Costco Kirkland Signature 9.0 (Product Information)

How do you adjust for the background noise and noise while using the internet?Mine doesn’t have any adjustments.

Assuming you are referring to a bluetooth connection (probably from phone), volume up will increase the phone noise and decrease environment. Volume down will decrease bluetooth and increase environment. The app also has a slider to control this.

PS: These should be defaults, but I also had “mute” added as an option with a long press of volume down on my aid. It mutes the environment completely regardless of whether I’m connected to bluetooth or not. If I’m connected to bluetooth it still allows that sound while muting the environment. If I’m not connected it blocks all sounds.

One strategy you may wish to consider is getting the KS9s and using your Trax 42s as back-ups. That would eliminate the possibility of being without aids when you have an inevitable problem. After my most recent hearing test, I had the audiologist program my Trax 42s to reflect the test. I keep them available for those ‘just in case’ situations. For example, I take along my back-up aids when I travel for more than a few days.

The battery life isn’t going to be as long on the KS9s as you have experienced with the Traxs, in my case going from 7 days to 5. But Kirkland batteries are inexpensive–one of their better bargains.

And, I think you’ll find the improved sound quality will be worth it, along with a good streaming experience without the need for the Smart Connect device.

I was waiting for what was to be the Brio 4 that never came, and hopefully will show up within the next 6 months… the Marvel labeled as Brio 4 with rechargeable batteries and T-coil, but who knows at this point? I’m still between the KS9 and the Phillips and need one more go-around with the Phillips but I’m leaning towards the KS9 and a six-month return window to see what will pop up. My understanding from my Costco HA fitter is that they were told to pull the Brios in July when they were expecting the Brio 4 to arrive but it never did. I was told they won’t see them until 2020 sometime, I’m hoping early part of the year. I’m sure it’s to protect the private practices.

At this point all we can do is guess. My best guess is that early next year that Costco will start selling Phonak Brio 4 hearing aids. These will be similar to the KS9, but come in a rechargeable version. I’m guessing they would sell for about $2500 a pair.

That was my understanding. The KS9’s were already out, the Philips had just come out and I had a tech person say, “why not wait a few more weeks for the new Phonaks to come out and you can compare the new ones to the Philips?” At that time, the KS9 was not even on my radar, we had assumed the new one that we thought would be Brio 4 was imminently arriving. Then the Phonak rep informed Costco that they’re delayed into 2020, hopefully early 2020. So now it’s Philips vs. KS9 and right now I think I’m going to try the KS9 but want to demo the Philips once more.

I lucked out in that when I called Costco for an appointment, they’d just had a cancellation and offered me the slot. So I’m just back from there after ordering the KS9s (appointment to get them on the 24th). The 10-minute walkaround in the store wasn’t really enough for me to say oh, they’ll make everything better. I couldn’t even find a guy with the kind of low, grumbly voice I have most trouble with handing out samples and available for a little chat. The real life trial would be the decider anyway.

I’m not ordering any accessories right now. I have custom molds and the tv streamer for the Rexton Trax 42s I currently have. They’re 4 years old and haven’t been a problem. I did think the Smart Connect may be on its way out because of problems connecting to the tv streamer, but the audi said it’s the Trax that have the problem and would need to be sent for repair. Since they’re out of warranty and not having problems in other ways, I’m not willing to do that.

Maybe I’m looking into something new just in time. Here I thought I was just being wildly self-indulgent because I want to be rid of the neck medallion and of course new and shiny syndrome.

If I really don’t like the KS9s, I’m not sure what I’ll do. Face that problem when it arises I guess. The Philips Hearlink aids sounded interesting when they were first talked about here, but I don’t want an iPhone any more than I want a Google Pixel.

I asked the audi if they were selling a lot of the KS9s, and she said yes, they’re flying out of the store. Also asked if many were unhappy with them or reported problems with phone calls. She said people seem to like this way of handling phone calls and then mentioned some feature I think for using the phone as speaker but not sure, maybe a headset? Anyway, she knew about it for iPhone and was going check about it for Android? Anyone else heard about such a thing?

K9s in Canada are locked to Costco they say. The soft wear used recognizes the HA style and allows only programming K9 features to the HAs.

@ThomF said:

I took one of my aids out and used it as a mic in front of my mouth. This seems to improve things. I only plan on doing this when in a challenging noise environment (and when my hands are free). I would be interested in what others are finding with the hands-free phone feature.

Rather than take your aid out just put your phone on speaker. This cancels the Bluetooth and you can speak via the phone.

I would take what Costco say with a grain of salt! They have a vested interest in saying this, I was repeatedly told the KS7 were locked to Costco, until we hear otherwise from a trusted member who has tried to program them.

@AllanH said:

put your phone on speaker. This cancels the Bluetooth and you can speak via the phone.

AllanH,

Thanks! I’ll try that–could be a nice workaround, when needed.

@ThomF said:

This issue has been driving me nuts. When my wife is watching the TV, I’m automatically streaming the sound–even when I’m not in the room. In fact, when I’m moving about, the aids attach and detach from the device periodically, depending upon distance/reception. Can you offer any insights?

I had the same problem - when I was watching TV alone, my wife was automatically connecting. She could press the button to change programs but that was putting the burden on the person who didn’t “cause” the problem. I re-programmed her aids to connect manually. Now she has to push a button to connect when we’re both watching TV, but that’s a better solution.

How did you reprogram them? Are you able to program your KS9s at home?

I see now that my response made it sound like I have KS9s. I’m probably telling you things you already know, but I’ll explain anyway in case it’s of use to someone else. My wife’s aids are Unitron MoxiAlls, sister version of Phonak Audeo Direct. Mine are Marvels, same TV connector, same TV connector options. Hers are set to manual connection, mine to automatic. Both programmed at home using a Noahlink Wireless. It remains to be seen if the KS9 can be DIY, my guess is yes. Anyway, Costco should be able to make the same change to KS9s in minutes. Shouldn’t be necessary, but if anyone wants to verify the option has been set to their liking while still at Costco (or the audi), they could home-test a combination of the TV connector and something portable that has a compatible audio output, like a laptop. Then take them along to the dispenser. That method might be especially useful if one were trying to get default levels of different aids tuned to suit.