Phonak State of the Art CROS II Announced.

[arizonajack]

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/phonak-cros-ii-the-smart-solution-for-single-sided-deafness-300055515.html

http://www.phonakpro.com/content/dam/phonak/gc_us/Documents/_Launch/Spring2015/b2c/028-1447-03_Pamphlet_BtBtC_CROS_II.pdf

[Phillies]

Wow ! How exciting I got the Phonax Cross in late 2011 and it has worked well. I wonder if this one is really going to be that much better ? And will it be worth the expense ?

[arizonajack]

I've had my CROS to bear for the last 3 years. 

I think after 3 or 4 years we're due for an upgrade anyway.

The one feature (stereo zoom) that's been added to CROS II is exciting.

Here's a few more links with additional information.

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

http://www.phonak.com/us/b2c/en/products/hearing_instruments/audeo-v/hearing-aid.html

http://www.phonak.com/us/b2c/en/products/hearing_instruments/bolero-v/hearing-aid.html

[Ross]

Just received my new CROS II after having worn the CROS for the last 3 years. My early read is that it is much more effective in noisy situations. In a triangle setting with one person on my good ear and one on my bad, I'm able to track the entire conversation. I was not able to do that before. I have a couple of weeks to test it out in a variety of settings. But it's promising. I'm hoping it's a great improvement.

[Phillies]

Is the new Cross any smaller than the old version ? How about the cost ? Is it more than the last version ?

[Ross]

They're similar in size. I got a 17% discount on trading in my old pair. New pair is expensive. Paid $3100. The reason it is more is that the new CROS II only works with a mid level hearing aid, not entry level. So...you have to pay more for the hearing aid part of the equation. It's not cheap and each states handles things differently re: insurance. I'm in MA.

[arizonajack]

Just received my new CROS II after having worn the CROS for the last 3 years. My early read is that it is much more effective in noisy situations. In a triangle setting with one person on my good ear and one on my bad, I'm able to track the entire conversation. I was not able to do that before. I have a couple of weeks to test it out in a variety of settings. But it's promising. I'm hoping it's a great improvement.

Please report your results frequently.

Try them out in a noisy restaurant and in a noisy social setting where many conversations and background noise are taking place and see how the "stereo zoom" works.

The "stereo zoom" is a critical development in the CROS II that wasn't part of the CROS. If the "stereo zoom" provides relief from loud ambient noise it's well worth the $3100.

[Phillies]

So what if I don't need a hearing aid on my good ear ?  My insurance will pay up to $2500 so I guess paying $600 or so out of pocket won't be too bad if it actually is an improvement in noisy situations.

[arizonajack]

So what if I don't need a hearing aid on my good ear ? 

Read the following link to learn the difference between CROS and BiCross.

http://www.nchearingloss.org/bicros.htm?fromncshhh

[Ross]

Just received my new CROS II after having worn the CROS for the last 3 years. My early read is that it is much more effective in noisy situations. In a triangle setting with one person on my good ear and one on my bad, I'm able to track the entire conversation. I was not able to do that before. I have a couple of weeks to test it out in a variety of settings. But it's promising. I'm hoping it's a great improvement.

Please report your results frequently.

Try them out in a noisy restaurant and in a noisy social setting where many conversations and background noise are taking place and see how the "stereo zoom" works.

The "stereo zoom" is a critical development in the CROS II that wasn't part of the CROS. If the "stereo zoom" provides relief from loud ambient noise it's well worth the $3100.

Okay folks.  I completed the first of my trials (13 day) with the new CROS II system and found the results compelling enough that I'm going to go ahead with the official purchase and will initiate my 30 day trial.  I go in Friday morning for my fitting.

Here's what I learned in the first trial.  The difference between CROS and CROS II is that I was able to hear more of the person's voice on my bad side through the noise.  It was a noticeable improvement.  My brain didn't have to work as hard.  I'm headed to some conferences over the next couple of weeks and will continue to test in noisier situations, but the CROS II has promise.

In addition to the CROS II, I'm also going to trial the ComPilot Air with the Phonak RemoteMic.  One scenario it can be used for is eating out at a noisier restaurant.  I will wear the ComPilot Air and my husband will wear the RemoteMic.  It has the effect of putting his voice directly into my good ear.  It's not too bad on cost either.  The ComPilot Air with RemoteMic comes to $395.  Seems like a reasonable amount of money to spend to feel more comfortable in restaurants.  It won't solve the problem when there's multiple people at the table, but my hope is that it will make eating out with one other person more comfortable.

I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Best, rjo

[ANGuy]

I'm glad this equipment is evolving so well.  I am glad there is a market to support the products even though it's too bad so many people have impaired hearing.

I wonder how that remote mic system will work why he is actually eating.  It might be very graphic, the sound of the chewing etc.

[Ross]

I wonder about the chewing, too! We shall see. I'll report what I learn.

[alabamajane]

Good luck with your trail period. I'm sure you will enjoy it even more as you get used to the new hearing.

Unless your husband talks to you with his mouth full of food,, I'm pretty sure you will not hear him chewing.....think Bluetooth phone devices...
If it's like the BAHA mic,, he will wear it on his lapel (or perhaps around his neck) and it picks up his voice and directs it to your piece.

I hope it helps clarify sounds for you. Let us know..
Jane

[Ross]

Thanks Jane. That makes sense about the microphone. I'll know soon enough.

[Susan A]

Here's a few more links with additional information.

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

Interesting - they  say the CROS II is based on the new "Venture platform" - but the Venture is still in clinical trials and still looking for participants according to https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02298452