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Fortunately I don’t work in a casino, so I should have no worries. I mostly sit in front of my PC which fortunately has a quiet liquid cooler and mostly use 7.1 speakers rather than . But I am a worrier, so I still do my thing. 2 is 1, 1 is none. although I will have my old ’s as a backup, I suppose.
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You know more than I. When I went in for new aids I forgot to ask if they could update the Spheres. However when I see my see regularly goes on the internet and gets relevant medical info and also accesses my records in the Mass General Brighams system. I think there may be another reason why they do not do the updates, although How long could it take for them to check that a hearing aid firmware update is OK?
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I have said this before the clinics are air gapped from the internet what you are seeing is them checking their sources within the and government internal network. As for as any software is concerned it has to be checked and approved by the IT security professionals before it can be installed by the IT professionals on the clinics computers. Also even the firmware updates are listed in the contracts that the VA had with the companies. It the firmware update isn’t in the contract it doesn’t get to our aids.
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The computers the clinics use to configure your aids are totally standalone they have zero access to any network. When software is upgraded an IT person shows up in person with software in hand.
Ever try sending an email someone inside the ?
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I send emails to my audiologist through the app on my phone. It goes through the secure email server before go to my audiologist. And yes the clinical computers are totally air gapped.
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If you are logged in to your verified gov account and use their secure message system you can but not from outside off their mail network.
They can’t (at least at our locations) print and the ubs ports, etc have disabled.
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I have the app on my smartphone, I log in to my ID and I can check my appointments, my pharmacy items, my medical records, I can leave a secure message for my doctors. It goes through a lot of security including two figure identification methods. But my audiologist and I can email each other as needed. It does take some time as it goes through security check points.
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I was on the Phonak website and checked the aidsxand devices on the contract and it doesn’t show the Ultra Spheres or Utra Infinio aids. Hopefully the site just hasn’t been updated but I have to believe the Ultras didn’t make this contract. I get my Phonak Spheres on the 5th of December and my VA medical records show that Phonak Spheres have been received not Utra Spheres.
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Thanks for the update. Based on your and other’s prior replies I am already resigned to having have the firmware updated outside the . I doubt anything will be done until the Phonak contract is renewed (in May?)
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ColoradoWhen talking with my Aud at the , she told me that products have to be on market for 90 days before it could be prescribed to prove stability. Perhaps that is another reason why the VA isn’t updating to the Ultra firmware yet.
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So maybe the will get the firmware update this spring, more likely in May.
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While I don’t this audi actually knows, it makes common sense since with as many Phonaks as the furnishes, to have to do and then reverse the upgrade if it had problems would be a lot of time and cost. Since this really is not a new product despite Phonak calling it one we are in uncharted territory. Since I will be trialing them I will be hesitant to jeopardize my ability to switch to Oticons or something. I will have to “play it by ear” 
It’s not as if this upgrade does much except improve battery life. Phonak did not include (which may further improve battery life, etal) nor
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I am now wearing the Oticon INTENT1 aids and will be getting the Phonak Spheres on the 5th of December. I have been getting my aids from the 20 years but it seems the rules change according to the VA clinics. I started out in Texas and now I live in Hot Springs Village Arkansas. Texas as true VA clinics, here they are Community VA Clinics. My doctors and staff vary between VA staff and the University Medical School staff depending on what clinic I have to go to.
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When I move to my ME cottage in the Spring I will be more than 30 miles from a clinic and may be eligible for community care, but I also get audiology care at Mass Eye & Ear (#6 in the country for ear care) and Mass General Brighams, although it looks like a Phonak Target is available for just $75 so I could
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I don’t do , even though I am a retired IT professional, why? When I retired I was burnt out and still am, I got rid of all my computers and servers. I only have my Android phone, tablet, Kindle, Fire tablet and a very old MacBook. I don’t have and don’t want to deal with Windows anymore.
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From a DuckDuckGo search
Availability of Phonak Ultra Spheres at the Veterans Administration
Phonak Ultra Spheres, part of the Audéo Sphere Infinio line, are currently available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (). However, the specific availability can vary by location and facility.
As of May 2025, the full Phonak Infinio portfolio, including the Audéo Sphere Infinio, is accessible to veterans and active military personnel.
Firmware Updates: Some VA facilities may not have the latest firmware updates for the Ultra version. It is advisable to check with your local VA audiology department for the most current offerings.
Contact Your Local VA Center: To confirm availability and inquire about the Ultra version, reach out to your nearest VA audiology department.
Community Care Options: If your local VA does not provide the Ultra Spheres, you may be referred to a Community Care provider who can assist.
For the most accurate information, it is best to directly consult with your VA audiologist or the VA’s customer service.
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I was wondering if they’d be delivering ultra upgraded from stock by default, or if the contract would require pre-upgrade spheres. I’ve seen gov’t contracts go both ways.
WH
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I’ll let everyone know about Boston area in about 2 weeks when I get fitted for mine. That said, I am not optimistic as the audi for my hearing test was concerned about Spheres batter life and seemed unfamiliar with an upgrade that improved battery life for Spheres.
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I get my Spheres from the on December 5th. Like you said we will see.
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