't work.  Now some changes in my personal stuff & insurance.  Now I can have coverage.  So, I was SOOOO excited to go see this doctor about the BAHA.

 Then, a few weeks ago I seen on a friend on Facebook posted about trying the New CROS, YEP, that's right, it's new.   The Phonak CROS came out a little over a year ago.  The size is WAY smaller than the old ones and it is wireless.   I am able to get it through my local audiologist/ENT office (verses traveling for baha specialist).  I was quoted $2,600 for it complete!!!!   That is NO insurance coverage.   

NOW, the decisions really need to start 're thinking'.   SO,  I am asking any of you with the newer CROS to please share your info here too.   Hopefully besides myself, it may help others too!!   I have heard a few things already on Facebook about the CROS and ALL is positive!!   

Well, I'll keep you all posted how tomorrow goes & what all I find out!!

Thanks for 'listening' 

Denise S (MI) 

[Denise S]

Here is a link to the CROS device.   You can click on the side pdf files and the one that says USERS GUIDE.....if you scroll through that it will show how the BTE (behind the ear) device looks.....how small it is these days.   Plus the variety of colors & options, etc.

ALSO.....while reading that page I clicked on something under the Features & Benefits.....Real Ear Sound.  Click under that on the MORE and it shows you a demo type thing for localization / directionality.      

http://www.phonak.com/com/b2c/en/products/hearing_instruments/cros/overview.html

I also have some other actual pictures of a brown one in a womans hand (for size comparison) and one next to a quarter...BUT, I don't have them loaded to my photobucket, yet ;-)

[Denise S]

[Ross]

Denise - See all the posts on CROS vs. Soundbite.  Here's my latest.

http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=16863.msg979741510#msg979741510

I love the CROS solution.

When pricing the device, make sure you know whether your audiologist is including batteries for a period of time.  Mine is supplying for 4 years.  That's a $400-$500 value.  So while my device was $3100, the true cost is more in the $2600-$2700 range.

You have nothing to lose by doing the trial.  That will tell you a lot!

[Archer]

Denise,
I hope you love the CROS.  I'll be looking at trialing one soon.  I am still appealing the BAHA refusal by BCBS so have some time to try the C until it is final with insurance.

Good luck.  I'll be watching for your reviews.

Rich

[cindyj]

I saw an audiologist last week to start the ball rolling for me to try the Cros also...Cost is $ 2900 (no battery supply, though, Ross - other than a few to get me started).  She is going thru the insurance hoops right now (pretty certain they will pay nothing) and then she will order one for me to try for 30 days.  If I decide not to go with it, I will pay $ 300 for their time - is that the deal you guys had?

Keep us posted, Denise!

cindy

[Phillies]

I got the Cros in December and love it! At that time there really wasn't alot of talk about it on these boards.. just the BAHA mostly. I figured if more people on this board didn't have it maybe it wasn't that good but it is! Mine cost about 2,300 and insurance paid me back for everything minus a $400 co pay. Batteries last about 2 days which isn't too bad. Most people don't even notice I wear them.

[Paul F]

Traded in my BAHA Intenso for the new Cros/Bi-Cros and love it.  It does eat batteries for me, they only last me two days.  Mine are supplied by the VA so it's not a problem for me but, just so your aware.  They are using the lowest power rated batteries, the p312's and I think they should modify so that 13 size would work.  Just my opinion.

[Ross]

Sounds like there a regional differences on cost and whether insurance pays for things so price comparisons look challenging.

MA for instance doesn't cover hearing aids. But other states do.

Some audiologists supply batteries for an extended period, others don't.

All the prices reflected thus far seem all within a reasonable range given these differences.

[Denise S]

I got the Cros in December and love it! At that time there really wasn't alot of talk about it on these boards.. just the BAHA mostly. I figured if more people on this board didn't have it maybe it wasn't that good but it is! Mine cost about 2,300 and insurance paid me back for everything minus a $400 co pay. Batteries last about 2 days which isn't too bad. Most people don't even notice I wear them.

Phillies....I think there wasn't much talk on here because most of us hadn't been aware of the changes/upgrades to the CROS product.  That only came out just over a year ago       That is why though I wanted to be sure to bring it up on the forum AND on some facebook pages.  So many people have no clue.   Many don't see any audiologist after so long or even maybe no doctors after so long, so they don't get chance to hear of updates.

[Denise S]

Ross....thanks for link to other topic page, I've been part of that one too 

Cindy, my cost for the Phonak CROS  is $2,600 and it (like you and unlike Ross) don't include batteries.  Of course it is supposed to be lifetime adjusting, cleaning.  Think it was 2 year full warranty.    I DID have my local audiologist order me some today!   I have 30 days trial and if I don't keep them it will be $200.   I wonder why that varies so much too...  Wish it was that you'd pay nothing.....but sounds like most people are keeping them anyways.

I did go see the other doctor about the baha implant again.  I was given another headband trial and just not been happy with it AT ALL.  They think it may be my thick hair and I can't get a good connection through it.   Oh well.   They are checking with my secondary insurance to see if they will cover it.     Just not sure what to do or think.   

For 'now' I'm waiting for the CROS & hope all goes well!

QUESTION: those of you that already have the CROS....do you a clear plug type thing that goes INTO your deaf ear?   Not talking the tiny tube thing to help hold it in place, I mean in the actual canal, like an ear plug would be.       
How about the good ear side?   I was told not needed for deaf side, but yes for good side.

THANKS
Denise S (MI)

[Denise S]

Those that already have the Phonak CROS...what is the name of your actual device?  My audiologist ordered me the Cassia (I think petite size)

[leapyrtwins]

BAHA - hands down! 

Jan 

[Ross]

BAHA - hands down! 

Jan 

Jan - Have you been able to evaluate both technologies?

[Paul F]

Denise,
My Cros works with my Audeo S smart hearing aid.  The Audeo S is a BTE and uses a very small tube into the ear canal.  The Cros just had a retention hook over the ear but I was afraid it would fall off and I'd lose it so I chose to have an open-tip Cros retention which is an ear mold, hollow, but works as an anchor.  The audiolgist said there were other options but this works good for me.  Phonak Cros will work with many hearing aids.  Check out their web site for more info.
Paul