I have the iPhone 6. I had a lot of distortion on both telephone calls and streaming podcasts from my iPa, particularly when sitting about 15 feet from my home Wi-Fi box. I noticed that I was using the 2.4 Ghz signal. Fortunately I have a Wi-Fi box that can also operate at 5 Ghz. I tried that, and it made a big difference on podcasts. Strangely, it also seemed to help on telephone calls.
For anybody who is getting distortion, I would recommend that you get away from any Wi-Fi signal and see if that makes a difference. If it does you might want to consider a 5 Ghz router.
We have a dual band TP-Link router at home and I connect with my iphone 5 to the 5 GHz band. Of course when I’m out, I’m connecting with the data plan. I haven’t seen much difference–still the same distortion. I think, as another poster indicated, it may be that the iphone 6 is just a lot better to use with these aids than the iphone 5 or 5s. I just updated to the iphone 5 (purchased a used one on Ebay) from the 4s specifically to be able to use the App. It looks like I should have bit the bullet and updated to the iphone 6.
I have the iPhone 6. I had a lot of distortion on both telephone calls and streaming podcasts from my iPa, particularly when sitting about 15 feet from my home Wi-Fi box. I noticed that I was using the 2.4 Ghz signal. Fortunately I have a Wi-Fi box that can also operate at 5 Ghz. I tried that, and it made a big difference on podcasts. Strangely, it also seemed to help on telephone calls.
For anybody who is getting distortion, I would recommend that you get away from any Wi-Fi signal and see if that makes a difference. If it does you might want to consider a 5 Ghz router.
The problem is that this is becoming harder and harder to do. The RF map of a household is just getting more complex all the time. Despite the best wishes of regulators, avoiding distortion and conflicts among the various wireless bands is becoming a huge issue. I think our garage door openers run on 115 MHz, then we get the good 'ol ubiquitous 2.4 GHz wireless. Our link to the outside internet is via a Motorola 900 MHz Canopy system, so that’s in the air. Our Panasonic phone system evidently runs on 1.92-1.93 GHz, and also sends and receives Bluetooth (the 2.4 GHz band also). Our Asus router runs on both 2.4 and 5 GHz…but the latter doesn’t have much range. Of course, I can add my Kirkland KS6 hearing aids on 2.4 GHz to that list. You may easily have this many bands and more in your household. The engineering behind all these frequency bands states that they are placed so that they don’t interfere with one another. Don’t bet money on it.
The problem is that this is becoming harder and harder to do. The RF map of a household is just getting more complex all the time. Despite the best wishes of regulators, avoiding distortion and conflicts among the various wireless bands is becoming a huge issue. I think our garage door openers run on 115 MHz, then we get the good 'ol ubiquitous 2.4 GHz wireless. Our link to the outside internet is via a Motorola 900 MHz Canopy system, so that’s in the air. Our Panasonic phone system evidently runs on 1.92-1.93 GHz, and also sends and receives Bluetooth (the 2.4 GHz band also). Our Asus router runs on both 2.4 and 5 GHz…but the latter doesn’t have much range. Of course, I can add my Kirkland KS6 hearing aids on 2.4 GHz to that list. You may easily have this many bands and more in your household. The engineering behind all these frequency bands states that they are placed so that they don’t interfere with one another. Don’t bet money on it.
All you are doing by citing all of these things is to create confusion. None of them have any bearing on the problem, as long as they are not on 2.4 ghz. The only pertinent device you have cited is the 2.4 ghz router, which is exactly what I was explaining in the first place.
I will say it again. People who are experiencing problems with distortion and interference might want to try getting away from any 2.4 ghz wireless router and see if it makes a difference. If it does, they have the option of getting a 5 ghz router.
Well, if all your devices support 5Ghz, it makes sense. But, few could disable the 2.4Ghz side of a dual band router without losing connection for devices that can’t do 5Ghz.
All you are doing by citing all of these things is to create confusion. None of them have any bearing on the problem, as long as they are not on 2.4 ghz. The only pertinent device you have cited is the 2.4 ghz router, which is exactly what I was explaining in the first place.
I will say it again. People who are experiencing problems with distortion and interference might want to try getting away from any 2.4 ghz wireless router and see if it makes a difference. If it does, they have the option of getting a 5 ghz router.
“The more you know,” my friend. Confusion has a solution, and that is education. Do yourself a favor and look up interference maps of the various frequency bands. Other bands do most emphatically have an effect on the 2.4 GHz band. IN THEORY, and decades ago, frequency allocations were mapped out so as not to cause interference. In practice, the RF bands are so crowded today that interference can be all too real.
This is my first post after “lurking” on the hearing aid forums for a couple of years. Thank you to everyone on the forum for their comments. They have been very helpful in guiding me to the KS6 from Costco!
I’m a former audio recording engineer and a first time user. After reading and gathering information from the forum, I decided to get the KS6s. I wanted a model that would work with my iPhone 5 and least offered some level of adjustment. Here’s my impression of Costco and the KS6s:
Costco - I live in Arkansas and was fitted at the closest Costco to me on Hacks Cross Road in Memphis. Dwayne and Clarice did an excellent job of fitting and a follow-up “tweaking” of the HAs. The isolation booth, fitting software, and overall fitting experience was very professional. They took all the time I needed and were adept in programming the HAs.
KS6 - Since I’m a first time wearer, I can’t compare with any other model. I’ve had the KS6s for about 2 months. They are meeting my needs and providing a much better level of understanding speech. I have many meetings, both large and small, big help there. Regular phone conversations are also much better. I haven’t had any technical issues. The batteries are lasting about one week, but I don’t use the bluetooth streaming that often. The ability to change volume, mute, and adjust the treble and bass has been very handy.
Programs: I have the HAs setup with 4 programs; overall, party, music, and outdoors. 90% of the time I have them set to overall. The party setting is the standard preset. It seems to work OK. It focuses the mic reception towards the front and tries to mask out background sounds. Not perfect by any means, but it helps in a crowded environment. I worked with Clarice on the music setting. The music setting is one that has the “music mode” turned on in the digital feedback settings. I’m a part time luthier and string instrument player. I noticed that the “overall” program will make a ringing tone as the feedback circuits try to compensate for what it thinks is feedback while playing an instrument. The music setting does not seem to have this issue. We created an outdoor setting that is the same as overall with the wind guard turned on. It only slightly helps in the wind. I did have the high end eq increased 3 db with this setting so it also acts as a “treble boost” setting.
Streaming: I haven’t had an issue with the bluetooth streaming. The only problem is the 1-2 second delay while the phone switches to answer a call, but it’s manageable. I asked if the the HA mics could be muted automatically when the phone switches to streaming. They checked with the Resound rep. The answer is no. The best way to accomplish this is to mute a stream at the beginning of the day. The auto-mute will stay in effect until the HAs are powered down in the evening. iPhone calls are much better understood now while streaming.
HAs are optimized for speech, so they aren’t the best replacements for earbuds when it comes to music. I have open domes, so the bass “leaks” out. To compensate, we set up the streaming program with the “bass boost” setting on. I also got some tulip domes and for more serious music listening. The Choice app and the iPhone minimal eq adjustments in the music preferences help. Bass boost or treble cut seems to work better for me. I have also had better success with an app named, “Equalizer Pro”. You can make much more extensive eq adjustments with it. With tulip domes and some eq compensation, I’d say the music stream is 85% good. We also set the streaming program to allow 3db of all frequencies along with my hi frequency loss settings. I reasoned that if there is no sound being fed to the HAs in the lower frequencies, then you have nothing to boost with the Apple eq or apps.
Overall, I’m very pleased with the KS6s. They are improving my life and the ability to control them with my phone makes them even better.
You our might want to revisit the idea of setting the aids to mute automatically in streaming. I can confirm that it is possible with Resound Linx/Linx2 models in the Aventa software but only after the iphone has been paired. (The Rep also told my audiologist it wasn’t possible!) It seems likely that Resound would keep this ability in the Costo version. There is not much on the Resound website about how to do this so not everyone knows. If you are seeing your fitter again get them to check the streaming program - this should be somewhere in the software where paired device settings are eg. for streamers. In the Aventa version you can set all/any paired devices to mute during streaming but be aware that you cannot then unmute with the app during streaming. I did not find that a problem.
Good Luck and post if you are able to get it to work so others will know for sure if it works with the Costco version.
You our might want to revisit the idea of setting the aids to mute automatically in streaming. I can confirm that it is possible with Resound Linx/Linx2 models
The option to automatically mute the hearing aid microphones when streaming with Apple devices is only available on LiNX2. It’s not available on LiNX or KS6.
but do the Duracells cost more …effectively making any savings a wash? Granted, it would be nice to not have to change the batteries as often. I get about 7 days in my Quintra’s (uses the 312 batts). But no streaming.
I use the Costco 312 batteries. In my usage, I get an average of about 6 or 7 days as well (on most batteries - some do not). This is curious: if I remove the foil protector and leave the battery on the shelf but do not use it, I find the battery life to be also 6-7 days. So it is important to keep the foil on until you need the batteries.
Have you called the Member’s support for the phone app? My Costco hearing aid dispenser gave me this number if I had problems with the App 844-833-1133. I have an iPhone 6+ and Kirkland 6.0 and they seem to pair well.
I finally did call and after explaining the problem they felt I had a defective right . Costco took it back and replaced it in one week. Now everything works great even streaming.
Thanks for for the number. Now I am totally happy with the KS6’s.
and the focus will be narrower with more microphones. the rexton trax 42’s revolutionary binaural beamforming technology uses all 4 mics (2 per aids) together by fully streaming sounds between aids in order to narrowly focus on sounds. plus it can focus on sounds not just directly in front of you, but also to pretty much any direction as this setup is adaptive. binaural beamforming technology is something everybody who wears hearing aids should learn about. and like I keep writing, it’s only available in phonak venture and siemens binax/rexton trax 42 aids.
I knew there was some truth to the hype of this technology as now a historically average at best brand, siemens, is now considered to have the best aid in the world. and now we can all get this technology via the rexton trax 42 at costco.
I can’t believe some are buying the ks6 aid without even trying the rexton trax 42.
I have two questions:
Is the beamforming different than the binaural directionality that the ReSound/Kirkland KS6 has and if so, how?
I read in this blog, that the trax 42 has 42 channels vs the 17 channels of the KS6. What exactly is meant by ‘channels’ and what advantage is there to 42 vs 17?
i am a newbie and am still in my trial period. I love the KS6 and am pretty sure I wouldn’t change but that could be because I do not know better.
HAs are optimized for speech, so they aren’t the best replacements for earbuds when it comes to music. I have open domes, so the bass “leaks” out. To compensate, we set up the streaming program with the “bass boost” setting on.
Okra, did the Costco dispenser set up the streaming program with “bass boost” in their software or are you referring to the “bass boost” in the iphone settings equalizer?
Also, can you describe what other adjustments they made in their software for the iphone streaming program? I’d like to be able to tell my dispenser the best way to set it up for streaming music. Thanks.
The option to automatically mute the hearing aid microphones when streaming with Apple devices is only available on LiNX2. It’s not available on LiNX or KS6.
With just the iPhone I can stream but not mute the pics on my KS 6s. With the phone clip + I can stream and mute the aids, just like I could with the KS5s.
I am considering the Rexton Trax 42 vs Kirkland ks6.
It’s time to get replacement hearing aids and I’m coming from Resound Live 7 LV770 with remote mikes that fit in the pinna. These ’s worked up to 7050 Hz which was the best I could find 5 years ago.
Modes that would work well for me: All round, Music, Outdoor (wind reduction), Party
Have always worn ITE’s since I wear glasses, but I’m willing to test/try the since the housing’s that sit on the ear are so small now.
Actually going to Costco today in a few hours for a hearing test which is routine, my hearing has not changed in 40 years (congenital loss) and the will simply show what I already know.
Been a lurker for a while to read up as much as I can. Thanks to all - it’s a great forum.
I have researched all the pros/cons of the remotes/wireless/streamer capabilities by reading this entire thread and the Trax 42 threads - I don’t need advice on streaming since it’s so well covered in this forum!
Will be trying to choose between the KS6 and Trax 42 and welcome any recommendations between the two in terms of how well they sound and applicability for my loss.
The Trax 42 kind of has my attention with it’s 10500 Hz but wonder if it is really noticeable and worth the extra ~$1,000 over the KS6.
Thanks, doubledown for your thoughts on the Trax 42.
Freq R L
250 25 30
500 35 35
750 40 40
1000 45 45
1500 55 55
2000 55 60
3000 55 60
4000 50 55
6000 55 60
8000 50 55
L 45 R 45 dB
@Norcal - There is a “bass boost” setting in the Costco version of the Aventa software that can be selected for all programs. It is in the advanced settings section. I found this Linx fitting guide online and it was very useful to me to understand all the various settings and functions available: ReSound LiNX Fitting Guide1. Page 11 shows the “bass boost” selection.
I don’t think steamed music will ever be great. The initial setting made the music sound tinny with hardly any mids or bass. I believe this is due to the open fitting and the fact that my are tuned for hi-frquency hearing loss. I had the fitter switch on the “bass boost” and also add a 3db boost across the lower frequencies. My Hi-frequency loss eq adjustment curve remained the same. This adjustment adds lower frequencies to the stream as my adjustment is only for the upper end. By sending some sound across all frequencies to the HAs, there is sound that can be further boosted with the iPhone EQ or some other EQ app. Hopefully, this makes sense…
By using closed or tulip domes you can further increase bass. This helps stop the bass from leaking out. You can demonstrate the effect by cupping your hands over your ears while streaming with open domes. The bass will increase.
So far I have gotten the best music stream by:
Have the “bass boost” switched on
Use Tulip domes for serious music listening
Increase the bass with the Costco Choice app
Further increase the bass with the Apple music eq settings - bass boost or treble cut
Use another equalizer/music player app such as Equalizer Pro. These allow you really customize the EQ curve to your liking. I really like an app called EQu, but unfortunately, it causes distortion with the HAs and Equalizer Pro does not.
These settings have worked for me, but your mileage may vary…
I meant to add to my last post that I had the best music listening experience I’ve had in years last weekend. I grabbed a pair of semi closed-over ear AKG K240 reference headphones and plugged in my iphone. I left the on my ears and set the HA program to music. I tweaked the EQ somewhat, but it was incredibly better than anything I’ve heard in a long time.
channels and bands are used interchangeably in the hearing aid world. but recently I believe bands are being referred to a set of frequencies between which you can change the gain/volume. channel is the set of frequencies between which you can change the compression ratio.
the rexton trax 42 has 20 bands and 42 compression channels. so you can adjust the gain/volume in 20 bands and change the compression ratio in 42 channels.
@Norcal - There is a “bass boost” setting in the Costco version of the Aventa software that can be selected for all programs. It is in the advanced settings section. I found this Linx fitting guide online and it was very useful to me to understand all the various settings and functions available: ReSound LiNX Fitting Guide. Page 11 shows the “bass boost” selection.
I don’t think steamed music will ever be great. The initial setting made the music sound tinny with hardly any mids or bass. I believe this is due to the open fitting and the fact that my HAs are tuned for hi-frquency hearing loss. I had the fitter switch on the “bass boost” and also add a 3db boost across the lower frequencies. My Hi-frequency loss eq adjustment curve remained the same. This adjustment adds lower frequencies to the stream as my adjustment is only for the upper end. By sending some sound across all frequencies to the HAs, there is sound that can be further boosted with the iPhone EQ or some other EQ app. Hopefully, this makes sense…
By using closed or tulip domes you can further increase bass. This helps stop the bass from leaking out. You can demonstrate the effect by cupping your hands over your ears while streaming with open domes. The bass will increase.
So far I have gotten the best music stream by:
Have the “bass boost” switched on
Use Tulip domes for serious music listening
Increase the bass with the Costco Choice app
Further increase the bass with the Apple music eq settings - bass boost or treble cut
Use another equalizer/music player app such as Equalizer Pro. These allow you really customize the EQ curve to your liking. I really like an app called EQu, but unfortunately, it causes distortion with the HAs and Equalizer Pro does not.
These settings have worked for me, but your mileage may vary…
Thanks very much for that. I have an appointment this week and I’ll ask her to set it up that way. I also have higher frequency loss (above about 2k).
I really appreciate your posting the fitting guide too.
I do wish that the app automatically muted the aids when a phone call comes in or I switch to listening to music. It seems like that would be a great update to the software or at least give us the option to turn “auto-mute” on in settings.
Somewhat off-topic, my wife starts dancing when I stream music because she can hear it coming out of my aids.
NW Indiana
Australia