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New user, musician, testing Sony CRE-20, Phonak RIC, looking for options

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@Bimodal_user I’m not a user, so can’t answer on the technical side. But I noticed that within the Phonak app the “wide/narrow” Focus slider sounded less “phase-y” and better for me while playing acoustic guitar. My audi was able to exaggerate that front-facing focus parameter (somehow!) for the sub-program/custom setting we had been working on for guitar so that the app focus slider reduces the rear-facing microphone even more (if that makes any sense). I’m not sure what he did “under the hood” in Target.

When I play acoustic guitar at home it now sounds a bit like I’m staring at my lap, and the sense of directionality has shifted to my (weaker) right ear where the guitar’s soundhole is. Not exactly “natural”, but my sense of latency, warble and unnatural overtones is less distracting overall. My hunch is that turning off the other internal processing parameters that guitarists typically attack (feedback suppression, compression ratios, etc) probably helped more - but de-emphasizing the rear-facing mics helped my experience too.

Hi! Semi-pro flutist/piccoloist (also some clarinet) so you can imagine that my hearing aid journey has been complicated. Over the years I have learned that my instruments always go with me to the audi. However this group has helped me see that I need to start if I want to get more granular with adjustments. I can’t comment on that yet because it’s been a busy season and thinking about making adjustments to my live performance setting mid-season is scary. I currently own Oticon More 1’s, probably due to upgrade in the next 1-2 years, but that is besides the point. As someone in this thread mentioned, an audiologist who understands the needs of someone who performs live music is extremely rare. One big piece of advice I’ve gotten from this group and will give to you is that it’s best to create a separate setting that is NOT based on any manufacturer’s version of a “music” program. Those are optimized for streaming. Also, I had a nasty surprise when Oticon changed the entire basis of their music program with a firmware update. This meant I couldn’t go back to my old, painstakingly crafted setting. Hence another reason for my advice to base your personal music performance (or even live listening) on a “neutral”/natural setting with no enhancements or , or whatever else might be in play. I wish you luck in your journey - hang in there because it IS possible to get to a point where you can play and/or listen to live music without being horrified. And this forum is a lifesaver - you are in the right place to find a lot of good information across several threads.

In reply to @jbrinker

In my opinion, it’s less about the brand of hearing aid, and all about how they are programed.

I’m a , using Phonak and have set them up to be as close to analog as possible. I really like open domes because it allows the lower frequencies to go directly to my ears. I only use Bluetooth for telephone calls, so latency is of no issue.

If you hear a warbling sound, it probably can be eliminated by turning off any “whistle blocking” features.

Presently I have my aids dialed in so well, that I haven’t needed to change my dedicated music program for a long time.
Take the plunge and go to DIY programming.

I just chose the phonak spheres. My audiologist set up the standard phonak music setting, but in addition, she said she removed almost all compression from everything in that setting. The tremelo pretty much disappeared.

I returned to the audio Monday, I told her about my concerns and she was very receptive, and apologized for the lack of communication re: my unreturned phone calls, as they had some issues with the reception area and have let someone go as a result.

She suggested that I try the Widex Moment series, and I have a Moment Sheer 220 on order. I also asked about Lyric, and she said that was an option for me and that they have quite a few happy customers with it. It seems attractive, but I have read that they block most bass notes, so I decided to not try it at this time. Maybe I should have tried Lyric first. I dunno.

To proceed at the audio, I had to order the Widex and agree to pay for them. I will have a 45 day trial where I can swap to another brand/model if needed, and beyond that if I decide to not proceed I will owe $250 fitting fee. I think that’s fair, but I want to make best use of my time with them.

I am also considering ordering the Signia Silk Charge&Go form one of the online vendors, as I did like the fit of the Sonys, I just did not care for the programming (which cannnot be changed) and would be curious how the fully programmable Silk version can be set up. I wear glasses and still am not sold on the behind the ear thing.

Finally, I am considering trialing the Eargos. There is nothing in the prescription world like them, except Lyric sorta. I am wondering how or if they can be tweaked and what anyone’s experiences on here are with them. I suspect they will fail like the Sony’s did with music/guitar/keyboards but I’d like to hear for myself.

This is a big purchase, and a big decision, and I wish this was a lot more like test driving cars. I barely even know if I want a car, or truck, or suv, or schoolbus, much less what make model and features I care about. Guessing from just a couple test drives (with little tweaking) is pretty hard.

I’ve seen this movie many times before. Folks keep trying different hearing aids hoping the next one will be better than the last for listening to music. As many of us have said, it’s all about the programming. If your audiologist isn’t taking the time or doesn’t know how to develop a dedicated music program for you, I suspect you will continue to be disappointed.
Even with the best hearing aids and programing you probably will not hear like you did when you were 30 years old.

Ah, coming in from LEFT field for sure here … I’m not a musician, nor do I know music like a pro or passionate practitioner, but if folks here are in to music, I recommend checking out Rick Beato’s Youtube videos at Everything Music2!

These videos are absolutely addictive! They are packed with information, often feature reknowned musicians, are educational and entertaining at once. If you have a favorite band, musician or song, Beato may have a Youtube on that subject.

I frequently watch these videos, and today found that after I watched Cheap Trick live performing “Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” I wandered over to Beato to see what he thought about some of the songs. SO intriguing, altho I feel like he speaks a foreign language when it comes to the terminology for music theory and composition.

Perhaps more germane, I listened to the Cheap Trick performance with my Phonak Lumity Life 312s in the dedicated “Music” program, so I got all the reverb and dynamic range. I absolutely LOVE these 312s, and while they don’t deliver the /speech razzmatazz of the Spheres, they have been a game-changer for me just stepping up from rechargeable Lumity Life aids of 2 yrs ago to these new 312s that hit the market a year ago.

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