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Best Costco options instead of KS10

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In reply to @tribalrose

@tribalrose said:

no other aids available through Costco that work with an inexpensive Android

Ok so actually there is some from Costco that will do this, but yes, you do need a decent android phone with at least android 10.

@tribalrose said:

You know, for those of us who couldn’t pay private audi prices for aids even if we wanted to.

Yes i fully understand this, definitely I can say Costco is the place to shop for , I can’t understand why people want to pay for a bundled service, when you can save 4 to 6k at Costco, but everyone is different and will have their respective reasons.

You made a good choice on the KS9 or 10 you have, unfortunately I can’t use Phonak (or Oticon for that matter) as I don’t like the results I get when using them, no matter how many/much adjustments I make.

I’d say the main hassle of an intermediary device for handsfree communication is that the battery runtime is not as long as that of your ’s. If I recall correctly, efigalaxie used to work in a steel mill, a very noisy environment, and he needed remote communication on long shifts to do his job. IIRC, he had several intermediary devices so when the battery ran down on one, he could just switch to another (although I may be confusing his situation with that of focusandearnit in an operating room!).

The other thing that can be annoying in using an intermediary device is the possible latency. I’ve tried watching YouTube videos on my computer via streaming through a Phone Clip+ to my ReSound Quattros and the latency was quite bothersome.

Latency is cited as a bugaboo of classic Bluetooth so whenever finally comes along, besides better sound reproduction than the classic SBC codec, LE Audio will have much lower latency. Still Waiting for Godot, though…

In reply to @tenkan

Also for @tribalrose:

Yes, almost all relatively newer aids now technically are compatible with Androids. But just because they are listed as compatible doesn’t mean they actually work well. A year ago, I spent a long time trialing multiple with Android, and with the exception of Phonak (due to the “classic ” pairing), BT via was rip-out-your-hair infuriating. Constant spotty connection and disconnects that required restarting HAs multiple times throughout the day. I ended up grudgingly switching to an iPhone solely for better HA connectivity for the heavy streaming I do.

I do think Android 12/13 may have improved some of these issues from a year ago, not sure. But from my experiences, ASHA is well behind and classic BT in connection reliability, regardless of the list of devices they say “work.”

In reply to @jim_lewis

@jim_lewis said:

main hassle of an intermediary device for handsfree communication is that the battery runtime is not as long as that of your HA’s

True but it whouldn’t be a problem for most people, I mean you can only talk so much on the phone, and streaming music for so long? I started out with Phonak compilot, and have used ReSound phone clip(through 3 different platforms) Widex com-dex both which worked great,but the best I’ve used is ReSound’s multi mic, which I use on my One’s, I can say I’ve never really had latency issues with any of them, true some YouTube videos have terrible sound quality which I believe causes the latency issues, Netflix,Hulu, AMC have been perfect (using both multi mic, and TV streamer)

@jcw11 said:

But just because they are listed as compatible doesn’t mean they actually work well

Again true for some, I’ve read the horror storys on here, but however both my AX and One’s work flawlessly with my Samsung running Android 12, so for me streaming is as good as I could ask.
I can’t comment whether it’s “better” then as I don’t use apple products, but I’d think your right simply because Apple has been doing this for many years, so has it worked out, still there’s plenty of people right now complaining about the latest versions from Apple not working nicely with their HAs so I guess there’s always room for improvement, as @jim_lewis has said, we all can’t wait for , one standard, so one size fits all HAs, it can’t come soon enough!

In reply to @whatdidtheysay

Sorry but my idea of full hands free is your phone stays in your pocket. I had the Philips 9030s which I used on an iPhone 12. First off my fitter could not get the ring to work in the . We even called Philips about the problem. Secondly, while the caller is heard through the HAs you still need to speak through your phone or a secondary Mike. Third, call pickup didn’t work ether. So if my phone was sitting on a table 50’ away I still had to get up to answer it (assuming I even heard it ring) and then use it basically hold it to my head as a normal phone. This to me is not “hands free”!

FYI, there was a somewhat recent firmware update that makes Philips fully hand-free by your definition (for iPhone only) now. Bummer you had some issues with the feature.

I worry that manufacturers may chase after goals like “hands free! ain’t it awful to have to hold your phone in your hand! we have the answer!” rather than working on improving sound quality.

“Hands free” is the answer to a non existent problem, at least for the vast majority of HA and phone users.

Maybe I’m misunderstanding, and by “hands free”, ;people simply mean streaming phone calls through a HA. Which my aids do very well.

@jeffrey said:

“Hands free” is the answer to a non existent problem, at least for the vast majority of HA and phone users.

Perhaps you’re projecting your own likes and dislikes onto those of others. Before I ever wore ’s, I used to call my aged parents once a week and chat with them for about one to two hours. During that time period, I’d get rather tired of holding a handset or cell phone up to my head. I’d use a wired headset with microphone, or a Plantronics Bluetooth combo mic and earbud insert for a handsfree experience (and much better sound quality going both ways!). Similarly, if I’m making any appointment over the phone, I value a handsfree experience so I can either write with a pen or type on my computer and also so I can move around at some distance from my phone without having to carry it around. For the same reason I wear an Apple GPS+cellular watch, so I don’t have to lug my large iPhone 14 Pro Max around but can still take a phone call anywhere (although that’s certainly not a “handsfree” experience with the watch tied to my wrist! :slightly_smiling_face:)

There seem to be a number of conspiracy theories that have circulated on the forum from time to time. The fact that users really don’t want rechargeable hearing aids but they’re being foisted upon us so that OEMs can pad their profit margins is something that’s been broached in the past, for example.

You make good points, Jim. I find that using speakerphone allows me to be hands free when on a call. My smart phone weighs a few ounces, so holding it isn’t a burden.

I’m not suggesting a conspiracy, but only repeating the talking points of many companies who’ve been introducing more and more streaming options and highlighting these features. Again, to speak more carefully, I’m far more interested in features that improve sound quality than connectivity. But I’[m likely in the minority!

In reply to @jeffrey

Frankly I care less if my are capable of hands free calling or not. The point is manufactures and HA fitters are advertising that their HAs are hands free when their really not. But the unknowing don’t realize their being scammed.

As for the manufacture worrying more about adding so,e thing like hands free instead of worrying about important things to actually improve their HAs……I can buy a $15 ear pod that has full real hands free phone call capability. So it’s not so,e mystery the HA manufactures are spending time or funds on inventing.

While full hands free phone usage may not be important to you and I it is very important to others. So sorry it is an important and inexpensive feature that is being over looked and/or ignored by far to many HA manufacures.

Nothing is impossible for the person who doesn’t have to do it.

WH

In reply to @bob.sevcik

Pretty sure mfg’s don’t invent, create or produce hands free technologies. They simply offer access to that technology. Contact any HA mfg with streaming issues and they will immediately point you to Android or Apple

The issue is with the companies. A cheap wireless Bluetooth earbud can do hands-free all day long without dropping. Many of them got locked into this technology and forgot that 70%+ of the world uses Android. There is a reason Phonak has a significant portion of the market cornered.

If they create a $3000+ device that can’t provide connectivity to 70% of mobile devices like every other cheap device these days, then that’s on the HA company.

Paying extra for, and using a SoundClip or dongle or however they want to spin it is not a valid solution in 2022. I gave it a pass in 2012, but come on.

OP here returning to original question and discussion.

Phonak products of any flavor (including KS10s) are no longer an option at Costco. It seems that Sonova has different objectives in mind for their future as they have totally discontinued with Costco as a distribution channel.

I pulled the trigger last week on the Jabra Enhanced Pro, plus a new TV Streamer. I am scheduled to pick them up and have my initial fitting on Weds.

I plan to start with regular MP receivers, not M& initially. Seems like M&RIE receivers would be a significant differentiator for Jabra, but comments from others here and elsewhere looks like some like them and others don’t … i.e. YMMV from person to person. I’ll start with regular receivers to try and get an apples-to-apples comparison of performance vs. my current KS9s, and perhaps move up to M&RIE in the future.

I coincidentally also got a new Android phone (Galaxy S22) this month. So I should also be able to evaluate further the current operation and integration of Jabra with Android platform. I’ll have the standard Costco 180 day trial, so I’m willing to jump in further now to see how well Jabra can work for me.

I’ll plan to start a new forum thread over next couple of weeks about my experience. Any hints/tips for Jabra setup and operation will be appreciated - thanks!

@pckretz said:

I’ll plan to start a new forum thread over next couple of weeks about my experience. Any hints/tips for Jabra setup and operation will be appreciated - thanks!

Sounds good, as we need more reviews on this model, are you doing a project?

No . I have a hearing specialist at Costco whom I trust to take this on.

My question about hints/Tips for setup and operation was from perspective of normal user … i.e. for experiences with and Android use, etc. Thanks.

Edited

Don’t know if you’re within a return period for your phone or not, but my take is that most people who use Resound/Jabra hearing aids are happier with iPhones. Likely depends on how tech savvy you are. If you’re experience with phone and hearing aids has been smooth sailing, likely not an issue. If it’s been bumpy, I’d seriously consider an iPhone. (I have no skin in this–I actually use a Samsung too)

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