I sure do appreciate the advice I am getting here. I have used Bolero SP Q90 for the last 5 years. I was kind of excited about trying the for a number of reasons, but mainly that I would have clearer sound due to the microphone being directly in the canal. More than one person has suggested that it might not be the best option for my hearing loss profile. What do you think? Anyone with experience with a similar loss?
From a point of view of assessment of your , you will need informed opinion from audiologists.
I happen to wear a and a and they are actually very similar. The BTE is an Oticon Synergy (from the NHS), and the RIC is a Phonak V90.
I don’t think there is a noticeable difference in clarity because of the RIC/BTE configuration.
What has made differences (not between the aids), but in general, has been the programming. The important thing, in my experience, is (Real Ear Measuement) testing. I can’t understate this, because I wore the Oticon BTE hearing aids for around 3 years and then went to an NHS followup up, where they did the REM and made significant adjustments to the bass frequencies, that made an amazing difference with music. I then used that to calibrate the Phonaks (I self program) and found that it fixed a lot of the issues I was having with the various programs with the Autosense OS.
On the issue of RIC/BTE, you have nothing to lose if you try a RIC. I think you will also find that the newer (Phonak or otherwise) hearing aids (compared to the Phonak Q Series) will bring improvements in clarity regardless of whether they are RIC/BTE.
Thank you for your response. Yes, I too am convinced that the programming is the most important thing. I am glad to hear that a could be an option for me. I do like the direct streaming capabilities I have seen available in the Marvel anyway, not sure if this is true with the resound linx quattro as well.
Direct streaming is possible with the Linx Quattro to iPhones and that is one of their strengths (very well rated), using a so called MFI (Made for iPhone) set of protocols.
The Marvel has the capability that it can also connect to Android (as well as iPhone).
There have been some arguments/discussion on here about the merits of the Marvel connectivity. Most seem to love it, but there have been some that complain that it’s difficult to pair and switch between more than one device. If you search for the thread you will be able to find it!
Good luck. Hopefully you will post your experiences once you make a decision.
I think the main advantage of a over a is size. I believe they can make them smaller because the body does not have to include the receiver. It has also been my assumption that the advantage of a BTE is that the receiver can be larger and can deliver more power, so it is suited to a profound loss. And even though the microphones and receiver are closer together, it may be possible to isolate them better from a feedback perspective.
I have a friend that has used a HA for about 8 years. His first HA was a Phonak BTE. He replaced it was a RIC model about 2 years ago. He says that the sound quality of the BTE was considerably better.
I have also noticed that most who post here that have a profound level loss tends to use a BTE model.
These are just casual observations. Since you seem to be satisfied with a BTE model, it begs the question as to why you would want to change. I’m not sure that clearer sound is a slam dunk difference. One thing I found out many years ago was that if you have something that works, and you take it apart to “fix” it, the very best you can do is get it back together correctly and have it work as well as it did before. Just my philosophy. If it ain’t broke, don’t change it…
This all said, if you have the opportunity to do a free trial of a RIC, then I would sure suggest trying it so you can find out for yourself if there are advantages. If you have to pay for the trial, that would be harder to recommend… If you have a Costco membership you could do a free trial there. It might be a little disingenuous to do it though, if your insurance company would not deal with them when it comes time to purchase.
Hi Sierra, Thank you for this good advice. I think you are right, if I can try it for free, why not. I understand your philosophy of if it is not broken, don’t fix it! However, my thinking was that this is a new option for me, a new technology, and advantage over the , maybe I am wrong and it is just a different technology that might be inferior to BTE for my needs.
Besides clearer sound, I am also under the impression that I cannot directly stream with a BTE. Currently I need a compilot, and I really don’t like it; I haven’t used if for years. It works fine if you are sitting in a quiet place but if you are walking outside it is not good for talking on the phone. It would be nice to stream more discreetly, rather than having this flashing contraption hanging around your neck. Also I have small ears and I wear glasses, haha so sometimes it is hard to have all this stuff on my face! It is for these three reason a RIC would be more appealing. The bottom line is, I need the most help I can get with the day to day use of a hearing device and the other pieces of this puzzle are just dessert!
Thanks again for the suggestions, I appreciate it!
You may have a point on the direct streaming issue. I have a Costco Kirkland Signature 8.0 model which is really a Rexton/Signia. It direct streams to my iPhone 7, and I kind of assumed most modern ’s did that. That may be a poor assumption for the models. On a quick search I found this article on BTE aids1 which suggested only a short list of BTE models did the Made for iPhone thing, which I agree is a desirable feature. Note sure how up to date their article is, but here is the list:
Signia Motion 13 Nx BTE Hearing Aids
Signia Motion 13 P Nx BTE Hearing Aids
Signia Motion Charge N Go Nx
Resound LiNX 67 BTE Hearing Aids
Resound LiNX 77 BTE Hearing Aids
Resound LiNX 88 BTE Hearing Aids
Resound Enzo ET-88 BTE Hearing Aids
Resound Enzo ET-98 BTE Hearing Aids
Oticon BTE 13 PP
I also found this Apple article2 which has a list of models at the end which are apparantly MFi. It however does not distinguish between the model types, so it would take a lot of research to figure out which ones are BTE and have the suitable power for your loss.
If your requirements are a BTE and MFi then your list of choices may be fairly short…
Thank you for this list, so kind of you! I have learned that the Resound Link Quattro does direct stream. I am kind of keen on that one. My latest as I said is a Phonak, but my first one was a Resound.
I switched my own kids to AP (absolute power) several years ago. They all said they heard high frequencies better with the RICs than with any of their previous bte instruments.
I think if you put a in a test box, then a RIC with the same settings, you would see that the horn and tube does have an effect on high frequency response. The curve will be much smoother on the RIC, while the BTE will get all spiky and up and down above 2.5k hz.
However, my thinking was that this RIC is a new option for me, a new technology, and advantage over the BTE, maybe I am wrong and it is just a different technology that might be inferior to BTE for my needs.
The size of the hearing aid body can be smaller with , and the receiver can be swapped out if there is a problem or if more power is needed. Those are the advantages of RIC. Either style has power for profound losses, way above your current level (except that one profound point at 5k).
See my hearing loss. I use a Power receiver and not a Super Power. I’m right at the top of Power receiver but the Phonak Power receiver has more options than the SP so I’m staying with it as long as possible.
I think what you are saying is since I have a fair amount of high frequency in the right ear, having smoother delivery via the should be an advantage, I am quessing it will help to fill in the medium ranges which are so low on same ear.
Don, swapping out is a good advantage. I will need custom molds so that might be more of an inconvenience than without custom, but may be worth it anyway.
It depends on the brand. For Phonak, the SP receivers require an “encased” mold, meaning you can’t just slip the mold off the receiver. For Power receivers and on down the mold just slides on over the receiver. If you started with the P receiver and later got an SP, the mold for the SP would be encased with the SP receiver.
Memphis Tn.