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DIY Phonak Sphere with Noahlink and Target

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Edited

I’m nearing the end of my Phonak Sphere trial. I’ve decided to keep them even though I’m not entirely satisfied with the speech in noise performance. I’ve another audiologist appointment in two weeks and then my plan is to try fine tune the settings using a Noahlink and the Phonak Target software. I need to read the Target documents but can I ask you experts @tenkan @Bimodal_user @RobHooft three questions:

  1. Before I change anything is it possible to make a backup copy of the audiologist’s settings? I’d like the reassurance of a backup just in case I mess things up.
  2. Without the benefit of real ear measurement I suppose adjustments have to just depend upon personal subjective assessment of each change. I can’t detect much difference when changing the settings provided in the myPhonak app. Are changes made in the Target software more noticeable or do I need to become more experienced in detecting subtle changes in the settings?
  3. Are there any files, settings, alternative domes, etc the audiologist could provide that would help my DIY experiments?

Many thanks, Roger

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Hi Roger,

No worries- the first time you connect to Target it will ask you to save your current settings. Make sure your are not Bluetooth-connected to anything else, or Noah won’t see them. Yes, Target gives you a wealth of options beyond the app. I had my PC speakers playing some radio, to get a basic idea of what I was doing.
I did not need documentation, even if Target does seem a bit counterintuitive at times…
Domes are cheap- I guess you should just try some out. I am happy with fully occlusive ones.

Edited

Well if you are not satisfied with the Phonak hearing aids, have you tried the Resound Vivia.

You might get some benefit from , but I suspect it’s more likely an issue with the hearing’s system. That’s why I would test the Resound Vivia before making a long term purchase.

  1. Yes, make a backup file of the original fitting. Save any changes under a different file name.
  2. Don’t worry about . Use your ears.
  3. No other settings are available from your audiologist. You can try other domes if you like.

I suggest you download a frequency analyzer app for your phone. I use Spectroid.

I would also go to an AI generated speech web site and use it to help fine tune your hearing aids. I use typecast. https://typecast.ai/21

Edited

Regarding your questions, see in the web search engine “ school hearing aids”. The newest is probably v2.2.

There are full info about saving fitting, etc.

On forum is encyclopedia about Phonak acoustic coupling.

Make sure you have not too long receiver wire (for me size “2” is too long), on forum @raylock1 gave a PDF with necessary measurement.

Acoustic coupling it a bit of trial and error. Theoretically I could say “Try cShell with 2 mm diameter vent first, and if you don’t feel the occlusion effect, try with another cShell with smaller venting until you can reach high frequency targets in ”.

However, that sentence doesn’t include planned cShell and vent length (and then acoustic mass of venting) mobility of your ear canal during jaw movements (stick a finger and feel between 1st and 2nd bend of ear canal), sensitivityof your ear canal to deep placed earmolds (which could be the most optimized location), etc.

Audiologyonline.com17 has courses which are helpful in becoming familiar with Target. You have to register and create an account but it is free unless you want to get continuing education credits. Look for courses 34524 which is older and a follow up course 42918 which has updates for Target 10.

@RogerBill you’ve got most of the information you’ll need, I always advise people to make up 2 clients in target, one for your original audiology settings and one for your projects which makes things super easy, you can also save a copy of your original audiology settings to your desktop or a flash drive using the “export/import” feature in target, everything you’ll ever want to know DIY just ask, no need to go to any other website, we have all the best real world information and DIY enthusiasts right here on hearingtracker ; )

To save a copy of your original audiology settings in Target choose “Transfer fitting” with Export and Import function, accessible in the menue bar under the " Fitting " menu.

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I recently downloaded the latest Phonak Target 10.0++ from a link somewhere here. The software loads fine and it’s all authentic. However, I’m a little suspicious of one thing:

Theres a file for “TeamViewer” in the “Support” folder, which provides remote access and control of computers and mobile devices. Scammers like to use it. Is there any reason for me to be concerned with that? I suspect that it’s probably used by tech support to help audiologists with the software when needed. It’s the QS version which supports that view. I can also just erase it.

Yeah no worries, here’s a funny thing, all the manufacturers recommend to turn off any antivirus while installing!

@RogerBill said:

etc the audiologist could provide that would help my DIY experiments?

Regarding your sloping high frequency loss, consider using 5.0 instead of fitting algorithm. DSL places more emphasis on higher frequencies. It could be good to measure (uncomfortable level) during audiometry.

There is also DSL 5.0 Pediatric, but it may be too loud for you. However, once you get used to amplification, you can give it a try instead of adult version of DSL 5.0.

@tenkan said:

amazing what can be achieved just by changing formula as @Bimodal_user with In-situ audiogram.

I agree, although I prefer -based fitting (due to my relatively large ear canal).

I have been only for almost a week after changing from to 5.0 Pediatric (not adult) with measured AudiogramDirect AND level (first time in my 25yrs of experience).

I am quite positively impressed, despite having imperfect earmold. Finally I have proper output limiting for loud sounds!

Many thanks to all of you experts for all the really useful info and for the time you’ve taken to answer my questions.

It’s clear that there is a lot of scope for experimentation and, as everyone’s hearing is unique to the individual, I believe careful experiments should offer scope for fine tuning advanced like the Phonak Spheres. Once I get a Noahlink and I get up and running with the Target software next month I’ll report back on my progress.

Once again many thanks for all your help and inspiration.

I’m looking into doing some very limited work with a Noahlink Wireless — mainly for educational purposes and possibly small, safe adjustments in between professional appointments. My audiologist is generally supportive, but understandably cautious about providing a full Target installer. I want to approach this responsibly.

For those who already do DIY with Phonak, I’d appreciate some guidance:

1. How did you originally obtain the full Phonak Target installer?

Did your provider share it with you, or is there a commonly accepted method that DIY’ers use?
I’d like to make sure I’m going through the proper channels.

2. Which version of Target are you running with the Ultra firmware?

Any issues with older session databases, compatibility, or version mismatches?

3. What aspects of Target do you personally adjust — and what do you avoid?

Trying to understand real-world boundaries:

  • modest gain changes only?

  • band-specific adjustments?

  • compression tweaks?

  • modifications to manual programs?

  • or complete programming?

What’s considered “safe territory” for DIY, and what do you leave to your audiologist?

4. What workflow do you use to avoid overwriting your audiologist’s fitting?

Do you maintain separate profiles?
Export every session?
Avoid changes to AutoSense/Sphere/Ultra?
Any best practices welcome.

5. Any DIY changes you found surprisingly helpful — or unexpectedly problematic — even after a REM-based fitting?

Looking for real experiences rather than theory.

Again, not trying to do full independent programming — just trying to learn, avoid mistakes, and understand how experienced DIY users handle this responsibly.

Thanks for any detailed input.

Hi there, well maybe your not quite ready for , because you either do it or you don’t, no inbetweeners, so let’s see if I can answer your questions.

  1. There’s no “proper channels” unless you’re a registered Audiologist, it’s supplied to them for free.
  2. No issues with using target, version 11.1 for Ultra firmware.
  3. Everything! Your DIY so everything is on the table, small adjustments are optional.
  4. You always make 2 clients in target, one for Audiologist settings and one for your DIY projects.
  5. The main one for me was just how easy it was to do! In-situ audiometry was very helpful.

“Looking for real experiences rather than theory” hmnm

the best way to to “learn” and understand how things work is to research and read the user guides! Next install Target and use the demo simulation/mode to see how things work and just how easy it is, go for it!

Thanks. I appreciate the pointers — my only real challenge is obtaining the Target installer in the first place.
I understand it’s not provided directly to patients, so I’m trying to understand how ’ers get started.

If anyone has general guidance on that step (nothing specific), I’d appreciate it.

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