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What is the best way to set up a multi-talker network using Phonak devices?

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I have Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinios i90R’s, two PartnerMics and one Roger OnIn mic.
I find the PartnerMic is excellent for one-on-one but you cant operate two at once ie when there are several people talking.
There is a way you could use both a PartnerMic and the Roger OnIn pen but you have to switch between channels on the app to hear each.
What is the best way to set up a multi-talker network for say a restaurant setting?
I’ve seen reference to Roger Clipon Mics, MyLink, Roger TouchScreen Mics, TableMics, Roger Select etc but its all very confusing!I know there will be costs involved but understanding speech in noisy situations is my number one quality of life issue so I’m prepared to spend to get the right solution.
I’d appreciate the thoughts of this forum.

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Are you sure you have Audeo Infinio Sphere 90 hearing aids? It’s different model than Infinio R 90, which doesn’t have feature with Spheric Speech Clarity program.

Do you have Spheric Speech Clarity as manual program?

For table conditions, the best devices for MultiTalker Network is Roger TableMic 3, but it is very expensive. On eBay maybe you can buy TableMic 2 version.

I believe I’ve got this right, but as always verify before committing to a purchase you can’t easily reverse. I think any Roger devices can be a part of a multi talker network when handheld or clipped to a piece of clothing. This does not hold for PartnerMics, just Roger devices. IF you want devices linked in “table mode” (lying flat on a table), you need two or more Table Mics. Here’s a link on multi-talker networks. The Roger MultiTalker Network12

Table Mic 2’s are eye watering’ly expensive! If you buy new? I bought my 3 via the second hand market, all in, at probably 1/10 of the retail price, but patience is most certainly a virtue! If you are willing to wait, the odd bargain, can be had… IMO, Table Mic 2, is most likely the best Roger device on the market, the clarity is pristine, several TM 2’s can be linked together… Cheers Kev :wink:

In reply to @MDB

Phonak have also confirmed that several Roger devices can form a MTN without the need for a hub like a TableMic so I’m thinking of buying a couple of Roger Clip Ons and networking them with my Roger pen.

In reply to @kevels55

Thanks Kev. You’re right about the cost of the Table Mics so I might try a couple of Roger Clip Ons networked with my Roger On In pen. If thats not adequate I might try to buy a couple of second hand Table Mics. I’m also hanging out for evolution of Closed Caption Glasses but I’m not sure how well they will perform in noisy situations with lots of people talking. I think they show promise though down the track as the technology evolves.

In reply to @rhtucker1950

@rhtucker1950 said:

I’m going to do a separate post on the best way to set up the Spheres in noisy situations.

I will be waiting! Please write about the type of your acoustic coupling while discussing the post. It is essential to get the most out of the advanced features (not only -associated).

In reply to @kevels55

Kev - I did have one followup query re your comment “Table Mic 2, is most likely the best Roger device on the market, the clarity is pristine, several TM 2’s can be linked together” - I take it you have personal experience with using TM 2? How well do you think a couple of them would perform in a noisy restaurant if there are four of us at the table. Even given the cost I’m considering buying them instead of Roger clip ons as I’m not sure how well the clip ons will work given that you dont hear from one until the person wearing the other clip on stops speaking.

In all truth @rhtucker1950 it is all a question of degrees, there is as we all know, noisy restaurants, and there are extremely noisy restaurants, where even the hearing folks will struggle badly! But, TM 2 will probably outperform a hearing person, which is perhaps its highest accolade… The question you must ask yourself is, how often are you in a noisy restaurant situation, to justify the exorbitant price? Only you can answer these questions, but if money isn’t the problem, then I would be inclined to go for it. IMO,1 Table Mic 2 would be perfectly adequate for a normal table seating 4 people, you could then perhaps get another at some point in the future, if it were deemed necessary… Good Luck, cheers Kev :wink:

You are welcome Bob… Robert Young is a fine Scottish name! If you get a Table Mic 2, please let us know how you get along. Remember also, there isn’t a perfect solution for hearing loss, especially in noise, we compromise, we will always miss the odd word, our brain & lip reading usually fills in the gaps… Good Luck, cheers Kev :wink:

Edited

In reply to @kevels55

@kevels55 said:

Table Mic 2 would be perfectly adequate for a normal table seating 4 people

I saw useful algorithm in Phonak website, IIRC, it suggested that in table mode, Roger Select/RogerOn are better for up to 4 people vs. Table Mic 2 for up to 6 (I have no experience from Roger TableMic as @Kevels55, what it is like in reality, apart from the advertisements) ?

EDIT: I have just found it:
https://www.phonak.com/easyguide#/5

To get Table Mic suggestion, you have to choose “For work or higher-education” :sweat_smile:

I see that there is a differentiation between up to 4, up to 6, and over 6 meeting participants.

In reply to @Bimodal_user

I have had 2 linked together, with 8 at a table, it works well, but you still have to concentrate @Bimodal_user, you aren’t going to catch everything, with folks talking over each other… You must also remember, I am an excellent lip reader, and most of the time, it is difficult for me to differentiate between what I have heard, and what I have read on people’s lips, as over the years this has become very intertwined… I have a lot of Roger devices, but I regard TM 2 as the best of the bunch, but that’s my opinion, other folks might differ! Lately, for some strange reason, I have been concentrating on listening without Roger or indeed Bluetooth, or TV Connector 2 (I have 3 of these). For some reason, my hearing has improved, I take a lot of natural food supplements, to improve my (Biome) which is basically in control of my immune system… in the last 8 years, I have survived 2 bouts of Sepsis, this left me with “Post Sepsis Syndrome” and ultimately severe anxiety, perhaps why I have tried to improve my immune system since? In truth, I never knew what anxiety was, until after Sepsis… Propranolol helps immensely though, although if I forget to take it, my sitting heart rate will double! But, I am in no doubt, hearing wise, things are improving! Might also be the “Green Lipped Mussels” I take for arthritis, who knows? Cheers Kev :wink:

Good to read about your positive experiences and improvements in your hearing :slightly_smiling_face:

Do you use the pilot for TableMics? IIRC, it has an option to create smaller speech bubble for excluding noise outside of that.

Regarding your TV listening, have you ever tested TV programme available in myPhonak app?

In reply to @kevels55

Kev,
This is off topic but I too have experienced severe anxiety for as long as I can remember. I started taking Sertraline (Zoloft) a number of years ago and it has been life changing!
Its so fantastic to experience these life altering things late in life. I’m hoping that the continuing evolution of technology (, closed caption glasses etc) will help me overcome my remaining number one impediment ie speech comprehension.

In reply to @Bimodal_user

No @Bimodal_user I don’t use the Pilot, nor do I use the MyPhonak app, I try to keep my sanity, by avoiding that app…I few days ago, I bought a Dolby Atmos TV Soundbar, it has enhanced spatial audio, and so far I am hearing very well with it, in truth, I have no real idea where this is taking me, if indeed it’s taking me anywhere? I am just enjoying TV without an … Cheers Kev :wink:

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