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Costco Philips HearLink 9050 fitted using the new Act (Audible Contrast Threshold) Software

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I have had mine for about 3 weeks now, not all that impressed. Granted these are my first and I think I expected too much. I can say, I have been in contact with Phillips CS about the bluetooth. Its not all its cracked up to be. Everyone I talk too on the phone has an issue with my end. At my second fitting, the fitter was less than hospitable, he actually became irritated that I questioned their settings.

My right side will charge to 100% like the left side, but when you look at the predicted hours of use, the left side is always 2 hours more than the right side. Phillips had no explanation. I asked them to make sure they noted my file.

At my last adjustment, I had them adjust the mid and high, it was way too high and made everything sound extremely tinny. I have downloaded the software and have the Noahlink, I just have to look into them.

After my second fitting, I was told there was not a next one, unless I called in. My COSTCO fitter took offense to my questions and certainly did not like Brian!

Is that the only fitter at your Costco? Are there other Costcos close to you (you define ‘close’)? Can you afford to buy from someone else? I’d complain to the store manager if you still want to deal with Costco. I’d expect better service from any provider.

Edited

In reply to @Ed13

One battery may be weaker than the other, but I would think as long as they last the full day of wearing for you it shouldn’t matter much. There is one thing to check on the 9050 that is different that the 9040. The 9050 charge through two contacts on the bottom rear and connect to contacts inside the charger. 9040 had inductive charging without direct metal contacts and took longer to charge. So, make sure the contacts are free of dust or debris and make sure a good contact is make when you insert them into the charger. The amber light should light up. And when you open the charger lid after charging the green lights will come on. If they don’t come on that is a clue that good contact was not being made when they were inserted.

Thanks for your reply and suggestion. Per the application, both are charging to 100%, but when you look at usable hours, the right ear is always 2 hours less. Yes it is fully charging and green indicator lights!

I would trust that they are in fact at 100% and maybe the app is messing up a bit of the hour reading. I wonder if quitting the app and then turning it back on would change that hour reading or deleting the app and re-downloading it.

In reply to @Ed13

@Ed13 said:

when you look at usable hours, the right ear is always 2 hours less.

If your right side hearing loss is more severe than your left, this is normal. It’s drawing more current.
My Oticon Intent shows a 1 hour diference, and I know my right side is more severe.
It would help us to help you if you post your .
Just go to the main forum page, and click on the “Forum” drop down at top right, where you’ll see the link to “My Hearing Tests”

When I got my 9050’s in October, I asked my Costco audiologist if she could program ACT for me. She checked and advised they did not have the 2-minute diagnostic tool, nor were they authorized to input an ACT value. I had watched Brian’s videos, so showed her the drop-down menu on her software, and asked if I could trial and error an input of “9” while she looked the other way. That was met with a firm “no”. I have a Noahlink coming, and intend to make a copy of my General Program to trial and error a range of ACT values (-4 to 16 is the range).
I understand that ACT is neural rather than purely auditory. I suspect mine is "moderate value (7 to < 10 nCL) “Your result falls within the moderate range for your ability to separate speech sounds from background noise. Your ability to hear effectively in busy or noisy listening environments is compromised to an extent. This means that you are working hard to hear and understand speech in these situations. Sometimes you may be able to cope, but it may come at the cost of listening fatigue and needing to recharge when you leave the situation, feeling more tired earlier in the day or evening. Unfortunately, it may also mean that you miss parts of conversation, or that you concentrate so hard to hear what is being said that you struggle to recall information from the conversation at a later time.

Does anyone know if changing ACT only effects program P1?

My 9050’s are “Almost Heaven” as set up by Costco. I copied P1 into P4 to trial and error ACT, starting with an ACT setting of 8. I had hoped to “freeze” P1 so I could always go back to the audiologist’s settings. However, rather than modify the P4 settings, it looks like ACT only changed P1. So now I need to protect P4 as my base!

My initial reaction to P1 with ACT 8 is very positive. In a group of 6 with quiet background music everyone was very easy to understand. All sounds were very natural. Now looking to test the settings in a high background noise environment.

thanks for bringing this up. It’s good to know about. It’s something i will ask my fitter about when i go to my appointment. I am thinking of getting the philips 9050 too. At the very least it is something to tinker with on the level. I have trouble in noise, so it is a good resource to know about

here is dr cliff talking about it (ACT)

Glad to see that they’re working out for you.
The 9050 seems like a great .
Finding a great fitter is a real plus, too!

Wouldn’t most places be running these anyway?

I’m not sure that ACT is the best test, but non-computerised Audiology should be a thing of the past now. It’s basically saying you don’t do out of the box.

I had my hearing test done today at Costco, and my fitter was not familiar with the ACT test. My guess is that it will become more widely used in the near future, but it still seems too new?
It’s a great concept, addressing a common problem, that only adds 2 minutes to the time to complete the battery of tests. It sounds like a good, simple tool that can provide better outcomes. :+1:

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