My audiologist added the ‘MyMusic: program and I’m definitely in the realms of audio nirvana now.
She set up another program with the settings you recommended too, but that also compromises the audio… not as much as the ‘general’ setting but enough to notice.
The ‘MyMusic’ setting lets me hear EVERYTHING.
I can’t thank you enough for your help with this and last time. I genuinely wish I could buy you a few beers…
First time with Oticon aids of this type. I have a fairly old set of Oticon Zest behind-the-ear that I’ve been using again recently as ‘stand-ins.’ I got into the shower with my Phonaks in and they stopped working. Sent them for repair and they got lost in the post. So my insurance company is paying for the Zeals. So I’ve been using my Zests whilst I waited for the Zeals.
I’m trialling the Zeals for a month.
It’s only been a couple of days with them but I’m kind of liking them already.
It’s nice being able to pipe my music through them directly. Nowhere near as good as regular headphones but okay for casual listening. If I’m out and about and don’t have my headphones with me, it’s a good option if I suddenly get the urge to listen to something.
I wonder if anyone will ever create an aid that streams audio as well as headphones with some low end? Doesn’t seem beyond the realms of possibility.
So I have to spend the next few weeks with the Zeals and see how I get on.
In your experience, what’s likely to be the ‘difference’ between the two brands.
The Phonakians can give more details on Phonak’s methodology, but I’m an Oticonian
Phonak uses what we discussed earrlier a way of determining sound, and noise using their Autosense tech, which physically changes the program you are in based on what they “Think” is correct. They also somewhat limit the amount of ambient sound to try to focus on what they think you are hearing, based on their .
Oticon, on the other hand doesn’t physically change the program, but instead uses a Deep Neural Network (), and AI to adjust the overall sound, but still allows you to hear the ambient noise like surround sound, but lowered. In general terms this method produces a more natural sound to most users while still providing the speech boost required. So, you don’t notice any program changes when in the General program, and a lot of users are very happy to just use it. Additional manual programs like MyMusic, Speech in noise, Calm. and lecture can be added, if desired so the user controls what they hear.
From my three days with the Oticons, I would concur fully with what you’ve said when comparing to my previous Phonak aids.
One thing… on my Phonaks I actually liked having the Music setting on all the time and only switched to the automatic setting when needed. I’m feeling the same about the Oticons.