Phonak Ultra upgrade - how do we feel about it?

Just want to reply to your last several posts in no particular order.

Your use of the word Oxygen, is distracting and inapplicable. Air volume and air pressure is what you refer to, but the mineral component of that air is not relevant here and works to mislead if it is envoked.

Just more air, and certainly beyond a certain point, cannot possible be correct advise. If so, the hearing aid could be placed outside the window and across the street!!!

You may be relying on Chat GPT or other Ai for your info.

After researching much and varied topics both with Chat GPT and without, I can tell you that for me, Chat has at least a 60% failure rate. It is a useful tool. But you must check and cross check all results and as always, the more you know, the more you will recognize.

@Hooby said:

This is nothing to do with oxygen!

To the brain he means..

Thanks Tony, not sure how I missed this but looking forward to seeing what effect the new features have.

The Deepsonic chip isn’t in your ear, so how can this even be true? As others have noted, those with closed fittings have reported the best results from the Spheres.

I argued with Chat GPT at one point and it even recognized my point and apologized! Go figure. Phonak Spheres work best with closed domes or molds with small vents. Otherwise, the outside noise just bypasses the hearing aid and enters the ear directly, bypassing the noise reduction functions of the hearing aids. At least that has been my experience.

@hearingMac said:

when I hesitated, the conversation somehow turned into a pitch that I should “just get a new pair of i90’s” for several thousand dollars in case my current I90’s wouldn’t take the update.

Yeah, “cha-ching!”

WH

@TonyF said:

Phonic is now shipping vented slim tips with the Sphere, and has changed its recommendation on fittings. You can continue to-use closed fittings, or try a vented solution, that is your choice.

This is interesting. From reading this forum I have come to realize those with worse hearing loss using closed domes or molds have better results with the Sphere’s. Those with open fittings are the ones that usually complain about little to no effect from Sphere’s noise program.

Maybe vented slim tops will help those having issues with the open fits.

I have a feeling that Phonak added programming to the Spheres to help handle individuals with lesser hearing loss and need the more open venting is what this means. I don’t seriously believe that they have taken away the advantage that the Spheres have for the ones like me that needs very small vents. Or the individuals that need completely close ear molds. That would be cutting Phonak’s own throat. I think that we need to reason and use common sense and stop taking things literally.

@cvkemp said:

I think that we need to reason and use common sense and stop taking things literally.

Why start now?

(Sorry sorry sorry.)

Thanks Don. I did the upgrade in Target so I’ll sit with you guys for lunch hereon. As I said, the app shows firmware 1.1.11.0.

In the past Target has listed the version number of the features - it does not with the Ultra upgrade. It just lists “AutoSense” and “Speech Clarity”. Only way to know is the firmware version in the mobile app and/or the sense that “everything is better”.

@Teewens said:

. I have large vented domes with m receivers

Looking at your audiogram you might consider power domes or molds. Your hearing experience should get much better.

Looking at your audiogram you definitely should have power domes or custom ear molds with very small vents. Your hearing loss is actually a little worse than mine and I have always wore custom ear molds or custom ITE aids with small vents. It is the only way I can understand speech.