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Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio 90's .. another review

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@Bimodal_user said:

However, just out of curiosity, “for science” (wink), I am also interested in whether the sound processing in Spheres has been improved

I can’t see the Sphere, speech in noise chip will be any help in the TV/Home situation. To me, it’s more likely to interpret the TV as unwanted noise. As for the Infinio main processor, it may help.

For what it’s worth, I can hear my wife and TV using the Music programme in any of my , I just prefer the full stereo of the TV Connector.

@PeterH said:

I can’t see the Sphere, speech in noise chip will be any help in the TV/Home situation. To me, it’s more likely to interpret the TV as unwanted noise. As for the Infinio main processor, it may help.

I have though just of improvement of hearing TV by the processing input from mics through main ERA chip, not (DEEPSONIC) compared to e.g. Paradises in the same situation, which has sound processed by its older PRISM main chip.

I don’t always have the opportunity to bring my TV streamer with me.

i think ERA and PRISM are the same chips. only on the ERA they decided more possibilities of work options. So they just added a DEEPsonic chip to the SPHERE model. In the chip industry. they want to save as much as possible, they want to push the same chip for a longer time, so they will prefer to produce the same chip for several generations of hearing aids, but they will permanently lock some possibilities in software, and they will unlock them through future versions of hearing aids.

To stick to the topic. I have a Phonak Audeo Paradise and it works well with the TV-link that was originally made for the Phonak Compilot-1. The REMOTE-mic, which is also made for the Compilot-1, also works well. I see an improvement in the sound only because the sound is processed by the hearing aid and not by TV-link or remote-mic.
If you have an older remote-mic or tv-link or someone gives them very cheaply or gives them away for free, use it.

In reply to @Bimodal_user

I just spoke to my wife for about 20 minutes as she called to update her brother’s condition. I wasn’t wearing hearing aids and just had her on speakerphone. So, yes, I could probably go visit folks, listen to their TV without hearing aids or a streamer, and do fine. But to riff on typical Phonak PR, would I enjoy listening with ease and little effort or with listening comfort? I’d prefer to stream to my , whether using a phone or watching TV. But this question, to stream or not to stream, is probably like, “What are the best hearing aids?” or, “Do you like earmolds as opposed to domes?” There is a lot of user subjectivity and gut preferences thrown into the mix.

Another advantage of TV streaming is that you can filter out ambient sounds, like the or heater running, the neighbor’s dog barking, etc., while watching TV (not so much if you wear an ).

FYI:

Is there a technical difference between sound reverberations and sound reflections in physics?

Yes, there is a technical difference between sound reverberations and sound reflections in physics, though they are related concepts.

Sound Reflections

  • Definition: Sound reflection occurs when sound waves bounce off a surface and return to the listener.
  • Characteristics: This is similar to an echo, where you hear a distinct repeat of the sound after it has bounced off a distant surface.
  • Example: If you shout in a large empty hall, the sound waves reflect off the walls and ceiling, returning to you as an echo.

Sound Reverberations

  • Definition: Reverberation happens when the reflected sound waves reach the listener in a very short period of time after the original sound. The reflections overlap, creating a prolonged sound.
  • Characteristics: Unlike a single echo, reverberation results in a blending of reflections, making the sound persist for a longer duration.
  • Example: When you speak in a small room with hard surfaces, your voice seems to linger as the sound waves bounce around and blend together quickly.

In summary, while reflection refers to the bouncing of sound waves off surfaces, reverberation is the accumulation and blending of these reflected sound waves, leading to a prolonged sound.

In reply to @MDB

@MDB said:

Curious how listening to TV is with the hearing aids alone vs TV Connect. I have a TV Connect of my own and love it for use with my KS9s but am specifically asking how much of an improvement (if any) TV Connect is with Spheres.

I can now answer your question (although this is just my experience, it may be different for others, especially with different speaker and room setups).
Last night I was watching a movie and I was constantly switching back and forth between Spheric and streaming via TV Connector.
The sound quality, especially the spoken voices, is second to none with the TV connector.
Yes, the background noise is reduced in Spheremode, but that doesn’t help that the spoken language doesn’t have the same clarity as with the TV Connector.

Don’t understand. They’ve done so well with the tv streamer. Yet the best of the best hearing aids doesn’t sound as good

Hearing aids for over 20 years. 3 pairs of Phonak. Maybe next set won’t be Phonak

In reply to @Bimodal_user

I appreciate your answer. I have had tv streamers but don’t use them. I get focused on the streamer audio. I forget to listen for talk. Plain don’t hear it. And then I get a talking to….

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