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Phonak Infinio v Infinio Sphere - seeking user experiences

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Due1st. fitting next week. Seeking insights from those who have been through a fitting trial process and settled for either Infinio or Infinio spheres and why you elected for one or the other (if you had a choice) and what the benefits are (or not) compared to previous aids.

Given that I will of necessity need to replace my current P90’s, and will get any of the Infinio range at the same low copayment rate, is there any reason not to elect for the Sphere, given that my next funded replacement will be 31/2 years hence. Due to time pressures, my audiologist has asked me to elect in advance as to which to trial, hence my canvasing of opinions/experiences.

My audiologist warned me that the spheres are 1) Larger and 2) have a shorter battery life, Neither are major issues for me,

My current P90’s with medium and open domes are increasingly useless in any noisy environment, and worse I am having increasing difficulty hearing (though that should really be interpreting) what my partner is saying in the domestic situation. In addition, even with the Phonak TV streamer (1st gen), I am missing much of what is being said.

I

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Go for the Sphere’s. They are truly game changing in noisy places. On days that you are not in noisy places you will get double the battery life of your current hearing aids.

Jordan

I had a pair of Phonak Audeo M90-R hearing aids and replaced them with the Phonak Audéo Sphere™ Infinio I90 Hearing Aids in November 2024. When the Spheric programme kicks in you do notice the difference over my old aids but it is at the expense of battery life. So far as batteries are concerned, I wear my aids for about 14-15 hours a day with average 4-5 hours streaming and have never been below 50% for either aid. It could be because I am not often in very noisy environments and the spheric programme my not kick in as often for some users. (My charger is quite small with a built-in power bank which you could take with you to charge on the go if you were concerned over battery life.) Only issue I have had is the Bluetooth connectivity and drop offs, so it is important to check your mobile to ensure, if you use one, it is fully compatible with no known issues and your audiologist set the aids up for optimal performance. The Spheres are certainly bigger and as a glasses wearer I have had no issue with the size.

In reply to @raylock1

@raylock1 said:

Normally, battery life will be much better!

@nsjmgm When battery life isn’t better, it will be because you are using sphere mode, which isn’t an option with the other model. The larger size is the only negative in my mind. I had the option for regular infinio to replace my p-90s in November, but I’m waiting until May to see if sphere makes it on the contract.

Have they given your old aids a tuneup? They are not likely performing worse unless the receivers have an issue. I assume they gave you a recent test so they know what is going on vis-a-vis hearing aid vs . I’d ask to have them look at them too, so you have capable backup aids.

WH

In reply to @WhiteHat

Thanks for the insights. It is my hearing that is deteriorating, not the P90s whose only issue functionally is the declining battery. They are otherwise the most pampered pair given I self programme, have a drawer full of (of different powers) and domes of various types all of which have been experimented with, and a tremendous audiologist on tap to advise and rescue. Annoyingly a collection that will now be redundant. As I age, it’s not so much that my deteriorates (minimally) but that my interpretive abilities decline. I hear…. but don’t hear!.

In reply to @nsjmgm

I hadn’t asked for anything special on the charger unit so I assume that is standard, I think my guy told me that it would do a couple to three charges, suggest you double check with your audiologist. The only accessory that I have gone for is the TV connector, it’s great to get the sound coming direct into the and I can control the volume independantly to what the rest of the family have. It can isolate you a little if the family insist on talking to you while you are watching TV as you don’t hear them as well. I find them brilliant when the family have gone to bed, I have the TV volume low not to disturb them but have the volume I like on the HA controlled via the app. Just double check the Bluetooth connectivity is compatable with your mobile.

I have the TV connector used with my current P90, and it is indeed a godsend. Mine does not have the volume controls on the device, with the volume adjustment on the aids being rather a big jump between “clicks” with my desired volume being that between two clicks, ie insufficiently granular. I have also enabled microphone mute in all streaming modes which is helpful in cutting out the background sounds. Hopefully the Infinio will do the same.

I wouldn’t stick with open domes for your next hearing aids. You’ll get better hearing in noise with a more occlusive dome or custom mold.

In reply to @MDB

Thank you for your advice. An occlusive fitting of various degrees is, has always been an option to consider where appropriate and proven beneficial at trial. It would be perverse if that were not the case.

I transitioned to Sphere in September on the recommendation of my audiologist, and they have transformed my hearing- so I would recommend them to anyone.
I had dinner last night with old friends who remarked how much more engaged I was in the conversation, and wondered if my hearing had improved (if only!).
Yes, the aid is slightly larger, but it is not a problem; the spherical setting does eat up battery, and it is important to remember to switch out of it when you can to maintain power- but the handy charging unit can recharge your aids fairly swiftly without being plugged in, as there is a battery facility.
I am sure that the technology will improve further over time, but I’d recommend these to anyone who has difficulty in noisy backgrounds. It isn’t magic- the background noise is not eradicated- but the sound of speech you are facing is so much more clear.

I’ve had the same transformative experience with the Spheres. My hearing in noisy environments has been horrible previously, and I’ve had an enormous improvement with the Spheres. I speculate that someone whose problems with speech in noisy environments are not so bad as mine would not find the Spheres to be so miraculous.

Depends if you are wearing vented, or sealed earpieces. With vented, you dont get much benefit from Spheric mode…

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