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Some questions about Phonak Sphere

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Hello, my current hearing aids are over 6 years old. I had planned to get new ones in July but ended up holding off after hearing about Phonak’s new Audeo line on this forum and then I contracted Covid which affected my hearing for several months. My July vs. October hearing tests also show some sight changes for the worse, likely due to the infection.

I went to a new Audiologist recently and had very comprehensive hearing test compared to past exams. It was suggested that I try the Audeo Sphere Infinio rather than the plain Infinio which is what I had planned on thinking the Sphere might be overkill for my lifestyle. I was told that if I wanted the regular Infinio I could save money by getting the Lumity as there’s not much difference between the two, although in my way of thinking the updated Bluetooth would be worth the upgrade from Lumity. Anyway, I decided to try the Sphere’s and I’m actually excited to try them out.

One of the things the audiologist said was that I should get ear molds rather than domes for my high frequency hearing loss, and also mentioned that the domes in my 6 year old hearing aids are entirely too small. I also have tinnitus if that makes any difference.

This forum has been an education and I’m still trying to learn. I have a few questions about the Sphere’s and how they work.

I understand that the mold closes up the ear more, what type of mold would I be looking at for my hearing loss? If I don’t like the ear mold can that be taken off and go back to a dome? Are there any pluses or minuses to different types of domes or the materials they are made of that would be recommended for these hearing aids?

How does the bluetooth work when connected to my phone? For instance if I’m listening to a podcast or audiobook on my iPad and a phone call comes in. If I answer the call does it pause the audiobook and reconnect where it left off when the phone call ends? I’m not entirely understanding the ability of the Phonaks to be connected to multiple devices compared to other hearing aids that can only be connected to one device at a time and how that works.

Are there “canned” programs that come with the Sphere? My current hearing aids have “normal”, “outdoors”, “auditorium” and “crowd” programs that I activate by pressing the top of my hearing aid. These are not bluetooth hearing aids. If there are canned programs, how many can you have, what are they or are there various ones you can choose from? Can the audiologist add additional programs on top of any standard ones that come with the software? I’ve been reading about asking the audiologist to set up a separate “Spheric” in Noise" program, for instance, if I want to turn it on or off manually.

When I mentioned the TV connector or Roger device my audiologist said a cheaper solution would be to buy the microphone that could be set near the TV. Opinions on this? I would like to be able to watch movies on TV with my husband. Currently I really can’t understand much of the conversation in TV programs and have to keep closed captions on to get anything out of it.

Should I get any kind of UV drier for the hearing aids, especially if going with ear molds since I live in a hot and humid climate?

If anyone thinks there’s another brand/model of hearing aid that might be worth trialing, I’d be interested in that as well.

Lots of questions…any and all advice appreciated. I’m getting the trial Sphere hearing aids later this week!

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@PCamp said:

When I mentioned the TV connector or Roger device my audiologist said a cheaper solution would be to buy the microphone that could be set near the TV.

The microphone has a battery that will wear out with time. Also, the microphone may pick up sound reverberations in the room. The thing about a TV streamer is that you get pure TV sound with no reverberations. No battery to wear out. And you can also watch TV and not have the TV audio or attached speakers on, potentially disturbing other folks in your house engaged in other activities, not wanting to hear the TV sound. So, yes, if the audi bill is going to be a budget buster, going with a mic, for now, might be easier on your pocketbook, but folks who’ve gotten a TV streamer for any brand usually prefer that over a mic.

Edited

I see nobody has responded so here are some comments to start you off

@PCamp said:

I understand that the mold closes up the ear more, what type of mold would I be looking at for my hearing loss? If I don’t like the ear mold can that be taken off and go back to a dome? Are there any pluses or minuses to different types of domes or the materials they are made of that would be recommended for these RIC hearing aids?

I would suggest cShells or slimtips from Phonak. Phonak will make them based on your . I use acrylic cShells and find them comfortable and functional. I have also used Titanium slimtips. I would recommend either one.

@PCamp said:

If I don’t like the ear mold can that be taken off and go back to a dome?

Yes. cShells have the receiver imbedded in the mold so new or different receivers would require a new receiver and mold. In the case of slimtips, receivers can be replaced without damaging the mold. You can always go back to a dome but as mentioned above that would require new receivers which cost somewhere over $100 each if you have cShells.

@PCamp said:

If I answer the call does it pause the audiobook and reconnect where it left off when the phone call ends?

In my case, the podcast or YouTube video keeps playing but silenced since the telephone takes priority. You can pause the streaming program manually.

@PCamp said:

I’m not entirely understanding the ability of the Phonaks to be connected to multiple devices compared to other hearing aids that can only be connected to one device at a time and how that works.

The hearing aids can be paired with up to 8 devices at one time but only two can be active at one time. For example, I can activate my phone and iPad at the same time so while watching a YouTube video, I can answer my phone without taking the extra step of activating Bluetooth for my phone.

@PCamp said:

Are there “canned” programs that come with the Sphere

There are up to six programs which are already included in the aids. Your audiologist can make adjustments to them or add additional programs if you wish. You can also make your own temporary programs in the app. Not sure why you would want to turn off the speric program, but any of the other programs without speric can be sellected in the app. Your audiologist can also add a separate program with just the speric function that can be selected any time you wish

.[quote=“PCamp, post:1, topic:94392”]
When I mentioned the TV connector or Roger device my audiologist said a cheaper solution would be to buy the microphone that could be set near the TV.

[/quote]
Cheaper, yes but a poor option in my opinion. The TV connector or a Roger would let you adjust your sound independently of the TV speakers. TV connectors and Roger On iNs can be obtained at reasonable prices on Ebay.

Hope this helps

I agree with @raylock1 in that slimtips or c.shells, and they could be vented too with your loss. I have no occlusion with vented slimtips. I also find them very comfortable.

In reply to @raylock1

Thank you for all the information, this really helps. I have another (probably stupid) question. Currently when driving in my vehicle my phone is connected to bluetooth so I can listen to podcasts through the van’s audio system and I use Google maps not connected so map directions come through the phone itself. If I get a phone call it comes in through my van’s audio system for hands free driving. This would continue to be my preference, so would I go into my phone and disconnect the hearing aids from bluetooth while in my vehicle, then reconnect when I get out? Would this cause any problems?

I have small ears and I’m somewhat concerned the Sphere’s will be too big for me and almost overkill in technology even though my background in noise hearing is bad since I’m not in loud environments very often. I may try the regular Infinio, or is there something else that might work as well? Nexia, Intent? I’m open to suggestions and will also discuss my concerns with my audiologist. I am an android user (forever) and currently have a Samsung S23, which is one of the reasons I was leaning towards Phonak in the first place as I heard it plays the best with Android over other hearing aids.

Do other brands of hearing aids allow two devices to be active at the same time or is that unique to Phonak? This is something that I’m very interested in.

Do you think my high frequency loss merits going to a mold over the ?

Thanks again!

@PCamp said:

would I go into my phone and disconnect the hearing aids from bluetooth while in my vehicle, then reconnect when I get out? Would this cause any problems?

This would be the best approach. Direct streaming to your hearing aids while driving could be dangerous.

@PCamp said:

I have small ears and I’m somewhat concerned the Sphere’s will be too big for me

This is also my concern.

@PCamp said:

I may try the regular Infinio, or is there something else that might work as well? Nexia, Intent?

You can try the following hearing aids (/ compatible and will work great with your Samsung S23):

  1. Phonak Infinio - released Aug 2024. Also has Bluetooth Classic. LE Audio/Auracast will be enabled in a firmware update.
  2. Oticon Intent (or Philips 9050 at Costco) - released Feb 2024. Also has .
  3. Signia Pure C&G (or Rexton Reach at Costco) - released Oct 2023. Also has Telecoil.
  4. ReSound Nexia (or Jabra EP20 at Costco) - released Oct 2023. Also has Telecoil in the removable battery version.
@PCamp said:

Do other brands of hearing aids allow two devices to be active at the same time or is that unique to Phonak? This is something that I’m very interested in.

All the mentioned above can connect to 2 devices at the same time.
Phonak’s advantage is Blutooth Classic, best compatibility, up to 8 registered devices.

@PCamp said:

Do you think my high frequency loss merits going to a mold over the closed domes?

Earmolds are always better. They are more durable and comfortable and sound better in your ear.
Get the titanium ones if available.

In reply to @PCamp

@PCamp said:

I have small ears and I’m somewhat concerned the Sphere’s will be too big for me and almost overkill in technology even though my background in noise hearing is bad since I’m not in loud environments very often.

I would try the Sphere’s since there is only a small price difference between them and the Infinio R. A lot is made of the size but I really don’t notice that much when wearing them. If you get molds from Phonak, they will use your to give you the correct venting. The technology is definitely not overkill if you have trouble hearing in loud noise.

Edited

I trialed Starkey Genesis Edge aids.
I had the aids connected to my phone.
Whenever I got in the car the phone would connect to the car.
When I got out of the car the phone reconnected to the aids.
That is the way I like it also.
My phone is a Google Pixel 6a.
I did buy the Starkeys.

The hearing aids operate normal.
I hear everything through them except the phone.
The phone is connected to the car so I hear calls from the car speakers.
I hear music from the car speakers.
When I turn the car off the aids reconnect to the phone.
Remember I’m taking about Starkey aids.
I would think the Spheres should do the same thing.
Maybe phone dependent?

So, the hearing aids don’t connect to the car directly.
It’s the phone that routes the sound through the car speakers.
That makes sense, and it is the way it should work.

In reply to @freezerman404

How did you set that up? I also have a Google Pixel 6a, but I end up hearing the phone in my hearing aids rather than the car mic, and I’d love to have it automatically go to the car instead when I’m driving.

In reply to @pmc1978

This is exactly how it worked! I wore my new hearing aids out of the audiologist’s office and everything worked the way it always has, phone calls routed to the vehicle’s bluetooth which is the safest. I don’t have my hearing aids paired to the vehicle at all. Thanks for the advice!

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