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Widex SmartRIC aids now out

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In reply to @IceMan45

I use the comdex with the Moment RICS, this uses a different signal type so no streaming issues. I think the Widex Sound Assist (can be used for phone, tv & as a remote mic) would do this too.

The SmartRIC has a remote control which enables the user to adjust volume and change programs. It’s small and easily fits in a pocket or on a key chain. I had something similar with a pair of Bernafon hearing aids years ago. They also had a rocker switch on the hearing aids for adjustments, but I actually preferred the remote.

I currently wear Whisper hearing aids, which do not have any switch or button on the hearing aids themselves. Adjustments are made from a separate unit which is carried in the pocket or left on a table or elsewhere nearby. Again I have had no problem with this system. Although it’s not for everyone, I think that switches on the hearing aid are frankly not for everyone either - especially for people with dexterity problems.

@billgem said:

I think that switches on the hearing aid are frankly not for everyone either - especially for people with dexterity problems.

Ah that is a good point! Options is what we need! And finger press, phone or remote are all good ones.

In reply to @IceMan45

I have to chime in, going on a month now with my SmartRIC, the streaming is perfectly acceptable for me, I can place and take calls just fine, with perfect clarity.

The portable charger gave me 3 weeks of charges before it went down to 1 LED of 3. Pretty impressive.

However, for folks who like buttons, or like fiddling with their settings a lot, yeah, there are no buttons. Mine did not come with a remote, but the times I don’t have my iPhone nearby are pretty rare, and the times I feel the need to tweak at settings even rarer.

Edited

Thank you, that’s one thing I had not realized. I am currently considering my first options and the audiologist and I narrowed it down to the Widex SmartRIC and Oticon Intent (for several reasons) and I don’t have a smartphone, never mind having to carry one with me all day! While a remote is always an option I still don’t like the idea. That narrows it down considerably for me.

Addendum: I thought I should pass on my experience. After doing a side-by-side comparison with 3 HA contenders pre-callibrated to my profile, I selected the SmartRIC for the better initial sound experience in spite of what I initially said above, sound being most important. Got the remote to go with, not having a phone. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to connect to my Samsung S7 FE tablet AND stream without much issues at all and I must say the charge capacity and portable charger are fantastic. So far a very positive experience and would say the lack of button is not an issue for me as I feared initially. I like fiddling with settings, but not when on the go. Remote works for me just fine.

Looks like it! And if one can literally DIVE into summer, I’d be the first one to jump in a pool and prove them WRONG. :poop:

In reply to @d_Wooluf

Hey Wooluf, I’ve got the SmartRIC and I don’t bother turning them off when I take them out temporarily to shower/gym etc. Pls explain how you use a magnet to turn them off, or what is the $149. device that can turn them off you are referring to?

Laughing…I was ok turning them off with my 2 sets of Phonaks with replacement batteries.
Now with the rechargeable batteries every time I think I know how, I turn them off–and I’m in never-never land. Dam things aren’t Senior Proof.

Mr Phonak! I’ll be really happy when you put me in a focus group doing beta testing to see if your new high end hearing aids will work with people like me! I think you will make much better products!

d_Wooluf: YOU GOT ME, too! I was nodding in agreement and thinking I’d best get me TWO (redundant) magnets for my TWO (redundant) rechargeable aids.

Truly, nothing would surprise me in the Land of Phonak.

DaveL: No! I got here first in line. You take a number behind me. I’ve been wanting to get in a focus group for hearing aid development for decades! Thing is, they don’t want to hear from cranky vets like us.

Yeah but.
I said it first!

And I have sleep apnea too. So I’m crankier than you!

I’m very happy I have the fine Phonaks I have. Just need the new receivers (5.0) so I can go back to the wonderful we used to have with my previous 2 sets of Phonaks. I don’t know if they have 5.0 Phonak Power Receivers yet.

DaveL

Edited

In reply to @Regor250

I’m curious what domes you are using. Our are somewhat similar and worry that anything but open domes, not recommended for my loss, will cause too much occlusal effect. I’m using open bass domes with my Philips 9030 and while they can feedback it’s not a normal thing. The Widex open domes don’t seem to have as much margin as the Oticon/Philips open bass domes. I did demo the Widex Smartric with open domes and no feedback which makes me wonder if the the accomodation level was set very low. I get to try or buy my SmartRic June 5th. Thanks.

I’ve had good luck with the Widex tulip domes and my high frequency loss is similar to yours. I am not experiencing occlusion as I have with fully and I am not getting feedback either.

In reply to @DaveL

I am also very happy with the sound quality of Phonak Lumity Life, it’s speech enhancement and rock solid connectivity! The new 312s in Precious Pink are truly something I’ve daydreamed about for years, given the BMW color lineup of Phonak aids for us ol’ foggies.

Hope you get your gear sorted so you can enjoy a summer of good hearing and NOT fiddle-faddling with all these curve balls we seem to be juggling.

Edited

In reply to @billgem

Thanks. the compass program wants me to use instant sleeve vented or the instant sleeve power tip. How comfortable are those domes? I can see they are the equivalent (roughly) of my open bass domes with my Philips 9030 as far as feedback for my hearing loss. There is a slight area where I could get feedback according to the curves. I get some now if I put something like a hand up to my ear but never really an issue.

The Compass program, which I’ve been playing around with in demo mode, is pretty confusing compared to the Philips HearSuite one which I for music. It shows virtually zero values for the insertion gain data displayed for loud sounds but the actual curves displayed show positive values at loud sound.

I’ve found the tulips to be the most comfortable domes I’ve ever worn - and I have a fairly narrow ear canal.

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