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Νeed your advice on buying a new Phonak or any advice in general

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Hi everyone,

My name is Sergios, I’m a mechanical engineering student, and I’m currently doing my internship at a large industrial facility with quite a bit of noise from heavy vehicles, machine tools, and general shop floor activity.

I have single-sided deafness () in my right ear, and severe hearing loss in my left ear. I’ve posted my on my profile if anyone wants to take a look.

Three years ago I got new Phonak Audeo P hearing aids together with a Phonak P. Worth mentioning: my hearing care provider basically just applied the manufacturer’s default first-fit settings based on my audiogram, no (real-ear measurement) or any other verification method was used.

My problem right now is quite significant: I struggle to communicate even with someone standing close to me. I often just say “yes” and pretend I understood, to avoid the awkwardness of asking someone to repeat themselves again and again. I have communication difficulties in both quiet and noisy environments, not just in noise.

Given all this, what would you generally recommend? Should I go for Phonak’s latest model (Infinio Sphere, no CROS), the latest Phonak model with CROS, or wait for the next Phonak release expected toward the end of 2026? I’m also open to suggestions outside of Phonak, if anyone has other brands/models worth considering.

Thanks in advance!
Sergios

9 people in this conversation6 min readJump to latest

I wear the Phonak Sphere hearing aids with the Ultra upgrade. I do NOT have , although I am almost SSD without my hearing aids. I have only worn Phonak hearing aids and this is my 3rd pair. I LOVE my increased ability to hear speech in loud settings, and that is specifically why I wanted the Sphere. My previous Phonaks were about 4 yrs old. I have each time bought the newest, top of the line Phonak available (level 90). I suspect the full Spheric effect depends on having both hearing aids since I suspect there is communication between the two devices to locate sound in space (I do not know that for sure). I suspect that with the Spheres, you will lose the sound on your SSD side. I was having trouble at one point after the Ultra upgrade where my right hearing aid (bad side) was not giving me the volume I needed. I noticed it mostly when streaming where some podcasts were only streaming through the right ear. I tried using the Phonak app to set the sound to mono thinking it would bring that right ear sound to my left, but it did not offer the kind of improvement I expected. Online, they say the hearing aids have improved their speech in loud noise processing. I do not have any reason to believe the Spheres take into account one side not being able to hear.

I’ve never used a CROS, but I think you’d still be better off with the CROS. The only real way to know is to utilize a supplier/audiologist who would allow you a trial with each.

Maybe someone here will be more knowlegeable.

Edited

I think it is worth getting your hearing aids reprogrammed/re-fitted if possible and see how that works .

The Phonak Lumity was released 2022, the Infinio Aug 2024. Based on this, the next platform should arrive very soon . Phonak recently released a very significant firmware update for the Infinios; I don’t know if this will impact the expected release date .

Should you wait ? That depends if you can wait or need them right now .

Other brands ? Best way to find out is to try them. What other users may prefer may not work for you .

BTW: I’m a MechE (with a big passion for CFD & Heat Transfer)

Hi Sergios,

A family member did mechanical engineering and found his Widex moment 440 rics very effective for speech in noise. I realise a ric is probably not appropriate but may be worth checking the moment or allure range for suitability. I understand how difficult it can be trying to hear in noise, particularly when you are learning too-so it’s great you have reached out for advice here. As mentioned, the fitting is integral to performance. A fresh set up using could transform the sound. Do you have any grants available to you for assistive technology? This may be helpful but I know the best thing will be for you to get better performance with your hearing aids. I hope you get lots of good advice here and the right support. If the first dispenser isn’t right for you keep trying. I found only about 20% do the fitting as it should be.

Due to your severe to profound , test trial Oticon Xceed or Phonal Naida or Resound Enzo IA to see which one is suitable for your HL.

In reply to @tinkyp

Did you actually look at/understand at the ?

Both ears have or are bordering on a profound loss. Considering their age, investigation would seem to be the starting point. As others have said, UP aids will likely help in the immediate term.

We’re getting to the point where aids don’t really help and all forms of amplification might cause resolution issues.

In reply to @Um_bongo

@Um_bongo said:

Did you actually look at/understand at the Audiogram?

Both ears have or are bordering on a profound loss. Considering their age, CI investigation would seem to be the starting point. As others have said, UP aids will likely help in the immediate term.

We’re getting to the point where RIC aids don’t really help and all forms of amplification might cause resolution issues.

Thank you, I really appreciate you taking the time to look at this closely. I’ll definitely take what you said into account. I’m just not fully sure yet about , how they actually sound/work day to day, and whether I’d get a good outcome from one in my specific situation. Still trying to understand it better before making any decisions.

In reply to @Sergios

I would recommend going to another audiologist and getting them to fit your existing devices using best practices. If not, it's unlikely that Audeo E Sphere being released next month will be a good option for you and a SP/UP device is the only hearing aid that'd be recommended given your degree of loss.

Given that your age I'd very much recommend looking at candidacy. Getting CI's could be the difference between success and failure in your placement and future career. It's a process and you'll get all the information you need as part of any candidacy assessment. To start with though you'll need a properly fitted hearing aid for at least the left ear.

It won't help so much in noise, but if you have an iPhone the free NALScribe app can do free transcription of live speech in quieter situations which may be of great assistance to you in the interim.

Edited

In reply to @Sergios

@Sergios said:

whether I’d get a good outcome from one in my specific situation.

Why would you have poor outcome with ? What do you base your assumptions on?

@Sergios said:

how they actually sound/work day to day

Given the severity of your hearing loss, which means also loss of sound quality and clarity, it's highly probable that CI hearing after rehabilitation will be substantially better.

You're young and I suppose has also social necessities which are hampered by your loss. And you're probably in constant tension whether you will lose your job or at least colleagues sympathy.

Majority of people who procrastinate getting a CI even for several years (like even 15) said that they regret taking a cochlear implant so late.

It's because they realised that at this time, there were many life opportunities that have been squandered by poor hearing resulting from an unwillingness to take a big step with CI.

My sister has 2 ci's and you would never know it by talking to her, she just hums along as if nothing is changed.

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