Hearing Assistance

[nftwoed]

Hi;

   Just a thought about hearing aids on eye glasses; If they have to send the HAs into the factory for repair, the eye glasses are useless as the temples are cut off to fit the HA adapter.
   I'd want to be sure I've an up to date pr. of eye glasses as spares.
   HAs on eyeware are a cool idea though!

[arizonajack]

Hi;

   Just a thought about hearing aids on eye glasses; If they have to send the HAs into the factory for repair, the eye glasses are useless as the temples are cut off to fit the HA adapter.
   I'd want to be sure I've an up to date pr. of eye glasses as spares.
   HAs on eyeware are a cool idea though!

We could all be spies.

[Nannybee]

I just was fitted with Phonak's yesterday. So far, they are working great. I still have serviceable hearing on my AN side, so for now I have the AudeoQ with the ComPilot. The audiologist was able to program in masking also which seems to help a little with the tinnitus. They can be converted to CROS if the need arises by switching out the right (AN) side with a transmitter.
The True test for me will be when we try a Bluetooth enabled stethoscope paired with the hearing aids so I can do my job.
Jack, did you check into the remote mike to use with the ComPilot? It may help with the restaurant/crowd issues.

[arizonajack]

Jack, did you check into the remote mike to use with the ComPilot? It may help with the restaurant/crowd issues.

I have the remote mike with a ComPilot. I took it to the restaurant when I first got it but didn't bring the instructions with me and couldn't make it work. It's not very intuitive and a bit cumbersome. One of these days I'll try again.

You have an advantage with two Audeos where you can use the Zoom feature to aim the receivers toward the person in front of you. Have you tried that?

The Zoom feature is not available with the Cros.

[terisandler]

Jack, how are you finding the battery life on the BiCROS?  The first two batteries my audiologist installed (without letting them "breathe" first) lasted about 4 days.  I am now on my second set of batteries.  Thinking that I might have to be ordering batteries in large lots after the audiologist stops providing them...

[arizonajack]

Jack, how are you finding the battery life on the BiCROS?  The first two batteries my audiologist installed (without letting them "breathe" first) lasted about 4 days.  I am now on my second set of batteries.  Thinking that I might have to be ordering batteries in large lots after the audiologist stops providing them...

If I use my hearing aids consistently for a couple of days I probably get two days on the batteries.

Here's the best deal you're probably going to find:

http://www.amazon.com/PowerOne-Hearing-Batteries-Battery-Keychain/dp/B00CEKFNHY/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1373150245&sr=1-2&keywords=power+one+p312+batteries

$17.90 for 60 batteries with free shipping.

You can get other Phonak supplies (wax traps, domes) on Amazon, too.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dhpc&field-keywords=phonak

If you are going to shop regular on Amazon I suggest you get the Amazon Visa Card and take advantage of the Reward points. They further reduce the already low prices you find on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=sr_1_1_acs_h_3?ie=UTF8&nodeId=201179390&qid=1373150789&sr=8-1-acs

[terisandler]

Thanks, Jack.  I was planning to order the exact same batteries once my audiologist stops providing them.  Is that the Amazon Prime you are referring to?

[terisandler]

I see Prime is not the same as the Amazon Visa. 

[arizonajack]

I see Prime is not the same as the Amazon Visa.

Prime gives you free shipping on a lot of things and a few other benefits. But you pay extra for it.
I had a free trial last year when I was ordering a lot of computer stuff but then dumped it because there are usually several vendors for any one product and many will ship free. And most orders over $25 ship free anyway.

[terisandler]

I am happy to report that week 1 with my Phonak BiCROS went well.  Today I managed to do quite well in a few very noisy environments - I specifically went with a group of friends to a restaurant which I normally avoid due to the acoustics and noise level.  Yes, it was plenty noisy but I was able to hear people talking for the most part.  And, tonight I realized that I am not as exhausted as I have been for ages.  I never realized how draining it is to strain to hear and keep up with conversations!

[Jim Scott]

I am happy to report that week 1 with my Phonak BiCROS went well.  Today I managed to do quite well in a few very noisy environments - I specifically went with a group of friends to a restaurant which I normally avoid due to the acoustics and noise level.  Yes, it was plenty noisy but I was able to hear people talking for the most part.  And, tonight I realized that I am not as exhausted as I have been for ages.  I never realized how draining it is to strain to hear and keep up with conversations!

Terri ~

Congratulations on your successful venture into a noisy environment with your BiCROS unit! 

Good point about the stress of straining to hear in noisy environments.  I'm SSD but chose to forgo a hearing device.  It isn't a problem most of the time. One learns subtle ways to compensate and I'm retired which also helps in it's own way.  However, after some time dealing with being in a noisy environment (restaurant, reception, party, etc.) I notice that I'm more fatigued at night and sleep especially well, which is a bonus, I guess.

Jim   

[terisandler]

I actually always felt fatigued no matter what.  I am retired also and work p/t from home so I am not being overly stimulated except the occasional large gatherings.  I wonder if the fact that I have some hearing left in my AN ear (not much) makes it more difficult to adjust than having no hearing in the AN ear.  Or maybe it's the AN fatigue.  I guess time will tell...

[nftwoed]

Hi;

   Hearing does take a lot of cognitive energy and if we are doing something else at the same time ( multi tasking ) I do understand the fatigue. I'm usually exhausted after trying to hear someone speaking to me after just a couple hours.

I actually always felt fatigued no matter what.  I am retired also and work p/t from home so I am not being overly stimulated except the occasional large gatherings.  I wonder if the fact that I have some hearing left in my AN ear (not much) makes it more difficult to adjust than having no hearing in the AN ear.  Or maybe it's the AN fatigue.  I guess time will tell...

[terisandler]

Well, after about 3 weeks with the Phonak, I  wasn't quite content with them so I tested a demo Ponto Pro Power on a metal headband.  I actually prefer the BAHA, even though it means some surgery.  We began the process of trying to get them approved by my insurance, which has denied (as expected) any coverage for the Phonak.  To be continued...

[arizonajack]

Well, after about 3 weeks with the Phonak, I  wasn't quite content with them so I tested a demo Ponto Pro Power on a metal headband.  I actually prefer the BAHA, even though it means some surgery.  We began the process of trying to get them approved by my insurance, which has denied (as expected) any coverage for the Phonak.  To be continued...

I had my Phonak Cros for a month and it drove me nuts until I found out about the remote control and various programming that's available. Once I got the MyPilot remote control I was able to adjust volume and change programming from the remote whenever conditions around me changed.

I'm still annoyed by background noise but I don't think anything gets rid of that.

Did you get the remote with your Phonak?