Experience with Roger Pen and Roger Select

I have had aids, in the UK, for about 20 years. I would like to explain my recent experience and invite guidance.

Recently my three children were with us simultaneously - first time for years. On departure, they all said “for goodness sake Dad, get something to improve your hearing.”

I was using Signia Stretta aids provided be the UK National Health Service ( which, after I had created a bit of a rumpous, the provider, Specsavers, did an excellent job. But that was a year ago.)

My first step was to look for (affordable) private aids and, after rejecting the Specsavers nominal “Phonak’ aids, was fitted with nominal ‘Signia’ aka Rexton aids. After bedding in, these were a big improvement.

However, it seemed that the addition of external microphone systems offered a major benefit. I was unprepared to pay ‘new’ prices without hard evidence, so obtained both Phonak Roger Select and Pen options, to be used with a neck loop, into the T loop settings, through eBay.

I have just finished early trials with these setups.. Last night, I was at a talk, given to about 30 people by two speakers. The first speaker was much more audible with my aids set to ‘front’ listening, and worse with the Pen. By contrast, the second speaker was incomprehensible through my aids, but good with the Pen.

Similarly, I have used the Select in a noisy ‘restaurant’ environment. Neither the aids by themselves, not the Select, gave me a good experience. Far too much noise on adjacent tables interfered.

So it seems difficult to identify ‘wiinners’ in both cases.

I obviously need to continue to try out the options in a variety of circumstances, but it looks like ‘horses for courses’. If anyone has relevant experience, I would love to take it into account.