Resound Alera vs. Future

@nancyb said:

Thanks again Battery Ears. Was anyone able to find the specs for the Futures? Has anyone heard any more about the differences between the Alera 9s and the Futures? I can purchase the 9’s through Hearing Revolution for $1999 each. Remote included. Audi visits for a year. Or I can go with the Futures. I just want to make sure, since I’m spending all this $$) that I get everything I could use. (not that I couldn’t use saving money in the process.)

One other thing. I stopped at Costco the other day to look at the size of the Futures. When I asked the audi/despenser if he could take one out so I could compare it next to my Deltas, he got very testy asking me if I wanted to buy today and if I were only buying the aid based on the size. Long story short. I did not like him, nor would I want him to be in charge of my adjustments. I’m assuming there’s more than one person at their Hearing Centers.

The 312 casing is fatter and longer than your Delta, which is understandable given the size of the battery and the wireless aerial/chip. Mae sure you are happy with the receiver wire retention too - couple of people have noted issues with them coming apart.

Hi Every one,
I work at Costco and I manage one of the largest hearing centers. I’ve only worked for Costco for just over a year. I previously was an an area manager for a larger hearing company.
My wife has worked for Costco for 14 years and they have treated her very well so last year I heard Costco was getting the resound and the “D-7” chip in there KSha03 (Kirkland signature) I decided to come to work for “The dark side”:). So I’ve had experienced dealing with Resound, Rexton and Bernifon on both sides of the fence.
I just joined the forum today to see how people like the Future and to see how Costco’s hearing center is doing as far as “member service”, when I came across this post.
So I copied the 961 and 761 post and will put a slimly face by the feature that the future has.

961: 4 User Programs + Phone Now + Phone Clip + Streamers:)
761: 3 User Programs + Phone Now + Phone Clip + Streamers

961: 9 Gain Handles for adjustment:)
761: 7 Gain Handles for adjustment

961: Environmental Optimizer: Environmental Optimizer II:)
761: Environmental Optimizer: None

961: Directionality: Natural Directionality II, Softswitching w/Autoscope, Multiscope w/Autoscope, Fixed:)
761: Directionality: Softswitching, Multiscope withOUT Autoscope, Fixed

961: Beamwidth: Autoscope only (option can’t be changed)
761: Beamwidth: Narrow, Medium, Wide (no Autoscope)

961: Expansion: Off, Mild, Moderate, Strong:)
761: Expansion: Off, Mild, Moderate

961: Noise Tracker II: Off, Mild, Moderate, Considerable, Strong, Per Environment:)
761: Noise Tracker II: Off, Mild, Moderate, Considerable

961: Directional Mix: Very Low, Low, Medium, High:)
761: Directional Mix: Option Not Available

961: DFS Ultra: Off, Mild, Moderate, Strong:)
761: DFS Ultra: Off, Mild, Moderate

Separately the warranty is also different as listed below:
961: 3 Years If Broken, 3 Years If Lost
761: 2 Years If Broken, 2 Years If Lost:)3 Year warranty 2 year loss and damage with no deductible !
Futures (861?): 3 Years if Broken, 2 Years If Lost

The future also has 9 gain handles like the Alara 9

Let me know if you have any questions. I may be able to get a screen shot of the software’s feature page.
http://lq95643.minfix.com/site/a890e309-6106-4ef5-8df7-c157aad6c44c

Thanks for your post. I like the Future and although I’m still in the trial I have no interest in trying anything else. These work great.

I would be interested in seeing screen shots of DFS Ultra options and Environmental Optimizer. I would like to see my options on those before I go back for my, probably, last adjustment session.

Are you saying that Costco will make the Resound their KS model? Currently the KS is the Rexton Cobalt 16. It makes sense. The Resound is much newer than the Cobalt.

Anyway, I think you just sold a lot of Futures.

@Don said:

Thanks for your post. I like the Future and although I’m still in the trial I have no interest in trying anything else. These work great.

I would be interested in seeing screen shots of DFS Ultra options and Environmental Optimizer. I would like to see my options on those before I go back for my, probably, last adjustment session.

Are you saying that Costco will make the Resound their KS model? Currently the KS is the Rexton Cobalt 16. It makes sense. The Resound is much newer than the Cobalt.

Anyway, I think you just sold a lot of Futures.

Or Unsold a lot of Aleras

@wired said:

Thanks for the postings on the “Future features”, Delmar and Battery Ears. Like Don I am trialing a set of Futures, which I just picked up 3 days ago. I have to say that so far I am very happy with the Future’s, the Costco audi, and the entire Costco experience. The Future’s are light weight, and as I am lucky enough to be able to wear the open fit domes, very natural sounding. As I have only had them for such a short time I have not been able to really give all the programs a good trial, especially the “Restaurant” program. I do still have a bit of trouble with female voices speaking softly, but I think a gain boost for those frequencies would remedy that. I expect that it will take a few visits to get them where I like them, but so far I am very pleased.
So far, by my Costco experience, I would urge anyone whose hearing profile fits the HA’s that Costco offers, to give them a try.

Going today.

@nancyb said:

Going today.

Good luck! Hope it is a positive experience and that you like the Futures!

I’ve written my check for the Futures. I wore both the Verites and the Futures for a bit of time while walking around (and sampling the food). To my ear the Verites had a crisper sound, more like my Oticon Deltas. However, I decided to go with the Futures. The sound was more mellow, and I’m impressed with all the positive comments people have expressed. At first the dispenser was pushing (or at least praising) the Verites. She admitted she had only fitted a few Futures. I told her that as long as we could work together to get them where I needed them, I was fine with that.

I can hardly wait to hear again. (one old hearing aid is not doing the trick).

Nancy

@Delmar said:

Hi Every one,
I work at Costco and I manage one of the largest hearing centers. I’ve only worked for Costco for just over a year. I previously was an an area manager for a larger hearing company.
My wife has worked for Costco for 14 years and they have treated her very well so last year I heard Costco was getting the resound and the “D-7” chip in there KSha03 (Kirkland signature) I decided to come to work for “The dark side”:). So I’ve had experienced dealing with Resound, Rexton and Bernifon on both sides of the fence.
I just joined the forum today to see how people like the Future and to see how Costco’s hearing center is doing as far as “member service”, when I came across this post.
So I copied the 961 and 761 post and will put a slimly face by the feature that the future has.

961: 4 User Programs + Phone Now + Phone Clip + Streamers:)
761: 3 User Programs + Phone Now + Phone Clip + Streamers

961: 9 Gain Handles for adjustment:)
761: 7 Gain Handles for adjustment

961: Environmental Optimizer: Environmental Optimizer II:)
761: Environmental Optimizer: None

961: Directionality: Natural Directionality II, Softswitching w/Autoscope, Multiscope w/Autoscope, Fixed:)
761: Directionality: Softswitching, Multiscope withOUT Autoscope, Fixed

961: Beamwidth: Autoscope only (option can’t be changed)
761: Beamwidth: Narrow, Medium, Wide (no Autoscope)

961: Expansion: Off, Mild, Moderate, Strong:)
761: Expansion: Off, Mild, Moderate

961: Noise Tracker II: Off, Mild, Moderate, Considerable, Strong, Per Environment:)
761: Noise Tracker II: Off, Mild, Moderate, Considerable

961: Directional Mix: Very Low, Low, Medium, High:)
761: Directional Mix: Option Not Available

961: DFS Ultra: Off, Mild, Moderate, Strong:)
761: DFS Ultra: Off, Mild, Moderate

Separately the warranty is also different as listed below:
961: 3 Years If Broken, 3 Years If Lost
761: 2 Years If Broken, 2 Years If Lost:)3 Year warranty 2 year loss and damage with no deductible !
Futures (861?): 3 Years if Broken, 2 Years If Lost

The future also has 9 gain handles like the Alara 9

Let me know if you have any questions. I may be able to get a screen shot of the software’s feature page.

Could you sell the hearing aids online and provide the software?

@Smiley said:

I am looking forward to Costco expanding in Australia. They are new here, and only have a couple of Warehouses so far, the closest being a thousand miles away… a bit far.

Me too!! The Sydney store is suppose to open in July, but can’t see July on the website anymore. Hope it’s still planned to open then, because every time I read on here about peoples’ experiences with costco I am really encouraged by going that route myself. The savings make it the logical choice for me. I’m finally accepting and excited about getting hearing aids, I just need the store to open! :rolleyes:

@Smiley said:

Maybe a bit of lower priced competition is needed here! We seem to be paying way too much for goods here, even though the Aussie dollar is so high. Someone is getting the benefit of the high Aussie dollar, and it isnt the consumer and it isnt the man on the land.

It IS needed… gawd it makes me so mad, we get royally ripped off (and I’m not talking just aids) :mad:. I think Costco will shake things up here with regard to hearing aid options, and I can’t wait.

@Smiley said:

So roll on Costco. They seem to have excellent hearing aids at amazing prices, just hope they do the same here in the Land Down Under in time for my next purchase.

Sydney and Canberra this year… who knows… maybe Qld will be next! Anyway, when the Syd store opens I’m going to find out what I can and post on this board, for other Aussies. Will be interesting to compare prices and brands with overseas stores. I’m assuming the hearing aids will be the same sold elsewhere?? I hope so, because so many on here seem really happy with theirs.

Does the Future come in a CIC style?

Can someone explain the remote mic? Where does it go? mount?
I see it in a picture on the website and it looks peculiar.

@Delmar said: (unavailable)

The future will be released in a CIC remote mic , around September. And at that time Costco will also get the rest of the wireless lineup.It should sell for around $1399 in the United States add $100 tax for California.

When I bought my Future’s from a California Costco in June there was no tax as they are considered a medical device.

The remote microphone tucks up into the helix, if you shoot me your e-mail address I’ll happily send you a picture of one inserted.

Some of the hearing instruments sold in California , Costco can absorb the tax on . But not all. California is unique with hearing instrument tax even though it’s a medical device they have a separate tax on hearing aids