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Phonak Ultra upgrade - how do we feel about it?

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Thanks, you may be right. I have some power domes but haven’t used them except for music. I’ll give them a go. I’ll talk to my audiologist about molds. He is also going to give me a trial with activents.

Edited

I have just updated this myself through the Phonak Programme. On the target software it shows it is on FW 1.1.11.0. However on the myphonak app it states 1.013.0.

Does that mean it has upgraded to Ultra now?

Not really noticing any differences.

I have had Phonak Audeo Sphere for over a week and I already received the updated firmware in the target, I can see that it has been updated.

I am delighted with the battery life, I started using them at 7 am and at 10 pm the capacity is at 60%

Otherwise I had higher expectations from the sphere option, I thought I could use it in quieter conditions but I don’t notice that it is any better than other common Autosense programs. Unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to test them in very noisy conditions yet, to test how speech works because my job is mostly outdoors where there is not much communication in noise or loud music.

The only thing I would like Phonak to make a widget or something so that I know which program it is currently in. If it says Automatic in the application, it doesn’t describe which program it is in, I would like more details because that way I would like to know what needs to be configured in the Phonak target and in what conditions.

@markoo355 said:

it doesn’t describe which program it is in, I would like more details because that way I would like to know what needs to be configured in the Phonak target and in what conditions.

If you push the “Adjust” button on the screen with available programs, it will show which program is currently being used.

In reply to @TBOX

@TBOX said:

On the target software it shows it is on FW 1.1.11.0. However on the myphonak app it states 1.013.0.

Something is amiss. They should both be the same. Are you sure that the software has been updated? Target will show both the existing and available firmware versions in the update screen.

Just restarted my phone and the app is also showing 1.1.11.0. Thanks for replying.

In reply to @Teewens

Terry, you may have, or need a really great audiologist/we all do to help assure the firmware is set up and adjusted to help us maximize our hearing and investment in our devices. Research which slim tips and open domes are being recommended and who on this site this is having success with the release. Venting is really important, but must be just the right amount for your ear canals, or these new benefits will not do what they are designed to do. There a lot of smart. As usual Phonak may be into making more profit so they will likely charge for new custom vented slim tips. I read they are shipping the new Spheres with a specific sim tip, but not certain which one. Your audiologist will know, or call Phonal. Good luck getting g them set up the right way.

I agree with all of this Tony. I am fortunate to have a skilled and caring audiologist who is readily available for me whether face to face or by phone / email. He is also supportive of me self programming. Together with all the help from this forum my hearing loss is being managed so well.

We cannot see Tony’s . I wonder whether Tony has been recommended more venting for his loss and interpretted that as more venting for all. I could also believe that Phonak improved the function of the sphere program for , or that when it changed the software recommendations initially for the Sphere they felt it went a bit too far on recommending closed fits and backed off a bit.

But the Sphere cannot change physics and people who need a closed fit still need a closed fit and people who need open fits still need open fits. Additionally, a closed fit will still provide better noise control than an open fit. Phonak has not communicated any changes to openess of fit and are not shipping devices with anything different.

In reply to @TBOX

@TBOX said:

On the target software it shows it is on FW 1.1.11.0. However on the myphonak app it states 1.013.0.

Does that mean it has upgraded to Ultra now?

Try doing a “hard stop” of MyPhonak - when you go back in, it should show the new firmware version, which permits you to sit with the cool kids.

In reply to @markoo355

@markoo355 said:

The only thing I would like Phonak to make a widget or something so that I know which program it is currently in. If it says Automatic in the application, it doesn’t describe which program it is in, I would like more details because that way I would like to know what needs to be configured in the Phonak target and in what conditions.

Have you asked Phonak for this? I have, but I get the impression that they’ll need to hear the same thing from a bunch of people before they take it seriously.

Could folks also try an or equivalent complaint and point out whatever health reasons you think exist for not hiding the actual program from the user? I’m not sure how responsive FDA or equivalent outside the US is to these things but if enough people write in, maybe.

In reply to @IGZO

I read Phonak engineering comments. To clarify it seems that having the right combination of venting and the right ear piece itself, whether it be a slim tip, open dome, or custom is subjective, and dependent on ear canal shape and size. We may also have priorities as to what we wish to hear. My left canal is smaller than my right. I have always had problems with finding a consistent dome solution. Custom molds have never worked for me, but it seems that phonak has some good custom order options. One way or another I will get the fit right. I will leave my providers office with three options so I don’t need to come back until the Sphere’s need to be tweaked after the initial fitting. Recently I cut slit in the I am using for the I90R’s that I am using until my Spheres are ready to pick up. I cut a slit on my left dome when I was testing Oticon Intent’s. It was more comfortable and my ear did not feel plugged.

In reply to @DonRadlauer

I went out with my daughters to a noisy pub restaurant with loud music and very busy with lots of people. I heard every word they said using sphere. Not a single repeat required. I also went to the bar and ordered drinks and was able to have a conversation. It really is incredible. I also use it if I’m in the car to have conversations and even where there isn’t a lot of background noise but I want a focus on speech - eg the theatre.

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