Zeal undercut by Intent? Bigger the better?

If I use the RIC aids exclusively with the music program (omnidirectional microfones, neuronal noise suppression turned off) would there still be a better performance as compared to the Zeals?

I think that could depend on the size and shape of your ear canal, the current acoustic coupling of your intent (assuming that you are currently using those), e.g. open domes, open bass domes, double domes, custom earmolds, as well as the amplification provided, your tolerance for potential occlusion, the impressions that get made, the person making the device from those impressions, among other potential factors. But someone with more experience with the zeal might have better insights there. I’d guess comparable would be the best possible outcome, but worse to a certain degree would be more likely. Potentially only marginally worse with a suitably large canal, good impressions, and careful programming? Resounds MIH, Mic In Helix, design was great for this sort of thing.

Edit: Ah, I realized that the zeal is not necessarily custom fitted. Overall, that doesn’t change most of what I said before, I don’t think.

It is not really the preset music program, it is a REM adjusted general program in which I set the mics to omnidirectional and turned neural noise suppression off.

In terms of how much the feedback manager was affecting the overall signal, technically still better due to the physical separation of mic and receiver.

In terms of performance in background noise, if you’re turning the additional features off, why not just get the Intent 3 and save yourself a pile of cash. Unless you need the accelerometer function for something else.

It is the Reals that I am using not the Intents, but you are right, I should have taken a lower tech level, but back then when I purchased the aids I did not know that I would ultimately settle on a program with all features turned off…

@Um_bongo said:

You understand what an accelerometer does?

It uses 4D magic to precisely detect the intention of the user, doesn’t it?

It does what the name says: It measures acceleration.
In a HA, it’s used to detect your head’s movements, including motion, tilt, and orientation.

My point kinda was in context of the original question: namely not much point in getting the higher end features if you just want to use a program with those features turned off.