Philips vs. Jabra (Costco decision)

For the record, my Jabras connected to my W’s iphone without a problem via both MFI and the Jabra app. My S20 5G is close enough to the S20 and S21 to connect pretty much as well as either, and I doubt that ReSound will fix the app quickly. I’ll wait a few days to see if I get a resolution from ReSound, but I think an iphone is in my future.

Thing is, I pretty much use my phone as a phone, so I hate to replace a 3 year old former top of line phone while it has plenty of use left in it. We bought a pristine iphone SE (2020) a few months ago for $130; now they’re more like $200. Bummer. Fortunately, we can spend the money.

@mystuart said: (unavailable)

If your TV is “smart” and has Bluetooth, you can link to it directly with your hearing aids, avoiding completely a separate “steamer” device

Only if you have Phonak aids that use Bluetooth classic. Most all other hearing aids use Bluetooth LE which cannot pair directly with Bluetooth classic devices. That is also why Phonak aids have a shorter rated runtime per charge compared to their major competitors.

Thanks. Didnt know that. I use Bose Hearphones and they pair easily with all my Apple devices and my Sony TV.

The bottom line is that no two hearing losses are the same. You can look at two audiograms side by side with similar losses results and those two individuals may hear differently and may choose completely different aids. So no one can answer which aid is best for you. Trialing all the aids that are available for the range of your loss is the ideal situation. Some audiologist allow that, some don’t, some will charge for the trial period. Costco provides an exceptionally long trial period but only one aid at a time and provides a full refund but I have read on this forum that it doesn’t always go smoothly. And not all Costco are the same. Remember, any new aid is going to be loud and possibly overwhelming at the beginning. The brain needs time to adjust and then the new aids will probably need further adjusting. So don’t jump to conclusions when you first try a new pair of aids. Also most states have mandatory trial periods although Costco always exceeds that. With my loss a trial period is almost required and fortunately I have an audiologist that allows that. Just take your time and wear the aids as much as you can. Even when you are in a quiet environment. You need time to get used to them. I don’t know if you have posted an audiogram but that would be really helpful for those with much more knowledge than me. Take your time. Many people here will tell you you are about to travel on a very treacherous road. Just take your time. One last point. No hearing aid will return your hearing back to normal. They help. They don’t fix

I just ordered my first ever HA, Philips 9040 at Costco, without really trying it first, as seems to be suggested here. I did this because I have read many very positive reviews about the Philips. Also, I don’t believe that I can adequately judge a HA without it being adjusted for just me, over weeks and weeks. I was told that the Jabra is also very good, but I doubted that I could really judge it without the many tweaks I expect to need. I understand, if I’m dissatisfied with the Philips, I can return it within 6 months, and I would then order the Jabra. I’m comfortable doing this, but I don’t think everyone here would agree.

I was told that they don’t have demos in the store to try? You have to buy them to try them.

Actually, it’s 180 days.

However, if you are not satisfied within a couple months and you tried a couple of different hearing aid fitters, I don’t see much point of continuing with the same hearing aid brand.

To get the best results, take notes and bring them to your fitter when coming back for adjustments.

Note that Jabra now comes with auracast capability.

@Tony3 said:

I was told that they don’t have demos in the store to try? You have to buy them to try them.

Told by a Costco HA department employee? I’ve bought 5 HAs from Costco, and I’ve been able to get in-store trials with multiple models each time. Once the specific model I was interested in wasn’t immediately available. I also was loaned a pair of current HAs while my almost-out-of-warranty aids were being refurbed.

Each in-store ‘test’ was set up in accord with my most recent audiogram.

One really needs weeks to get to know the pluses and minuses of an aid and its programming. That requires buying the aids.

IMO, there are too many choices and too many variables for anyone to know which HA is best for them. I think the goal is improve one’s hearing significantly - with ‘significant’ being in the ear of the beholder.

@Tony3 said:

I was told that they don’t have demos in the store to try? You have to buy them to try them.

I would have been offered a walk-around-the-store demo but the fitter and I agreed that without custom moulds (in my case) there wouldn’t be much point.

I can ask again, they told me they don’t have any hearing aids in the store