Miscellaneous Earplugs and Airpods

[PigSquealer]

I had a hearing test last year. Athough I have quite severe loss at 4k and above, the trial hearing aids made things worse when out in busy areas, e.g. shopping mall.

It takes awhile for the brain to relearn filtering. If the aids were programmed close to your loss range. Best to become comfortable at home for a week or two. Start with the volume low. It takes time getting used to the frequency(s) you haven’t heard in a long time. A shopping mall ? Big open ceiling and hard floors with lots of activity! That kind of environment can take a year to adapt.
Some environments they just don’t work. Hard floors and glass wall restaurants are the worst.

 

[PigSquealer]

There’s nothing in the small print on the website which suggests an audiogram is needed and they do have their own in built hearing test.
Why would a deaf ear rule out APP3s? Won’t one work on its own?
Why is nothing with technology simple, have they never heard of ‘plug and play’?

The technology is simple. The listed specifications are written in stone. It’s human anatomy that’s the variable.
Yes they have their own hearing test available. Makes the sale easier. I haven’t looked into the apple pods. Are they multiple channel programmable ? That’s to adjust mapping to loss curve. How’s the directional processing? Knowing what direction the sound is coming from matters.

I have my units programmed for 4 different environments. I may add another soon. 1, listening to music with or without headphones. 2, playing music, has different dampening and cut off at something like 67db. 3. Indoors/ quiet room. 4. Outdoors / noisy.
I switch between 3 & 4 all the time. Volume I usually turn down if anything.
If all else fails I use the AI assistant mode. Or change hearing to focus directly on the person(s). The sound is adjustable front, back, right & left. It’s nice to turn off people sitting behind you. Focus on who’s in front of you.
Can’t remember the functions ? No problem. They have Bluetooth connectivity. Turn on phone, tap Bluetooth. Go to App. Easy to see settings for changes or tap reset. Shows battery condition too. They are rechargeable and waterproof. A treat to hear a phone call.
Is there something like a Costco nearby? Go get yourself some free advice. Seek more than one store / service. Make an informed decision.

 

[Saxlicker]

There’s nothing in the small print on the website which suggests an audiogram is needed and they do have their own in built hearing test.
Why would a deaf ear rule out APP3s? Won’t one work on its own?
Why is nothing with technology simple, have they never heard of ‘plug and play’?

Just catching up with this thread, haven't read it all but chipping in for @lig
Yes you do a hearing test via the iPhone, it plays fequencies just like a traditional audiogram and evaluates the results.
Maybe it would rule out suitability for severe hearing issues based on the results of the test.
Finally, if technology was simple they wouldn't have any ammunition to baffle us with and keep us in the dark and convincing us of the need for comapatbility updates. Then there would be no need to updgrade. My old telephone never used to need updates.

 

[Targa]

Just catching up with this thread, haven't read it all but chipping in for @lig
Yes you do a hearing test via the iPhone, it plays fequencies just like a traditional audiogram and evaluates the results.
Maybe it would rule out suitability for severe hearing issues based on the results of the test.
Finally, if technology was simple they wouldn't have any ammunition to baffle us with and keep us in the dark and convincing us of the need for comapatbility updates. Then there would be no need to updgrade. My old telephone never used to need updates.

View attachment 33127

I didn’t even have a phone until I was 30.

 

[lig]

There’s nothing in the small print on the website which suggests an audiogram is needed and they do have their own in built hearing test.
Why would a deaf ear rule out APP3s? Won’t one work on its own?
Why is nothing with technology simple, have they never heard of ‘plug and play’?

Pure speculation on my part but I’m pretty confident it is a regulatory / legal / CYA issue.

APP2/3 are approved for use in mild to moderate hearing loss. An audiogram of your deaf ear would probably prevent you from accessing the hearing aid functions of the APP2/3 since it would likely be in the severe range.

My guess is that Apple requires an audiogram showing mild to moderate loss either via the built in test or an imported test result from a hearing professional in order to avoid liability for any mishaps that might occur if someone with severe hearing loss somehow gets injured or worse.

The technology is simple. Lawyers and greed make implementation a challenge.

 

[mizmar]

old telephone never used to need updates.

Wasn't it?
In my childhood we went from having to book an overseas phonecall to International Direct Dialing; a massive upgrade which required new phones (digitisation). Before my time; the introduction of "Dialing" at all...
Sure updates are more frequent now. The telephone could basically do one thing; now the "phone" is a complete computer and computers have always has software updates.
For me the irritation is that the industry has managed to turn big fixes into a continuous stream of new features as a means of customer engagement.

 

[Saxlicker]

For me the irritation is that the industry has managed to turn big fixes into a continuous stream of new features as a means of customer engagement.

Thats exactly it, 6.2.3.34.2.7.6.5 update fixes bugs and security issues.

 

[Nick Wyver]

I have a standard pair of NHS issue hearing aids to cope with my ever diminishing high frequency hearing. They were free, of course, and are fine. I generally wear them all the time. I wondered about the airpods but I see that a charge doesn’t last a whole day. So not a lot of use.

 

[Grumps]

The technology is simple. Lawyers and greed make implementation a challenge.

All well and good if products didn't kill people to begin with.
Thank a lawyer for that, eh?

 

[lig]

All well and good if products didn't kill people to begin with.
Thank a lawyer for that, eh?

Hehe…. Some of them. Fair point.

The class action vultures - not so much.

 

[lig]

I have a standard pair of NHS issue hearing aids to cope with my ever diminishing high frequency hearing. They were free, of course, and are fine. I generally wear them all the time. I wondered about the airpods but I see that a charge doesn’t last a whole day. So not a lot of use.

Not really an issue for me. I’ve got 2 pair. App2+App3. If you have one pair they charge pretty quickly regardless.

 

[PigSquealer]

Most modern aids are rechargeable. I can usually get two 16 hour days from a single charge. The charger is chargeable for travel. The unit will provide three full charges before the need to recharge. Six to eight days of travel is no problem.

The Rexton are very comfortable and very waterproof. There’s been more than a couple of times I forgot to take them out before jumping in the shower. I never realized the shower was so noisy.

 

[lig]

My in ear molded Lynx Quattro hearing aids run on the little disposables. They'll go for a few days. Forgot how many tbh.

I just don't wear them that often - the APPs get pretty much all the work.

I bought one 48 pack of the 312 batteries from Costco and still have a bunch left.

https://www.costco.com/CategoryDisplay?identifier=hearing-aid-batteries&catalogId=10701

 

[PigSquealer]

My in ear molded Lynx Quattro hearing aids run on the little disposables. They'll go for a few days. Forgot how many tbh.

I just don't wear them that often - the APPs get pretty much all the work.

I bought one 48 pack of the 312 batteries from Costco and still have a bunch left.

https://www.costco.com/CategoryDisplay?identifier=hearing-aid-batteries&catalogId=10701

I don’t miss having to fiddle with batteries at all. One set of digital aids lasted for just shy of ten years. Battery size 312 powered. Under normal use the 312’s would last two weeks. One 48 pack at Costco was short of a year supply. $14.

 

[PigSquealer]

Short battery life from new is usually related having the volume turned up to high.
A sign the programming is incorrect, bad fit in ear canal, or the user needs a coach. Yes proper use training matters a ton.
If anyone is trying hearing aids for the first time.
Buy two even if one ear is fine. They work better paired.
Educate yourself and those close to you on how and where they work. The “aid” primary function is for hearing people.

A need to relearn example. Someone is facing you and talking. Distance 1.5m. You can hear them fine until they turn away. That could be settings or the fact you’re relying on reading lips more than you realize. Turning the volume up will not fix the issue. Your brain is programmed to hear with visual assistance.
Give yourself time to readjust. Introduce new environments days or weeks apart. If they’re making you miserable somewhere. Take them out !
Keep notes of good and bad days. Can you hear men or women better? What environments challenge you ? Like walking on a breezy day, or I can’t identify a sounds originating direction. A car horn matters before you’re roadkill.
Take the notes with you and have tuning adjustments made. Unless a change is terribly off don’t return for three weeks. Plan on six to eight months to get settled into your aids. Especially if you’re over 55.
My house is carpeted for my hearing sanity.

Don’t be shy to ask lots of questions.