Waterproofing of hearing aids

Those appear the same as what I linkek. Has Rion offered a similar model since 2014?

The shape of these aid is interesting as it appears they may have designed them to raise the rear mic.

Lots of the early RIC were that design, Oticon Delta, a Sonova model and a couple of others.

It allowed for better mic placement in the horizontal plane to improve directionality before the algorithms got cleverer and could better compensate for the angular offset. One of the manufacturers fairly recent showed that they could accommodate 15 degrees either side of ideal angle.

The main problem people had with that type of design is that it doesn’t always play nicely with spectacles on narrower ears.

The Jodi vac consumer model is $113 on amazon. If you just search for Jodi vac, a variety of hearing aid vacuum products (and other cleaning methods too) for less are also listed, many less than $100. I have the consumer model Jodi Vac. It came with one needle, two filters, and a cleaning needle to clear clogs from the vacuum needle. It has amazed me how much junk the vac has pulled out. I’ve use a wipe and the cleaning tool that came with the aids before and I pulled wax out, but not to this extent.

WH

Vacuum and vacuum dryer are two different functions. Jodi vac makes models that vacuum, blow, and/or vacuum dry. The vacuum dry models are bulkier and more expensive.

The Japanese model vacuum drys. Perhaps it vacuums also?

@user490 said:

Vacuum and vacuum dryer are two different functions. Jodi vac makes models that vacuum, blow, and/or vacuum dry. The vacuum dry models are bulkier and more expensive.

The Japanese model vacuum drys. Perhaps it vacuums also?

The Japanese model can also be used as a vacuum cleaner. I’ve never used it as a vacuum cleaner, but I saw the same one used as a vacuum cleaner at a hearing aid store. It seems to create a vacuum by sucking air into it.

I bought a new hearing aid because the left unit of my previous one (Phonak Audéo P30) broke down. The failure likely wasn’t caused by sweat; the Bluetooth connection was still active, but no sound was coming through, so I suspect a broken internal wire. I plan to have it repaired once I find the time to visit the hearing aid shop—though it is inconvenient when shops are only open on weekdays.

For my new device, I chose the Costco Sonite Rise. I had considered a fully waterproof Phonak model but decided against it because the price was too high. I was drawn to Costco’s offer of free repairs for a certain period. Since no hearing aid is truly indestructible, Costco’s models were appealing because they minimize the financial burden of repairs. After using the new one for three days, I’ve found it to be quite rugged. Switching from a battery-operated model to a rechargeable one has reduced my worry about sweat seeping into the battery compartment. Yesterday, I rode my bike all day in hot, humid weather and sweated profusely, yet the device held up without issues. I may have finally solved the problem of finding a durable hearing aid; I have high hopes for the future.

However, I am concerned about battery life. It lasts all day right now, but I worry that performance might degrade over time, or that forgetting to charge it at night would leave me unable to use it the next day. Next time, battery longevity might be a top priority for me. Which Costco hearing aid models offer the longest battery life?

Isn’t the real question, ‘Which aids sold 3 years from now will offer the longest battery life?’

The Soundgear AMP offers the best battery life now, but it’s not in all stores.

@gtremblay said:

Try putting electrically conductive grease on the receiver connector. It worked for my Phonak audeo P70. Problem was caused by excessive sweat.

I see—so there is a possibility that sweat is the cause. I’ll be sure to be careful with my new hearing aid as well.