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Phonak Audeo Q90/Q70/Q50 features

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Hello everyone,
I have to select between the next models: Phonak Audeo Q90/Q70/Q50.
The only difference between the models is an availability of these features:
Speech in Wind, auto StereoZoom, StereoZoom,auto ZoomControl,ZoomControl,DuoPhone,UltraZoom, -Boost, FlexControl, FlexVolume, SoundRecover, Real Ear Sound, SoundFlow, Everyday AutomaticChannels, WhistleBlock, NoiseBlock, WindBlock, EchoBlock, SoundRelax.
Do these features really matter to pay extra for it?
PS: I need for both ears.

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@STALS said:

The Q models are covered by my medical insurance. We still have no insurance refund for the V models.

Ahh… That makes sense. Insurance was never a consideration for me as Cigna covers nothing for hearing aids.

Do you already wear hearing aids? If so what brand/model. I believe that many of these features have a real added value when wearing aids, especially features like stereozoom, auto stereozoom, ultrazoom, and sound flow all add a lot functionality to the aid. Some of the other features are nice. Some don’t work up to my expectations. YMMV.

The V’s are, as mentioned, a big advance over the Q’s and that includes better battery life too. You might see if your audiologist would sell you the Q’s and then sell you a separate upgrade. The retail on the V is only a nominal increase over the current price. A thread here should that Connect Hearing was charging only $300 extra.

As far as whether the extra features are worth the price, a big consideration would be what listening environments you often find yourself in. If you spend most of your time in a quiet indoor environment, for instance, and just need to understand your spouse better, then the lower-priced models would probably be adequate. If you are often in crowded restaurants, noisy work environments, or are active in outdoor sports, I think the extra features of the higher-priced models would be worth it.

In reply to @Brad109

@Brad109 said:

Do you already wear hearing aids? If so what brand/model. I believe that many of these features have a real added value when wearing aids, especially features like stereozoom, auto stereozoom, ultrazoom, and sound flow all add a lot functionality to the aid. Some of the other features are nice. Some don’t work up to my expectations. YMMV.

I tried Siemens Centra Life 8 years ago. But I was not ready for from psychological point of view. But now my hearing is degraded to the limit where I have no choice. I must to start using HA.

— Updated —

@ziploc said:

As far as whether the extra features are worth the price, a big consideration would be what listening environments you often find yourself in. If you spend most of your time in a quiet indoor environment, for instance, and just need to understand your spouse better, then the lower-priced models would probably be adequate. If you are often in crowded restaurants, noisy work environments, or are active in outdoor sports, I think the extra features of the higher-priced models would be worth it.

Thank you for your answer

— Updated —

@KenP said:

The V’s are, as mentioned, a big advance over the Q’s and that includes better battery life too. You might see if your audiologist would sell you the Q’s and then sell you a separate upgrade. The retail on the V is only a nominal increase over the current price. A thread here should that Connect Hearing was charging only $300 extra.

I’ll try. Thank you for your answer

ziploc is right that the features’ value is largely determined by how active and busy your lifestyle is. However, I will still say that even someone leading a slower paced lifestyle will typically enjoy the advanced features. They will routinely say that the devices , “Just work better.” But what you will be satisfied with is very subjective, so it is difficult to predict even judging by your lifestyle.

@doubledown said:

That is an insane audiogram. you are going to have to try multiple brands. you have a cookie bite loss in one ear and a ski slope loss in the other. i would try siemens binax 7bx for their 48 channel aid. comes with frequency compression for your ski slope loss. other thing to try is widex’s audibility extender tech. however this tech will help your “good ear” more. both aids comes with tinnitus maskers. but you will need to see an independent audi for the above aids.

phonaks are just above average in terms of frequency range. you need the best. oticon, widex, siemens.

find out what aids are covered by your insurance. I suspect only widex dream will be covered. and get a list of audi in your area in your plan.

Seriously check your state’s human services dept for help in paying for aids. May cover more than your insurance so can possibly not have to be reatricted with your choice.

Thank you for your time!
Siemens 7bx is out of my insurance. Maximum expectation is 3mi. Maximum phonak expectation is V90.
But I already have selected a beltone legend (also known as ReSound Linx2). You can have a look on my review: Hearing Aid Forum - Active Hearing Loss Community1

If you are going to get a Resound-made product, I would recommend getting it with the Resound name on it as opposed to Beltone. Don’t limit your options for who can work on it. Do you have any other options? Widex or Oticon would do so much better. Although I would not bother with the , as your mid frequencies are not “better enough” than your highs for it to really make a difference. The Resound and Phonak devices will both be less than optimal for different reasons. Be careful with the Beltones/Resounds because they have a reputation for creating satisfied customers for a few months and then fading in effectiveness as you become accustomed to them.

Edited

Thank you for your answer.
The problem is that I’m looking for covered by my insurance. Insurance covers the only “old” models. By “old” models I mean models from previous generations. For example: Phonak Audeo Q instead V, Siemens mi instead bx. But in case of Beltone I have the last generation model in half price.
Regarding Beltone/Resound: Beltone AUDI in my city is very experienced specialist, but he sells the Beltone products only. ReSound AUDI is a young girl just finished her studies…

That is tough. Gotta do what you gotta do. But what happens if your very experienced Beltone guy leaves for some reason? Then you are stuck with whomever is left at Beltone or, as in our town, if the Beltone office closes completely, then what? Our nearest Beltone store is 3 hours away. But we have 4 or 5 people that can work on Resound.

And I may be showing my bias here, but I would rather have a Phonak Q or a Siemens Micon than a Resound Linx2. The best improvement I have ever seen with a Linx2 9 was about 8 , but the Siemens Micon 3mi routinely gets an SNR improvement of 12-15 dB (They claim 15, but I don’t usually see that kind of result during measurement).

I’m not trying to dissuade you, as I said, you’ve gotta do what your gut tells you sometimes and you are there and I am not.

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