Phonak State of the Art CROS II Announced.

[arizonajack]

Update 9/9/15.

Seems that directionality is not too good. I went to meet my son for lunch yesterday at his work. I thought he'd be inside so I knocked on the door. Then I heard him call to me but I couldn't tell where his voice was coming from. I looked behind me - not there. I looked to my right - not there. I looked to my left and he was about 30' away in that direction.

I'll experiment more and report again at another time.

[NYLady]

I noticed that too, Jack.  But still, overall, I am most pleased with these aids.  One other thing, I hear a slight echo and was wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

NYL

[arizonajack]

I noticed that too, Jack.  But still, overall, I am most pleased with these aids.

So am I. They are an improvement over the old ones.

One other thing, I hear a slight echo and was wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

I don't get the echo but I do get a slight hiss at the higher volume settings. I'll have to get that checked out.

[oak1971]

Same here. I have a bicross setup that to me isn't worth the time. Widex.

[arizonajack]

Same here. I have a bicross setup that to me isn't worth the time. Widex.

You've mentioned that before and noted that you don't use the transmitter in the SSD ear.

I have found that using both sides helps when I'm in small groups where people are talking on both sides of me, like in a classroom or meeting.

Sometimes I find it helpful to shut down the SSD side if restaurant noises are coming from that side. I had to do that a lot with my old set but haven't needed to with the CROS II as there seems to be an improvement in either cutting down the surrounding noise or aiming at the person across the table or a combination of both.

Still not perfect but better than the old model.

[SueLL]

Hi All - I have been following this thread for a while and just picked up my CROS II this morning.  It is a bit of an adjustment, as I have been relying on just my good ear for months.  I can definitely pick up recognizable words from the SSD side and heard myself scratching my head on that side.  I just arrived at work and had a conversation with someone that I felt was a bit awkward, since the hearing in my good ear seems reduced but I am getting sounds from the other ear.  My brain has to catch up!

I have already had a big disappointment, though.  I arrived in my office and did the big test - hold up the phone receiver to the SSD ear - I heard nothing!  Why wouldn't the microphone pick up the dial tone?  I will talk to the audiologist next week, but I wondered if any had thoughts on this.

Thanks!!

[NYLady]

Hi Sue,

I also use the Phonak Bicros and speaking on the telephone was an adjustment.  If you'll look at the Cros device, you will see where the speakers are (little holes on top).  While it takes a bit of getting used to, if you hold the earpiece of the phone at an angle above your ear (not at ear opening like we used to when we could hear) sort of tilted at the bone and move it around till you can hear the dial tone.....give it a try and let us know how you do.   My Audeo aid also required a change in how the phone is held, but it works!!!   Good luck.

NYL

[arizonajack]

Hi All - I have been following this thread for a while and just picked up my CROS II this morning.  It is a bit of an adjustment, as I have been relying on just my good ear for months.  I can definitely pick up recognizable words from the SSD side and heard myself scratching my head on that side. 

You'll notice the rustling of your footsteps. In the car the turn signals will click louder. Road noise will be louder. That's assuming you keep them on when you aren't in the company of other people. I keep mine off unless I'm going to be talking to people.

Oh, and going to the bathroom for a number 1 will sound like Niagara Falls. LOL.

I just arrived at work and had a conversation with someone that I felt was a bit awkward, since the hearing in my good ear seems reduced but I am getting sounds from the other ear.  My brain has to catch up!

You're not actually getting sounds from the other ear, your getting sounds from the other side which are transmitted to the receiver in your good ear.

I have already had a big disappointment, though.  I arrived in my office and did the big test - hold up the phone receiver to the SSD ear - I heard nothing!  Why wouldn't the microphone pick up the dial tone?  I will talk to the audiologist next week, but I wondered if any had thoughts on this.

That's normal and NYLady has the right solution. It's not the hearing aid.

However, if you spend a lot of time on the phone at work I strongly recommend a one sided headset that you can wear over your good ear for phone calls. I've used one for the last almost 20 years at work and home, long before my AN. Very convenient.

[LeahRachel]

Does anyone know of something like this that would work with a cochlear implant?

AN took out my left ear and I "hear" with a CI in the right ear.

Leah

[arizonajack]

Does anyone know of something like this that would work with a cochlear implant?

AN took out my left ear and I "hear" with a CI in the right ear.

Leah

Too technical for me. A CI professional might have an answer.

[oak1971]

yeah, Widex is useless

[arizonajack]

yeah, Widex is useless

Isn't that something you clean windows with?

[SueLL]

Been offline a while - thank you for the responses!  I have been using the CROS II on and off for the past two weeks.  The hearing from my good ear is pretty good, so I don't need the hearing aid much of the time.  Sometimes I find it useful, but other times it seems like a nuisance.  I ordered a custom-fitted set of aids, and that ended up being a mistake.  I felt I was losing some of the useful hearing from the good ear.  After a visit to the audiologist, he removed the customized piece and put in a plain dome - much better.  Best part is that the wire fit better also and barely shows under my hair.

I found the aids most useful when I gave an exam.  Students whisper questions, and I did not have to turn my head and could receive questions from either ear.  Funny that the microphone would not pick up the dial tone from my work phone, but it did on my home phone.

Still experimenting and deciding if it is worth all the money for something I don't need all the time.  Would be great at meetings if I am not able to sit my bad ear by a wall!

[CattAN]

How does one find out where to go for fitting and trial?  I am interested in trying Phonak Cross for my SSD.  I was recently at a work retreat and had trouble following conversation during breakout sessions. It will be nice to be able to participate in conversation, and just wear it occasionally; I imagine it must be a heavy thing to wear.

[NYLady]

Hi CatAN,

You can Google Phonak and they have a section where you put in your ZIP Code to let you know where Phonak dealers are located in your area.

The Phonak Bicros system is made up of a regular hearing aid in one ear and the BiCros mic and amplifier in the other.  This amplifier looks just like a hearing aid (small, light) and in no way is uncomfortable.  As a matter of fact, you can almost forget you have them in.  I actually found them to be more comfortable than the hearing aids I wore prior to SSD.  I have the Audeo 70 hearing aid and it is just amazing for me.  The Phonak site also has illustrations so you can see for yourself what they look like.  Hope you get the opportunity to try them and I think you will be so glad you did.  Best to you.

NYL