Choosing a hearing aid phonak

Is the staph infection typically otitis externa? If so, there may be times that having any hearing aid in the ear is not prudent. I’d think it’s best to consult an ENT and audiologist (simultaneously if possible) about whether a BTE, RIE, Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) or Cochlear Implant (CI) would be best for you. If you use a BTE or RIE, cleanliness of the components that go into the ear will be crucial, as will controlling moisture by using an electronic hearing aid dryer/dehumidifier with ultraviolet disinfection after scrupulous cleaning of the wires/tubes, speakers, and domes. Fastidious cleaning and manual disinfection before using the electronic dryer/dehumidifier will be essential to avoid having your hearing aids become a culture medium of staph that re-infects your ears. Scrupulous hand hygiene is also essential.

As for features, both are available with UP speakers, Infinio are rechargeable and Naida Lumity use 675 disposable batteries. Both models have people who are enthusiastic about their features and performance. If I were frequently dealing with infected ears, I’d probably use the Naida Lumity - because tubing is easily detached and can be soaked in disinfectant, or thrown away if need be, and the same goes for domes.

I’ve been wearing CIC hearing aids for 20 years. That’s why I need to change them. I’d like Sphere, but I don’t know if my audiogram allows it or if there’s a spare. The CIC is bothering me, and my ear can’t breathe. My ears are under doctor’s supervision, and I regularly take antibiotics. The hearing aids are disinfected and kept clean. There’s no leakage. I like the Sphere because I tested it. Thank you very much for your help.

Your fitting range is perfect for UP receiver with Sphere.

For Professionals - Phonak Audéo Sphere™ Infinio hearing aids | Phonak8

However you’ll be in need of rather occlusive fit to achieve proper target gains especially in high frequencies and for boosting the efficiency of directionality and denoising features.

I do not buy the idea you need open fit because of ear infection. For what I know, no evidence suggest that with more occlusive fit and regular daily hygiene the risk is increased, especially when we talk about otitis media.

You didn’t specify, which infection you have - otitis media (zapalenie ucha środkowego) or externa (ucha zewnętrznego)?

Another option is just released ITE Virto Infinio R - the SP has huge reserve and can give MUCH gain even in highest frequencies

For professionals - Virto™ Infinio Hearing Aid | Phonak2

Phonak unveils Virto R Infinio

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNnuqeXt2qX/?img_index=2&igsh=MWExamk0YWxiZnNtbg== There is quite good review. Wow, look how much gain Virto Infinios SP can provide in 9600 Hz…! Bummer that it doesn’t have a DEEPSONIC AI chip, but I understand there are space constraints… I suppose Virto R Infinio could be better than Audeo Infinio R (non Sphere) due to better reaching target gains? Correct me if I am wrong. @Emile030, are you interested?

Thank you very much for your help. It’s definitely an external ear infection, because the doctor saw skin irritation and swelling. Antibiotic drops helped, and an antibiogram was performed. This hearing aid, the ITE version, is very interesting, but I need a soft dome.
My current hearing aid, the Widex Moment 220 CIC version, is hard, very irritating, and stretches the skin. I’ve had new castings made several times over the past three years.
Now I need to have a casting again; my ear canal is getting bigger. Time for a RIC or BTE (which I don’t want). Best regards.

this is a red pen eraser.
It’s very tiring. My left ear changes a lot.
the left ear has a problem with staphylococcus aureus.
I’m very careful about cleanliness, but without this rubber, I don’t have a seal and the hearing aid squeaks. My journey with CIC hearing aids is coming to an end.

So, try Audeo Infinio Sphere with UP receiver in silicone earmold with small vent, like 0.6-0.8mm. Ideally with long canal stalk reaching bony part of ear canal especially if you have big ear canals

The earmold impression is a key. It should be done deeply with the end at least 5mm past 2nd bend of ear canal. Ask for impression with open-jaw technique. In that you have to put 2.5cm bite block between upper and lower incisors and then hearing aid specialist perform silicone injection. No talking during silicone curation and still with bite block until removing the silicone impression.

Hi.

I spoke with my hearing care specialist about the silicone mold and showed him your post. I learned that the molds are being shipped to Spain. He stated that the quality and cooperation in producing the finished product have significantly deteriorated. Previously, the molds for Phonak were manufactured in Poland, and things were much better.

He can do the ventilation in his office because he knows about the problems in Spain. This is a disadvantage for Phonak in Europe.

@Christoph said:

He stated that the quality and cooperation in producing the finished product have significantly deteriorated.

Interesting. That’s my observation also, because they didn’t even make the cShell according to my order form, for example, AOV vent instead of 0.6mm, or 1 mm instead of 0.6mm, smooth titanium surface instead of rough, etc…

Is this perhaps a QA problem just for Europe? I wonder if @Michael_Phonak could pass the feedback along to someone who could effect a change?

WH

Hi. I just bought this hearing aid (Sphere I90). I have the power receiver with a slick sleeve closed dome. I will continue working on improving my hearing and continue treatment with a doctor. I had my speech audiometry tested by two audiologists, and the results were disastrous. I can hear and understand well with the aid, but there’s still a long way to go.

Of course, it’s not perfect in a hearing aid. But in other hearing aid, it was much worse.

later we will change the handset to Ultra Power

your Audiogram says Mo(u)lds all the way. The battle is gain versus feedback. Feedback will stop you getting the sounds you need. The 3rd factor is occlusion (hearing your own voice). If you can find a balance with all three, you’re sorted. Good luck.

@PeterH said:

your Audiogram says Mo(u)lds all the way.

@Christoph I totally agree. Unless you’ve tried molds and reject them for some reason, this could give you a big leg up in performance.

WH

Agree with @WhiteHat and @PeterH. You can temporarily use the Unitron power domes, which silicone is more stiff than Phonak ones and allows for more gain before feedback (exactly my case). You can buy them in the Geers chain.

However - you would get more benefits from UP (Ultra Power) receiver (not P) with cShell and small vent like 0.6 mm. Perhaps you need no vent, it’s like trial and error to get the perfect one. The silicone earmold would be probably the best (@Zebras experience), but Phonak doesn’t offer them, only acrylic or titanium ones. Ask your HIS about the silicone ones.

Counterintuitively, in case of Infinio line receivers (SDS UP has broader frequency response, which is very important to speech understanding.

You should get very deep ear impressions, reaching at least 5mm past second bend of ear canals.

@Christoph said:

I had my speech audiometry tested by two audiologists, and the results were disastrous. I can hear and understand well with the aid, but there’s still a long way to go.

Of course, it’s not perfect in a hearing aid. But in other hearing aid, it was much worse.

The “disastrous” part is that you need much amplification (and UP, not P receiver), but maximum percentage of speech understanding is quite decent, definitely for hearing aids.

I’ll repeat myself, but I have to emphasize this: you just need power type of hearing aids like Naida (PR or SP) or RIC with UP receiver.