Do I need custom molds by your estimation?

Thank you, shootist.

“See if your television will allow Optical Out and sound to your TV speakers (or soundbar) at the same time. If so, optimal setup is easy. Resound/Jabra TV streamers connect using either an Optical cable or RCA Jack(s).”

What is Optical Out/Optical cable, or RCA jacks? I should also ask my husband if he knows any of that.

Our tv is from 2008, so to get a streamer we’d have to get a new tv, which we could do. Except that there is so much on our plate right now! Including me getting the aids tweaked, and getting used to them. And for him to get his aids (October 11th) and also to get used to them. It’s a heck of an adjustment!! I think that it will be challenging for him. He’s more in denial than I am about the level of his healing loss, although he knows that he needs them.

AtillaDaPun,

What are skeleton locks? Are they the same as sports/concha locks?

I am desperately in need of several means of keeping the aids in place. I will be getting new masks soon, and will have to get N95 masks that tie at the back of the head. I am balking at them, because they are all white and look so clinical at a time when few are wearing masks. I don’t mind whatever people think. about them, but . . .

I also may try a device that allows for using KN95’s to attach in the back of the head. Plus, Deaf Metal devices.

@Neville29

I am sobered by your “If someone put you in open domes I would . . . be worried. Unless your ear canals are very small. Like, pediatric small.”

I know that I already replied above, but that got my attention! I don’t know how long my fitter has been doing this, and therefore whether he’s too inexperienced or not.

He does spend time and is attentive though. But my level of hearing loss is significant and much too longstanding.

Skeleton locks are an extended part of custom molds, fitting into the curve of each helix. They are only solid on their outermost edge, with open space in the center.

Scroll down to page 14 to see Phonak’s example of a skeleton lock.

@AttilaDaPun said:

@Blue_Pearl1 says she’s currently using tulip domes. Are those too open?

Probably what she’d have been fitted with at my practice in the first instance.

@Blue_Pearl1 said:

I am sobered by your “If someone put you in open domes I would . . . be worried. Unless your ear canals are very small. Like, pediatric small.”

Well, but you’re not in open domes. You’re in tulip domes which may be appropriate depending on the shape of your ear.

However, you comment that if you push them way in you ‘don’t hear ambient noise’ which sounds a bit like a lack of gain. But then you also mention that you are turning them way down. So it may be the case that the low frequency gain is appropriate, but you are removing it?

Hearing aids can take some time to get used to, and more time if you’ve been putting them off for a long while. Just communicate what you are experiencing with your clinician and keep in mind that adaptation takes time. They may be able to adjust things a bit, reduce some high frequency gain or add some compression in a way that makes the hearing aids more comfortable, and then slowly transition you up to more audibility.

As for the original question about whether you need custom tips–you’re on a borderline where they may be beneficial or you may hate them and the clinician is making their best guess with probably a minor bias towards not asking you to spend more money. I’m sure that they would be willing to try them with you, you’d just have to be willing to spend the money and not get angry with them in the event that it doesn’t work out (custom tips are often non-refundable). The potential benefits if indeed the tulip domes aren’t supporting you are a richer, clearer sound with better access to soft speech. The potential downsides are being unable to hear anyone when you are chewing because everything is way to crunchy, you own voice is uncomfortably loud and your footsteps are boomy, a slightly less discrete device. You could try a power dome first to try to get a better idea which way it’s going to go. Power domes are often more occluding than a properly vented custom tip, so if they cause you problems then a custom tip still may not, but if they DON’T cause you problems then you’d be fine in a custom tip.

@PeterH

Where do you get Sou

Neville,

Yes, I am very much still getting used to HAs, and have only had them adjusted once since the adjusting when I got them. I am making progress with now being able to use All Around program instead of Hear In Noise. I am sometimes increasing the volume, too. But it is very much a work in progress, as can be expected. I often use the noise filter, also because the ambient sounds are excruciating, like my husband crinkling a cellophane, stacking the dishes, etc.

It may be that the Jabras are not the right aids for me, but it is way too early to give up on them.

It’s a shame that I didn’t have aids long ago, but I had a bad experience with 3 different audiologists, 2 because of the company that was providing hearing aids through insurance. Plus, serious health issues in between.

Thank you, Neville. There is so much to learn and try!

@Blue_Pearl1 said:

Yes, that’s what I was going to ask, about the SoundRecover 2. Where do I get it? And how do use it? Maybe you have a link? Thank you

You don’t really do anything with it, it’s just part of the Audiologist software. It’s either enabled, or not.

I’ve only just started using it with my Lumity L70 UP. To be honest I don’t notice it, but I have noticed better speech recognition (not asking people to repeat themselves as much). One thing I found is, I couldn’t play in my band with a SoundRecover2 programme enabled. I’ve got round that with a fully independant Music programme (without Sound Recover).

I suspect, Sound Recover isn’t really needed for my level of loss, but Phonak uses it as a feedback killing tool. I may be wrong on that.

Here’s my current programming. It would be useful if you could get a photo of yours.

Peter

Sound Recover isca name Phonak uses for it’s frequency lowering technology. Most hearing aid brands have some form of frequency lowering.

Looking at your audiogram I don’t see you needing this technology. Your high frequency hearing isn’t too bad.

I also tend to think molds will end up being what you need but maybe not. REM and feedback will dictate which acoustics you will need.

Good luck acclimating to your new aids.

You are getting some great advice.

I don’t know why Phonak generally defaults SR2 to on.

@MDB said:

Phonak generally defaults SR2 to on.

In the past Sound Recover typically had to be turned on. SR2 seems to be more aggressive. I have been out of the DIY too long.

@PeterH said:

but why is it generally a default when I have enough headroom available in those frequencies?

With your audiogram I wouldn’t be using frequency lowering. It’s great when those upper frequencies are nonresponse.

When I trialed Spheres I asked about frequency lowering. Audiologist said I didn’t need it. I asked to see the settings. “Oh look, it’s turned on.” Didn’t give me much confidence.