Phonak Sphere Review

Background-Started using Oticon OPN1 in 2016 (me 69), since I was encouraged to do so by my wife & daughter (due to me asking them to repeat themselves over & over).
It was a blessing & a curse. I was then able to hear them or not, if I didn’t want to hear it ;). I have moderate to severe loss in higher frequencies. In 2020 updated to the Oticon OPN-S1. A welcome improvement for background noise. Began having trouble with 312 batteries a few months back due to contacts needing to be serviced. So I thought it was time to go back in.

I started looking around online if anything new had come out & found out about Phonak Spheres. I also found out about DIY. I ordered a Noahlink & received the software from this forum. I’ve since learned about REM and a HAS is not an Audiologist.

I am trialing & was fitted about a week ago & the following are my observations.

From initial fitting of I90 Spheres with vented domes (not using REM) from my HAS, who said I’ll see you in 2 weeks.

Sounds are muffled & dull (lost the highs). Was able to adjust in app & was great.

Bluetooth Streaming muffled & dull and I could not adjust with the app.
With the Target software, I adjusted the Bluetooth streaming & it is great now.

A little troubling is when switching out of Bluetooth streaming, background noise kicks in automatically, until switching into default setting lowers it.

I also have Tinnitus. Although I was able to adjust in the Oticon app, the Phonak app didn’t allow it.

In Target, I saw it was not turned on. I turned it on & successfully adjusted it a little at a time & now it is perfect.

I have only had one experience to test out the Sphere in noise. I went to a professional baseball game & it was loud & noisy. It lowered background noise substantially. I made adjustments through the app to make it easier to carry on a conversation. I thought this would not be possible with my previous hearing aids.

I normally wear my hearing aids 15-16 hours with minor background noise. I have 50% plus battery left before recharging. When using Sphere for 4 hours (above) it cut down to 40% before charging.

I am learning the software & recommend to make small adjustments (if you are a DIY person). The Spheres are fatties but not a problem for me, even wearing glasses & a cap. I am happy overall so far.

I plan to continue to save my adjustments & reset to original settings before my next visit. I will compare & see how it goes.

For those interested, I considered the Oticon Intents but wanted to see how the Phonaks worked. I have an Oticon TV streamer & Connect-Clip. With the Phonaks I stream directly from my TV, computer, phone & the sound is about the same. The range is also close to the same (about 100 feet). Exciting to me, phone calls work with Apple Watch without phone.