Over-the-ear headphones with hearing aids

As the quality of my headphones is better than that of my speakers, listening with headphones is the best music experience I have. Never had any feedback or other issues with headphones over my HA’s, all of them RIC types with Signia semi-open domes, Widex tulip domes and Oticon bass domes.

I wear both closed and open headphones with my hearing aids. Both are absolutely fine.

Why would an audiologist tell you they won’t work? Probably because the audiologist doesn’t understand enough about setting up the HAs to work with headphones. My previous audiologist couldn’t do this (I had feedback issues), my current audi fixed this on the first visit to them.

Like flashb1024 says, most audiologists don’t know how to set up HAs for listening to music. To be fair, most HA users want speech recognition, not high quality music reproduction. But if that is what you want, you need to search for a good audiologist and also learn to DIY program your HAs.

i second this. i use the otc jabra enhance select 200 rics and have zero feedback issues using the open-ear sennheiser hd6xx headphones from drop dot com. i do experience feedback using the closed-ear meze 99 neo because they seal so tightly (better for ambient/techno). i just turn down the volume until the squeal disappears. listening to music thru headphones with hearing aids is definitely an improvement over taking them out.

while we’re on the topic of headphones, i enjoy listening to music, various podcasts and audiobooks while walking. since i still wanted to be aware of my surroundings, i needed on-ear headphones. i used the wired koss porta pros for years. they sound great for the price but i was constantly getting tangled up with the wire. one of the best wire-free and feedback-free solutions i’ve found is the bluetooth koss ksc35. it uses earclips and sits on the ear, also sound great for its purpose, and is reasonably priced (and frequently on sale). i also wear glasses so there’s a lot going on behind the ears but it does work, and the clips allow me to wear a ball cap.

Been wearing Etymotic Research earbuds of various releases since ~1999, exclusively when out of the house or listening to MP3s, movies and usually with TV. Got my 1st HAs 10 days ago, Rexton Reach. Going to have my 1st post-fitting meeting with the HIS in 4 days. He told me at our 1st meeting (at the end of which I bought the Reaches) he could program the Reaches to have every bit as good a music program as the Philips 9050’s, whose music program he’d extolled. However, I am disappointed because the music program he came up with (tweaking using REM) has very distinctly muted high frequencies. I have to wonder if he forgot what he was doing. I see posts in this thread declaring that a lot HA adjusters don’t know how to program for music. What mine came up with seems to me to be obviously awful.

I haven’t experimented in any way yet with how I can still use my ER earbuds now, other than ordering USB-C → headphone adapters for my new Pixel 8 (which I bought to support my HAs). I have briefly tried using my Sony MDR-7506 over-the-ear headphones over the HAs and wasn’t disappointed. But ATM I’m utilizing the Automatic program 100% of the time. It has added the highs missing from my ears (see my audiogram!) and I’m relishing it. But sometimes I have to wonder if the highs aren’t too bolstered in that Automatic program (the other 3 are Music, Noise/Party and TV), but figure maybe give my “brain” time to adjust. Also, I’m contemplating asking the HIS to create a 5th program for me, basically the Automatic with the highs rolled off a bit. A few db, at least to try out on a temporary basis.

What is the difference/advantage between using the hearing aids’ music program (with streaming) or headphones over the hearing aids?

Well for me I only have and want my default general program on my aids. I have been wearing aids for 20 years and my first 3 sets of aids only had the general program and not even a volume control. I got use to that simplicity and push my VA audiologist to adjust my aids so that is all I still need. I put my aids on in the morning and forget about them until I remove them as I prepare for bed. I use my over the ear headphones when I wish for total peace and quiet or if I am listening to musice and sometimes for listening to audiobooks. It is my preference, I can also stream music and audiobooks straight to my aids from my Samsung S23 phone but i prefer to use my Samsung tablet or Fire tablet for audiobooks and music. I can also use the connect clip or EduMic for streaming to my aids. It gives me choicest.

@Ed14 said:

I’ve been streaming music from Qobuz with a Widex Smart RIC and Oticon Intent1. In both cases the sound of my headphone over the hearing aids is far much better.

ED, do you have a preference for the Widex or Intent?
I don’t use the Intent MyMusic program, as it follows the Harman target, which is not my thing.
I’ve got a custom program for music, which works well for me.
Which cans do you use? I’m really happy with the Sennheiser HD 6XX.

@Muse said:

However, I am disappointed because the music program he came up with (tweaking using REM) has very distinctly muted high frequencies

You should take some music with you on your next visit, and see if he can tune the highs to your preference. Also inform him of your preference for the overall sound of the Automatic program, and have him copy it as a separate program with all the speech compresssion, and feedback mgt. turned off for your music.
I do DIY on my Oticons, so I can adjust to my heart’s content at home listening to my own stuff.

@Muse said:

I haven’t experimented in any way yet with how I can still use my ER earbuds now, other than ordering USB-C → headphone adapters for my new Pixel 8

I use a FiiO BTR5 Amp/DAC with my Pixel 6a, and Etys. Sounds great!!
I’ve head good things about the apple dongle, which would have enough juice for most ETYs.

It’s hard to say.
I’ve had the Widex on trial and since last Tuesday I’m trying out the Intent1.
So I can’t compare them directly.
One thing I’m sure of, music listening with the general Intent program sounds very disappointing, the music program is the easy winner for me.
At the same time I’m wondering how good MyMusic really is. It’s a different sound, compared to my current Signia Pure 7px from 2017. I have to get used to it. I’m listening to lot to Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk to compare. Some tracks sound better, others worse. When I return to the Signia’s it feels like I’m home again.

The music sound of the Widex is easier to assess. It has the same character as the Signia. The sound is a little better. I doubt if it’s worth the money, because I’m already enjoying my cans so much with the Signia. My cans are Meze Elite. They’re pretty expensive, but worth the price.

When I think about your question again, I would say the Widex is the safer choice for me.

@Ed14 said:

At the same time I’m wondering how good MyMusic really is. It’s a different sound, compared to my current Signia Pure 7px from 2017.

You don’t like the MyMusic, because, like I said it’s tuned to the Harman Target, which amps the bass & treble, but kills the mids, and upper mids, so it sounds dull and lifeless.
Oticon had a great legacy Music program b4 the More series, but in their infinite wisdom, ditched it.
You won’t get used to it, and you can only tune it so much to where it’s not worth the effort.
They even hyped it with a big white paper claiming 70% of listeners liked it, but didn’t specify any real details.
That’s why you require a custom Music program on the Intent.

I prefer Then Play On & Future Games when it comes to Mac! LOL

Me too, but there is no doubting Lindsay Buckingham’s creative talents and he certainly peaked with Tusk

… carry on!

There are also some other obstacles to overcome before the Intents become a serious contender.
Like the annoying white noise and the occlusion effects, caused by the double vented bass domes.

@Ed14 said:

Like the annoying white noise and the occlusion effects, caused by the double vented bass domes.

looks like you’re a candidate for custom moulds with a 1.44mm vent. Maybe you could drop the gain a bit at the frequencies the white noise is occuring at that way, as well as enhance the overall sound. With proper venting occlusion won’t be a factor either.