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Power Domes HURT!

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In reply to @1Bluejay

@1Bluejay said:

Well well well well! Why am I not surprised? It appears that Oticon wants to force us into their vision of IOT solutions for streaming. I am irked. My aud-guy said the Oticon rep he spoke to (twice: in Nov and Dec last year) assured him it was coming out in Q1 - just around the corner. Now it appears that they’ll keep us dangling and then just say, “SUCKAH! Get on the IOT so we can SPY on you!” >:- /

This means that I can NEVER stop using my Agil Pros! I will have to stock two sizes of batteries and travel with the Agil Pros, their StreamerPro plus my Oticon Opns. I feel very misled, and had said on several occasions that a streamer was the deal breaker before I bought these aids.

My audi was told Q1’17 by Oticon as well. But I wouldn’t read too much into the “later this year” comment. The focus of that update was on direct streaming to Android phone. The “later this year” comment was just made in passing at the end and might not have intended to imply much later in the year. But I would not set my expectation any earlier than end of Q1.

By the way, the IOT does NOT do any streaming at all. Even if you decide to jump on the IoT bandwagon, you still don’t get streaming with IOT. Not until the ConnectClip comes for Android phones.

You may be surprised at how effective that trick to tuck the OPN inside your ear is for use with the phone. I can hear the phone loud and clear that way.

^^^^^ I have just tried your trick of tucking the Opn mic unit INTO my ear cup. Dude: this is serously not possible for me! The minute i lifted it up over my ear - let alone PUT IT INTO my ear - it was shrieking like a banshee with bad feedback! Putting it IN my ear just gave me a 120 dose of that same feedback - real close, as INTO my ear! Augh! <:-(0)

Also! I put my reading glasses on to get a better look-see at my two receivers? Turns out I’d somehow yanked the entire plastic sheath off my LEFT receiver when removing that leash several days ago. The sheath was still on my RIGHT receiver, but the leash had been snipped off. So! I had an “AH-!” moment!

I think I had leakage on the phone with the Comply foam dome cuz the left-side receiver was a bit loose in the donut hole! The right receiver fit snug as a bug in a rug, and had I put the phone to that ear, I may have been able to hear better? In any case, I only found all this out when I tried to put the size (L) foam dome on today. It fit real snug and nice on the right receiver, but it slipped all over with BAGGY leakage holes on the left one, prompting me to whip out my reading glasses and peer closer. DUH!

I would still like to get in to my aud-guy to lay it all out on the table for him: Comply foam domes vs Widex slicone. After all, he never charges me for any appt’s! And he may also profit from knowing that if a perfect seal can be achieved, some folks may find the Comply domes more comfy than standard HA silicon domes.

As for putting the entire mic unit INTO my ear, all I can scream is: “WeeEEeeeEEeeeEEeeeEEEEE!” (that’s the sound of 120 dB feedback)

@1Bluejay said:

^^^^^ I have just tried your trick of tucking the Opn mic unit INTO my ear cup. Dude: this is serously not possible for me! The minute i lifted it up over my ear - let alone PUT IT INTO my ear - it was shrieking like a banshee with bad feedback! Putting it IN my ear just gave me a 120 dB dose of that same feedback - real close, as INTO my ear! Augh! <:-(0)

As for putting the entire mic unit INTO my ear, all I can scream is: “WeeEEeeeEEeeeEEeeeEEEEE!” (that’s the sound of 120 dB feedback)

It looks like maybe your audi never ran the feedback analyzer test to install feedback control on your OPN. I think for somebody with your level hearing loss, it’s almost criminal that your audi has neglected to do this for you. The only reason I don’t get feedback on mine is because I had the feedback analyzer ran on my OPNs and feedback control programmed in. I urge you to insist to your audi to run the feedback analyzer and install feedback control on your OPN next time you see him.

Especially with your power dome and no vent, there should be no feedback even if you put your whole hand up against the . That was also the whole point of the Comply foam tips as well, to have a tight enough seal to eliminate feedback. But the feedback control has got to be turned on in the first place!

Yes, I need to get back in to my aud-guy with my MESS, dammit. I don’t have to fold a dome to insert it, but I still find I’d like something more comfortable than the current Widex power domes.

I think I may have opted to NOT run feedback management as I used to have a program dedicated to music, and didn’t want any degradation in that … but it would’ve been weeks ago, if at all. I have since removed that program entirely. Geez, I didn’t know one could/should be able to put the aid inside the ear cup with no feedback. I don’t get feedback with my hands placed over my ears, so that part works ok.

I just spent some time at the Comply website7, looking at the array of foam domes they have! I was interested in those under: “Hear More” (Isolation) and “Hear Clearly” (P-series). I think the P-series domes are the conical ones you’d mentioned before, Volusiano. It seems that either of these choices should have dense foam with no leakage - perhaps resulting in occlusion, but maybe worth a try. Only prob is that I don’t see either Oticon or Opn listed under the long list of compatible products in the “Hear More” section. They have Phonak, wouldntchaknow?

I’m going to noodle this a bit before I decide on the best course of action. I could buy a set of BOTH styles of dome and bring them with me … It’s a small price to pay for years of comfort & quality sound.

@1Bluejay said:

I think I may have opted to NOT run feedback management as I used to have a program dedicated to music, and didn’t want any degradation in that … but it would’ve been weeks ago, if at all. I have since removed that program entirely. Geez, I didn’t know one could/should be able to put the aid inside the ear cup with no feedback. I don’t get feedback with my hands placed over my ears, so that part works ok.

That’s the beauty of the OPN, though, one default setting which should work for all listening situations, from music to restaurant to driving, etc. We’re so used to doing it the old way with multiple programs for our old . Fortunately no more with the OPN.

So far I haven’t noticed any degradation when listening to music using the default program. Before with the old HAs it was very obvious that you don’t want to listen to music in noise reduction mode because you lose out on so much sonic timbre created by the music. But now it’s game changing to not have to worry about that and let the HA worry about that for you.

In reply to @1Bluejay

Was wondering… I have actual ear molds on my , but, both of them seem to be too small (or too slippery) and the come loose from my ear all the time, especially the left one. From the conversation in this thread, seems a dome would allow me to have a better fit? Is that you guys experience, or, are the molded ear pieces better (when they fit right). Unfortunately, changing the ear molds requires sending them and a ear canal cast to the ’s lab, where they change out the receiver to place it in the new ear mold.

Thanks!

Edited

Based on your hearing loss profile (fairly heavy loss in the lower frequencies) I can see why they opted to give you custom ear molds. I don’t think reverting back to the domes would be better for you. Usually people try the domes first and if they don’t work then custom molds are the next step that’s supposed to be better in almost every way to the domes. Reverting back to the domes would be a downgrade for you and probably will start creating a lot of issues.

Custom ear molds are supposed to give you a snug enough fit, not only so they don’t fall out, but mainly to make sure there’s no sound leakage that can cause feedbacks or volume loss. I’m guessing maybe the shape of your ear canals some how is prone to make your custom molds fall out more easily. Either that or they just didn’t do a good job with your molds in the first place.

I remember when I used to get fitted with at Costco, the HAs come back from the labs and didn’t quite fit my ear canals perfectly. The Costco lady had to shave off in some area and pad up in other areas to improve the fit. I think they have some kind of clear liquid compound that they can apply on the molds to add layers to thicken them up a little bit at a time. I don’t know if Costco would do it on HAs that they don’t sell or not. But it’s worth asking to see if they might. Maybe they can apply one thin layer all around at a time until it feels snug enough for you.

In reply to @1Bluejay

Suggestion… In great detail you describe your problems and let the Doc provide the resolution.

@1Bluejay said:

Yes, I need to get back in to my aud-guy with my MESS, dammit. I don’t have to fold a dome to insert it, but I still find I’d like something more comfortable than the current Widex power domes.

I think I may have opted to NOT run feedback management as I used to have a program dedicated to music, and didn’t want any degradation in that … but it would’ve been weeks ago, if at all. I have since removed that program entirely. Geez, I didn’t know one could/should be able to put the aid inside the ear cup with no feedback. I don’t get feedback with my hands placed over my ears, so that part works ok.

I just spent some time at the Comply website, looking at the array of foam domes they have! I was interested in those under: “Hear More” (Isolation) and “Hear Clearly” (P-series). I think the P-series domes are the conical ones you’d mentioned before, Volusiano. It seems that either of these choices should have dense foam with no leakage - perhaps resulting in occlusion, but maybe worth a try. Only prob is that I don’t see either Oticon or Opn listed under the long list of compatible products in the “Hear More” section. They have Phonak, wouldntchaknow?

I’m going to noodle this a bit before I decide on the best course of action. I could buy a set of BOTH styles of dome and bring them with me … It’s a small price to pay for years of comfort & quality sound.

In reply to @Avign0n33

Just to clarify: it looks like your earmolds are a poor fit, then? I don’t know where you live, but I DO know that when I travel to very humid places, my aids also slip around a bit, causing annoying leakage/squeakage. So if humidity is your constant companion, there may not be a solution other than have the molds re-cast!

I am a firm believer that the TIME of day and even the WEATHER (humid, dry) can make a difference in the earmold cast. I’ve had plenty done over 30-odd years, and by trial & error have found that if I go in the afternoon (not too late, tho!), my ear canals are the most “normal”. Even with my latest Agil Pro ITCs, there is still humidity-related leakage (which also happens after a session at the gym!). This is why in my DREAMS ITC and RIC molds would be made of something that holds its shape, but is more flexible than hard plastic.

I also had an aud-guy daub clear nail polish on my ill-fitting aids, which only led to an allergic reaction for me. And I’ve also gone through shaved-down molds, that left an almost onion-skin thin spot on one aid. It just AIN’T a perfect world.

Definitely explore other options. Whether you have a wire or tube connection to the receiver, it’s possible that a foam dome could give you the right seal - hence my own search for one as well. Good luck getting this sorted out - you deserve to get the BEST possible fit, even if it takes multiple impressions to achieve it (yes, I’ve gone that route, too!).

@Avign0n33 said:

Was wondering… I have actual ear molds on my RIC, but, both of them seem to be too small (or too slippery) and the come loose from my ear all the time, especially the left one. From the conversation in this thread, seems a dome would allow me to have a better fit? Is that you guys experience, or, are the molded ear pieces better (when they fit right). Unfortunately, changing the ear molds requires sending them and a ear canal cast to the VA’s lab, where they change out the receiver to place it in the new ear mold.

Thanks!

In reply to @Doc_Jake

Thanks DOC! I’d love your advice on which Comply foam dome would be best for my Oticon Opn miniRITE ! My two choices are: Isolation3 and Hear Clearly1. I could get (M) and (L) in the one you think would work best and take that to my aud-guy!

Would these foam domes require another audio set-up to ensure optimal listening? Given that my aud-guy has NO TV streaming demo in his office, I could try them out at home and go from there. You can see my shows I’m in the serious-to-profound category, so perhaps I’m pushing the envelope with my Opns? Much obliged if you have some suggestions here.

@Doc_Jake said:

Suggestion… In great detail you describe your problems and let the Doc provide the resolution.

@1Bluejay said:

Given that my aud-guy has NO TV streaming demo in his office, I could try them out at home and go from there.

I don’t see why you can’t simply take your own TV streamer to your audi office so you can try it out right there and then. Don’t need to wait until you go home and try it out. That’s what I did when I went saw my audi for fittings.

I don’t know how you have it hooked up, but I have a special cable (I think it also comes with the TV streamer) that connects to the TV streamer via RCA connectors, and on the other end is the mini plug stereo connector that I just plug into my Samsung Note 4 smart phone. To power my TV streamer I have a USB battery source so I just plug my TV streamer to this battery for portability, but you can use your power adapter that goes into the wall as well.

Then I can play music or YouTube videos or movies from my smart phone and listen through the TV streamer with it.

Ooops - may have missed this one months ago! But to clarify, my aud-guy STILL (yes, as of 8/28/17) has NO TV in his exam room at all. So even if I bring in my TV streamer box, there is nothing to plug it into there. I have teased him about this, nagged him about this, and still - there is NO TV in his exam room. It seems a real missed opp’y to show folks HOW the unit works with TV!

Sidebar: my Oticon Opn miniRITE aids work SUPERBLY with the TV streaming unit - LOVE IT. Now if only there was an Android-compatible streamer for use with my Samsung cell phone.

1Bluejay, you don’t need a TV at your audi’s office to plug into your TV Streamer. Just plug your smart phone into your TV streamer and play something from your smart phone, like a Youtube clip or a video clip or music clip.

AH - got it! You are a wizard at electronics here. Much obliged for the advice.

And now the bigger news: my aud-guy will set me up to try the Phonak Audeo-B Direct next month. Yeah, I’ve given Oticon Opn MORE than enough time to come out with the dang phone streamer. Now I’m ready to pull the plug on these aids NINE months later and start all over.

Augh. Or maybe: HOORAY! :slight_smile:

NINE MONTHS! I could’ve delivered a baby clip-on streamer myself by now … had that been biologically possible.

Yes, I have to say for the 100th time, my aud-guy goes the extra 10 miles for me. But I’m hoping HE can return these Opns with no hassle, too. We shall see!

I’ve had the Oticon Opn miniRITE aids for NINE months! I just posted in my earlier thread (comparing Phonak Audeo B-Direct to Resound 3rd Gen) the GOOD NEWS: these Phonak aids appear to be the first pair of aids I’ve been fit with to deliver a “WOW!” factor! The sound quality, power, and comfort is actually superior to my Oticons.

Granted, these Phonaks are newly-released, but for me and my hearing loss, the Opns were simply not the optimal model. My aud-guy assured me today that he will take them back on a trade for the Phonaks I’m on trial with. After just a few hours of wearing them, I can tell you: they WIN hands-down, despite the reality-defying ONE EAR phone streaming.

Yes, the Phonak Audeo B-Directs stream direct to a single EAR, but it appears that the sound quality is such that I could probably adapt to that? It seems totally counter-intuitive that a HEARING device would deliver a CRITICAL solution like phone streaming to a SINGLE ear! But there you are, that is the state of things.

What if folks were fit with prescription glasses that had a window pane on one side and the corrective lens in the other. Is that OPTIMAL? After all, they can go around with one eye closed and hope to see as best they can. OR, maybe someone would fit them with both lenses to their prescription needs.

Custom molds are more comfortable in my opinion and protect your ear from the reciever in a way that the soft domes can’t. They will cost a bit more, but worth it.

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