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Phillips 9050 started hissing

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I have had my Phillips 9050 for 2yrs now. Really have liked them until this morning. My left unit started a static hiss this morning when i put them on and the hiss is accompanied by an abrupt cutting in and out effect when there is any louder noise like a plate clanking or even some on walking on a hard floor.

My domes are nearly new. I replaced them 2-3 days ago and replaced the at the same time. I have tried brushing out the microphones and switching programs. Nothing seems to help. My right unit is working normally.

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I have had the same problems with every brand of hearing aid. My KS10's just started in one ear. Usually, takes a year (sometimes 6 months) between rebuilds for all of mine because of dropped channels, hissing, bluetooth failure, etc. Free rebuilds at Costco under the 3 year warranty so take them in and have them shipped to be fixed. Takes about 2 weeks or less. After 3 years the cost is $135 each.

I always have my last set rebuilt to use as spares just for this situation.

Some more information….

I have had issues with the programs in the past and so became a programmer. The mode that works correctly is a mode i built myself for listening to live music. And the original “HIFI Music” program works as well.

The factory “general” and “airplane” modes that were programmed by Costco when i bought them both have the same problem with the left device. As soon as i switch to my custom program or hifi music the problem goes away…

In reply to @reindeer

Dryers are great insurance, preventive maintenance for hearing aids. When I wore hearing aids u used a dryer daily, never had issues you described.

You mentioned changing programs and the issue stopped. That still doesn't count out the need for a dryer based on voltages and connections in the aids.

The amplifier is breaking down on the one aid. They start ‘frying’ as part of that process, usually as a drive capacitor goes.

I have 9040 . The right receiver (85 power) typically lasts only about 6 months before breaking down. The left is not driven as hard and lasts longer.

Costco replaces the receivers for at least three years.

I've had issues like this with my Oticon More's. It's likely that one or more microphones has gone bad. I don't know if Philips has the same error beeps as Oticon, but if it does you will likely get a series of 8 beeps four times after a few days.

My hypothesis is that the hearing aid increases the gain of the other microphones to compensate for the loss of one, which can add background hiss, and "loud audio" compensation.

Oticon claimed the damage to mine was moisture related.

So i went to costco today and they updated the devices and replaced the left receiver. Doesn't seem to have made any difference. I need to reload my programs on it and try a little tinkering to see if i can track the problem down myself.

I also asked about and purchased a dryer like was recommended above. Gonna get started using that now. Wonder why costco didn't recomend that to me up front.

On a different note...I had noticed previously when DIY programming that the left device was setup for a bass double dome and the right for an open bass. They had given me open bass for both devices. Today they insisted that i need one of each...Boy do i ever hate my left device now. I guess i was to used to the way it was. feels like someone has a big plug in my left ear.

They don't make them like they used to...

This is the first pair of hearing aids where I've ever had such issues. I haven't had them for 4 years yet, and both aids have already been replaced twice with the same microphone issues. The second time was just outside of warranty, and they replaced/repaired them for free out of "goodwill".

I've worn hearing aids all my life. The last pair of Phonaks I had lasted me about 9 years without any issue. I've never used a dryer. I don't live in a hot or humid environment, nor do I exercise a whole lot. They get the odd drop of rain on them and a bit of steam from cooking every now and then.

I have a dryer now, but of course, the hearing aids are rechargeable, so it's not like I can just stick them in the dryer overnight, because that's when I need to charge them. Therefore I have to be without hearing aids for around 45 minutes each morning or evening if I want to stick them in the dryer.

Ironically, the marketing material for Oticon's travel charger claims (or at least used to claim) they acted like a dryer as well - which is a load of bollocks as far as I'm concerned. The only "drying" that happens maybe is a little heat generated from the battery charging...

In reply to @reindeer

Had the same issues years ago because my ear canals are very small. Domes seem to set a groove and hurt like heat to pull them out in the evening. Went with molds and the comfort is no comparison. Plus the sound is more full and music is like listening to nice headphones. First ones were unvented and did not work for me. Got the 1mm vents and worked great.

According to the Philips user guide for the 9050, there doesn't appear to have the exact beep sequence you mention.

It does mention the same "8 beeps repeated 4 times" that the Oticon's have though - that's the microphone service warning.

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