Veteran with questions

I installed the Oticon ON app and and paired the phone with my HA - also activated my Oticon account. I rebooted the phone and verified the phone and HA were paired. Also, i had turned off then on (twice) the HA. But the phone audio does not go to the HA at all like my old Phonak did - not at all. What to do?

The app does show battery strength and i did use it to change HA volume.

It looks like (from what Chuck and Flash have mentioned) your phone is not able to connect directly for phone calls. You need an accessory. A clip is a common device to go between your phone and HAs. Ask your VA audiologist for this.

WH

OK.
I did get some connection between my phone and the TV. I turned on bluetooth on my phone and tried to turn on bluetooth on my TV (in addition to turning off-on the HA’s) and rebooting the phone. I brought up a youtube vid on my phone and cast it to the Samsung TV - that totally worked with audio and video on the TV. I think bluetooth is not required to do that because I did the same thing weeks ago with no problem and I assume this process is simply using my home network wi-fi to do it.

With Oticon ON running (which may have nothing to do with my problem) I got the TV to show the fact that it wanted to play the youtube with bluetooth on (TV and phone) the TV went black, then showed a pattern on the screen along with a cloudy written blurb at the bottom of the screen that told me it was the “right” video, but there was no video of the youtube actually playing - there was simply a pattern on the screen that was static and not even clear - maybe a Samsung pattern of some sort. So, I am thinking that the TV bluetooth was looking for a device to play audio from the device transmitted to the TV. In fact one of the TV displays said to turn on music on the device to play (to the TV, I think). I never did get the TV to play audio to the HA’s. I am just totally confused by the mess.

I have asked (computer msg to VA Audio) about getting a CLIP, etc. Waiting for their reply.

Your oticons will not accept audio directly from the TV. You need either the clip or a TV adapter.

WH

Jumping in here mid-stream …
Congrats on the new “ears” coming your way. I’d only add: do NOT leave the audi’s clinic until you do the following:

• See how the aids sound. If they are flat, booming, tinny or in any way wierdly NOT what you’re used to hearing, see if any adjustments can be made right there to make things sound more natural.
• Test your aids with Bluetooth streaming to your phone. I wish audis would also have the TV connectors so their customers could test that out and SEE how to actually hook up TV connectors to a TV.
• Make a test call to see how the audio quality is streaming and NOT streaming phone calls. I always call CVS Caremark (my Medicare drug plan provider) cuz they use one of those dumb robo-answering machines to route calls. Perfect for me to test if my aids are in streaming mode and what to set the volume to.
• Know that you WiLL need to return for 3-4 more refinements till the aids are adjusted and programs set up to your liking.
• Comfort is KING! If these aids pinch, stick out, hurt or in any way cause discomfort let your audi know so adjustments can be made. I had to try out a few silicone tips on the speakers to see which ones worked the best with my aids.
• As others mention, payment plan and trial period are critical to know cuz if it takes a week or 10 days to get in for adjustments, you’ll burn through your trial use before you can sing “Jeremiah was a BULLFROG!2”

GOOD LUCK and keep us posted!

Thanks Bluejay really good information. I’ll print this out and take it with me.
Much appreciate!

All the VA audiologist I have used have been very thorough and professional. They will usually ask for your phone and set it up for you to make sure everything is working properly. They actually had me go outside with them and come back in and explain if things didn’t sound the way they should. Your trial period will beat least six months and this will all be laid out in writing for you. When I picked mine up and was leaving the VA to go home, I took them off! The rush of new sounds was just amazing and I didn’t want to be distracted while driving. Don’t be bashful in asking for any accessories you may need. Mine are rechargeable and I asked for and received two chargers and two tv streamers with no problems. Enjoy your new aids.

@user427 said:

TODAY IS THE BIG DAY I am picking up the Starkey hearing aids…

Best wishes with this… I hope they are just what you need to hear better!
Dan

Great thing about the VA is that they give you six months to trial new hearing aids. If you don’t like them they will try something different. I can say nothing but good things when it comes to my hearing care at the VA. Other areas, not so much…

Picked up my second set of VA Oticon aids last week. More1. Very happy with VA treatment for past 4 years. I like the More1 but for some reason TV streaming is tinny and flat compared to the OPN1’s I had. They were very rich sounding with good fidelity. Hope the new ones can be adjusted.

OK – It’s MAY DAY!! And, time to find out what the VA has added to their approved lineup…

Does anyone HAVE A LINK to the VA’s choices for the next six months?? It could be an article that is external to the VA, which might be better than just a list.

More than likely the VA servers will not be updated until after work hours tonight. I know that is what happens when there is hearing aids software updates and new hearing aid orders after the new contracts are issued.

Don’t discount the value of a 0% disability designation. Although I have both VA health benefits and a hearing loss, (obviously to me, working for years on F-4’s), I was DENIED as “not service related”. For me, it isn’t worth fighting it for likely $0/mo. BUT, MORTGAGES I think are a big deal, and it used to be a Home Depot requirement to get the 10% discount.

NOTE – Home Depot NO LONGER requires a MEDICAL / DISABILITY designation on their discount. If you have an account at HD, UPDATE your service!! As soon as you do, ALL the prices just change automatically, showing the DISCOUNTED price. I just spent 1,575 at HD, and so saved $174!

– ALSO FREE Sea World / Busch Gardens Tickets — (INCL Vets! )

COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS FOR U.S. MILITARY MEMBERS
To show our appreciation for those who have served our country, we are offering up to four FREE tickets to U.S veterans and military members (for you and up to three guests). It’s a chance to enjoy the SeaWorld Orlando experience and share it with friends and family! You can also purchase additional tickets at 50% off.*

Get your tickets by verifying your military status through GOVX ID at the link below. Veteran tickets must be obtained by May 14 and used by July 9, 2023.
https://seaworld.com/orlando/tickets/military-discount/1

– NOTE this is NOT JUST for Orlando – Parking still costs a fortune… but…
Also, HINT – Don’t buy the parking before you go. I couldn’t attend, and would have lost my $$, except they gave me a refund, manually.

Hi everyone, after getting my Starkey evolv ai hearing aids from the VA I have run into a big issue. The hearing aids are doing ok BUT my phone (Samsung Flip 4) is not compatible with the Thrive App. Most of the features in the Thrive App do not work, not sure what to do. I have talked to Starkey many times and the conclusion is my android phone is NOT compatible.
Is there a better HA manufacturer that is more compatible with Android phones that I should try? I like Starkey but I would rather have an App that works with my Android phone. Any suggestions would really be FANTASTIC…
Thanks everyone.