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Hi-Pro USB vs. Noahlink Wireless for programming

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I lost the left channel on my Hi Pro USB. I swapped cables and hearing aids. Nothing brings back the left channel. The right hearing aid is detected. The left hearing aid is not detected. I now accept the fact that I need a new interface. Should I buy a Noahlink? or should I get another Hi Pro?

Hearing aid: Siemens Pure Binix 7 bx

Thanks

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@elminero said:

Siemens Pure Binix 7 bx

If your Siemens are Signia then -

Signia requires a wired programmer to perform Firmware updates to the hearing aids. Thus, if you want the convenience of programming these wirelessly then you will also need access to a wired programming device for hearing aid Firmware Updates.

Thanks for all your help. I decided on getting another Hi Pro. The unit that failed is a Hi Pro USB. I bought it from a seller on eBay about 5 years ago. Supposedly the unit was brand new. I used it about 12 times. Once I set up my hearing aids perfectly, I haven’t used the Hi Pro in a few years. I was so careful with this device that I stored in an ESD bag between uses. I pulled the Hi Pro out yesterday to program a pair of hearing aids and found the left side will not detect.

Questions about getting a replacement:

  1. Should I spend more to get Hi Pro USB 2 ? or stick with the Hi Pro USB
  2. Is the Mini-HiPro good.
  3. Is there a particular seller that I should look for? Is it safe to order from China AliExpress

Thanks in advance.

@elminero said:

Should I spend more to get Hi Pro USB 2 ? or stick with the Hi Pro USB

I wouldn’t bother, the HiPro 2 is just a little faster, not worth anything extra.

@elminero said:

Is the Mini-HiPro good

The Mini is very good, I use it myself and it’s just as good as the full size model, I like it’s super compact design.

@elminero said:

Is it safe to order from China AliExpress

I brought mine from here without issue, I took a gamble and it paid off.
Shipping was 2weeks and it was well packed.

I would sure take that HiPro apart and look for a loose connection or burnt wire. Something…
It’s paid for, why not.

@Raudrive said:

I would sure take that HiPro apart and look for a loose connection or burnt wire.

I was thinking this as well, I’ve never taken one apart, could be a good project for a rainy day.

The chance of your wired strip that connects your to the HiPro is bad and therefore you can’t get a connection to the HiPro is probably higher than the chance that your HiPro has gone bad in one channel. Have you tried to swap the wiring harness between the left and right HA to see if it’s really the HiPro or the wiring harness that’s causing connectivity issue?

I purchased a mini PRO recently from AliExpress. It arrived in exactly two weeks with great tracking/shipping info. My PC desk is small, so I needed the smaller size and like that it’s powered by a single USB cable - simple!

Edited

In reply to @tenkan

@Raudrive said:

I would sure take that HiPro apart and look for a loose connection or burnt wire.

@tenkan said:

I was thinking this as well, I’ve never taken one apart, could be a good project for a rainy day.

I opened up my HiPro Serial once and it was remarkably sturdy and well made. So checking with a multimeter whether the port is damaged and needs to be replaced is quite doable.

That being said, my HiPro did stop responding in the past. Couldn’t get it to work anymore. However, after a month or so all charge in all elements was definitely dissipated and it ran again. (Actually, my HDD also quit on me without a reason and has been sitting on my shelf for over a month. Might be time to check up on it.)

Edited

Nope. You can do the firmware upgrades with one aid at a time with your faulty HiPro and buy a wireless one.

The Serial HiPro’s are finicky to get working on Windows 10, especially on a machine without a native serial port. They are quite old. Quite a bit older than the USB versions. I just looked on eBay and saw an serial HiPro3 that beautifully illustrates the age with smudges:

image
I got mine from my audiologist that had it stored in his attic: Wouldn’t work with it anymore. As thankful as I am that he got me started, I am still very happy to finally use the Noahlink Wireless with my Marvel aids!

Funny how this HiPro not working got the attention of the bunch.
Seems we are a type of person that is handy, likes to figure things out, fix things.

Volusiano is probably right about a bad strip connection if that is the type connection the Signia aids use. The Oticon aids had this issue pretty regular in the past.

I thought he posted that he swapped the cables and aids, but the same port didn’t work.
Edit: Afterwards he confuses things by changing his topic from channel to hearing aid’s side.

Update: I opened up my faulty Hi Pro USB.

I found:
On the circuit board one of ICs and a surface mount capacitor had a little bit of flux on it. I believe the circuit board had been repaired at the factory. I used alcohol to remove the flux.

I found a little solder splash and removed it.

I looked for cold solder joints. I used a soldering iron to heat up port connections.

I tested interface and found that the left side channel still did not work.

Acceptance Stage of Grief Statement: It’s time to look for another one.

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