Refitting questions - swapping Infinio for Eons

Would using power domes block my ear canal completely?

We have the same thing here in AUS. Alot about aurocast but doesn't actually seem to be anywhere yet.

These rechargeables seem to be like the Seinfeld episode, where they see how far the saab can get before it runs out. I am thinking the saab performed much better.

@d.allum said:

Would using power domes block my ear canal completely?

It depends on what you mean by "block my ear canal completely" - physically or acoustically? Physically - yes. AFAIK, power domes are considered as closed fit acoustically.

However, despite that here are always some leaks. But when you have more than 60 dB loss at 3 kHz and more, It is worth considering at least trying a completely closed or more closed fit. This is because of potential benefits from maximising feedback threshold as much as possible, making more gain for high frequencies possible..

Thanks for your reply.

I will be asking that when I go in on Tuesday. Which leads me to ask what is an average cost of an office visit and adjustment beyond the coverage period so I know if my audiologist is shooting straight?

I’ve not been charged for a clinic visit ot testing before buying hearing aids because I did buy the aids there, and the cost of the aids includes the full service. One pair I bought several years ago only included a one year warranty instead of the more usual 3 years. So after the first year I was charged for each visit. Starting at $25 per visit and rising to $35. I typically needed 2 to 4 visits a year. Any cleanings or repairs were then extra too. When ready to buy new aids, I changed to another clinic. My current hearing aids, Phonak Infinio 90 Sphere Ultra include a 3 year warranty. These aids can be listed as I90R. That means the Infinio at 90 technology level and rechargeable batteries. Most new aids are rechargeable as they need more power than the small button removable batteries can provide. If the name included T, that would mean they include a telecoil. Mine, sadly, do not.

If you buy hearing aids in one clinic, your service included in the cost does not transfer. Some places will sell unbundled, meaning you just buy the devices and separately pay for all services.

Also prices depend on level of technology. The Phonak, for instance, come in 3 levels, I think labeled 50, 70, 90. Every brand has their own designations. Only the highest (and most expensive) provides the best technology for hearing in noise, so don’t let them bait and switch by giving you a better price but a lower level of technology. Be sure they explain the differences in technology. For your situation, you need the highest level of technology. So you might want the Phonak E90R.

Picked up my Eons on Saturday. Previously I had always used open domes, even on infinios due to occlusion. Audiologist persuaded me to use vented as there has to be a balance between my voice sounding a little weird and actually being able to hear those higher frequencies. So far so good, doesn't sound weird all the time. I was quite startled yesterday when I put them in and suddenly the world became loud. I've never experienced that before in wearing HAs for 10 years.

Very early days but I'm liking the Eon so far. Seem tiny compared to the Infinio, my glasses sometimes slip over instead of under.

Sorry for the delay. I got my EONs and came down with some kind of virus that has had me out of action for a while.

I wasn't at my best on fitting day so walked away with nothing but Automatic in programs. Will definitely have to go back

But generally, the EONs have been amazing. Was in a very noisy busy place one day and it was only afterwards I realised that I'd heard everything. I've spent more than a decade just accepting that I'll have no idea what's going on when it's noisy/busy around me, and this time it wasn't even an effort. It was quite emotional!

They do feel substantially smaller than the Infinios.

I am having some issues I remember having with my Infinios as first, but that seemed to have gone away over time - like a static-y sound when on Bluetooth, and the hearing aids occasionally power cycling when I try to change programs.

But they do seem to be about the same as the Infinios, all in. Haven't had a chance to try vented domes but I am going to ask.

That's the first I've read of an entertainment location that would be available to the general public implementing the technology. I'd drop by during my likely "45 day free trial" of the Eon Spheres that may begin on Wednesday, but I'd have to travel east across the entire US and then fly across the Atlantic (but, Hey, Ireland is closer than London (if you're judging distances on a flat map rather than a globe).

Maybe it's fantastic technology, but if so the world is having a hard time believing so…

I think the uptake is going to be incredible when people realise what it does.

There are so many complaints about noise in cinemas these days. My old noise-cancelling headphones are auracast compatible now, apparently. I've had them for years. When people realise they can go to the cinema and put their headphones on while blocking out their neighbours talking and crinkling bags of sweets, I think it'll be a very big deal.

If the general population get on board with it, hearing aid users will be spoiled for choice.

Looking at the lists from the USA - it looks like mostly churches have it now.

@mikewot said:

Previously I had always used open domes, even on infinios due to occlusion. Audiologist persuaded me to use vented as there has to be a balance between my voice sounding a little weird and actually being able to hear those higher frequencies.

If someone has over 60 dB in higher frequencies, open fitting is associated with a significant loss of the benefits from hearing aids.

If you like to experiment you can also try to check your occlusion effect (or lack thereof) placing power domes as deep as possible with HA turned off.

The point is to place them at least partially in the bony part of ear canal. This may require smaller size of domes.

I do that having better low frequency hearing than you and it's wonderful (YMMV).

Changing domes is associated with more earplug effect, so HCP should set more gain to overcome that.

Honestly, the size was my only real complaint about the infinios. So these are awesome and my ears don't stick out quite so much. I was surprised how much that bothered me!

What about battery life on one charge? With Infinio Sphere 90 Ultra I have 30-40h. Roughly 2.5-2.8% per h.

It varies a lot? Like, the battery ran down a lot faster when I was at a convention because of the Sphere function.

I wear mine about 13-14 hours a day, and it's never below 50% when I take them off, so I haven't spent much time thinking about it tbh