Digital Hearing Aids

Which Hearing Aids Brand Would You Recommended?

  • Phonak

    Votes: 11 47.8%

  • Starkey

    Votes: 2 8.7%

  • Siemens

    Votes: 4 17.4%

  • Oticon

    Votes: 6 26.1%
  • Total voters
    23
Z

ZiggyBoy

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I am due to buy a private digital hearing aids, and my ear specialist recommended me a Phonak Savia Art.

But I would like to know what everybody views on Phonak, Starkey, Siemens and Oticon.

Because you are real users/consumers, I would like to get a wide range views/recommendations from you. So feel free to drop posts here.

Thanks
 
I may be biased because I just recieved my ha in the summer. But I use phonak (una) for my ha and my fm system. I haven't had any problems so far with my ha and I really like mine. It has some really good features:

4 channel gain and MPO shaping
4 independent manual programs
2 full choice listening programs
2 input selection-only program
dWDRC signal processing
AudioZoom
DataLogging
Design integrated FM or microMLxS
SlimTube option™
Digital Noise Canceler
 
I have always worn Phonak hearing aids, and always will wear Phonak hearing aids.

My best advice to you... see if you can try out different hearing aids from different companies for a little bit, get a feel for them and then decide which ones you like the best. Each hearing aid manufacturer are different from each other in the ways they make their hearing aids. I've heard of users being real happy with their Oticon hearing aids, and others are real happy with their Phonak hearing aids (like I am with mine).

I myself am looking at getting the new Phonak Naida hearing aid, as it has features that my current Phonak Supero doesn't even have (WindBlock, WhistleBlock (feedback control), SoundRecover, Real Ear Sound, etc.). And since the Supero and Naida have similar maximum gain, I'm very sure I'll be happy with the Naida once it has been programmed and adjusted to fit my hearing loss and needs.

Also, with digital hearing aids, just know that the first time you have them programmed to fit your hearing loss, it may not be "right" at first.. Everything might sound weird or awkward, or if you notice things sounding too quiet or too loud.. It'll probably take a few visits to the audiologist for more adjustments before you're happy with how you're hearing with the digitals. I've been through 2 digital hearing aids, and with each one, I've had to go back a few times in a few weeks for some tweaks here and there, and I know I'll be doing this again when I get the Naida. :)

I don't even know what my parents got me Phonak hearing aids in the first place. Perhaps that was just what the Hearing & Speech Center at the University of Wyoming preferred at the time. But Phonak is what I'm used to, and I like what they offer.

Just do some research, make some comparisons (pros and cons of each hearing aid, what you want/need for the hearing aid to do to help you, etc.), and even try them out for a short period of time if your audiologist will allow that.
 
I had the Opticon and I must say they are extremely powerful aids. I was hearing
unexpected sentences from behind me without lipreading and listening to old music.

What is your hearing loss if I may ask?
 
cdmeggers said:
My best advice to you... see if you can try out different hearing aids from different companies for a little bit, get a feel for them and then decide which ones you like the best. Each hearing aid manufacturer are different from each other in the ways they make their hearing aids. I've heard of users being real happy with their Oticon hearing aids, and others are real happy with their Phonak hearing aids (like I am with mine).
Click to expand...

SuziMaria said:
What is your hearing loss if I may ask?
Click to expand...

Thanks for your quality posts.

My hearing level is about 80 db deafness. I am currently wearing Phonak Claro 311 which is my first digital hearing aids and i had it for more than 7 years hence why I need to look for a new ones.

As I am working in a busy working enivornment for many years, is it important for me to stay with Phonak? I am worried if I try other brands, I might need more time to adjust to them and it would impact my work performance. That is something I can do without it.
 
lilitalia89 said:
I may be biased because I just recieved my ha in the summer. But I use phonak (una) for my ha and my fm system. I haven't had any problems so far with my ha and I really like mine. It has some really good features:

4 channel gain and MPO shaping
4 independent manual programs
2 full choice listening programs
2 input selection-only program
dWDRC signal processing
AudioZoom
DataLogging
Design integrated FM or microMLxS
SlimTube option™
Digital Noise Canceler
Click to expand...

Thanks for your post :) Phonak provided amazing features as you mentioned above, it is the primary reason why I might stick with them again.
 
My Audiologist told me that sometimes it's a good idea to stay with the same manufacturer, especially if you've worn their products for a real long time, because you're already accustomed and used to their products and sound quality. If you switch, it could take time getting used to the different products because the sound quality might be different. And that makes sense to me. But, every time you get a new hearing aid or have the hearing aid adjusted, you have to get used to them over and over anyway...

Ahh, the Claro. That was my first digital. It was a good hearing aid, but boy I was shocked at the improvements with my hearing when I got the Supero. My Claro was maxed out, volume wise, and we just couldn't make any more adjustments to it that could benefit me. But with the Supero, there was plenty more volume and tons of room for adjustments, and I'm always shocked at how quiet the Claro is every time I have to wear it for a short while if the Supero needs to be repaired.

Anyone's going to need some time to adjust and get used to new hearing aids, or new adjustments to the programmings, usually. Who knows, maybe that adjustment period will be shorter if you stayed with Phonak, I don't know. Everyone's different.
 
I used to use Phonak Savia Arts and I really liked them. My hearing thresholds just dropped though so I need more powerful aids.

One thing to consider is that an 80db loss doesn't give you much leeway for additional loss in the future with these aids. If your hearing changes a little bit more they might not help you to much. I only say this because it just happened to me. I am getting Phonak Naidas next week.

My Phonak Savia Arts cost me $3740 each.
 
ZiggyBoy said:
I am due to buy a private digital hearing aids, and my ear specialist recommended me a Phonak Savia Art.

But I would like to know what everybody views on Phonak, Starkey, Siemens and Oticon.

Because you are real users/consumers, I would like to get a wide range views/recommendations from you. So feel free to drop posts here.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I'm a teacher of deaf/hh kids...I see Phonak hearing aids (whether digital or analog) break or have more problems than other hearing aids. I won't buy Phonak.
 
SuziMaria said:
I had the Opticon and I must say they are extremely powerful aids. I was hearing
unexpected sentences from behind me without lipreading and listening to old music.

What is your hearing loss if I may ask?
Click to expand...

Same here...my brand new Oticon is very powerful...I have profound hearing loss in both ears. (the line is wayyyyy on the bottom of the audiogram). I LOVE it.
 
It would be hard for us to recommend hearing aids for you since it varies on your preferences.

My digital hearing aid is Siemens. It is programmable by computer. I had it programmed with 3 modes... normal, focused, and MTV. There was another mode I was offered... telephone. I turned that down and had it replaced with MTV.

What do you want from your hearing aid?
 
lilitalia89 said:
Ahhh 3740:s
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haha yeah, that was my initial thought too :giggle:

The Naidas cost LESS though and since my audie extended my trial I will get money back when I get the Naidas instead of spending more :bowdown: I like that idea hahaha
 
JennyB said:
I used to use Phonak Savia Arts and I really liked them. My hearing thresholds just dropped though so I need more powerful aids.

One thing to consider is that an 80db loss doesn't give you much leeway for additional loss in the future with these aids. If your hearing changes a little bit more they might not help you to much. I only say this because it just happened to me. I am getting Phonak Naidas next week.

My Phonak Savia Arts cost me $3740 each.
Click to expand...

Would you be putting your Phonak Savia Arts on ebay by any chance? (Just kidding). Can I ask, do you have to pay for the new hearing aids?

In UK, we can either get basic model from hospital with government support(NHS who would pay for the cost) or private top of the range ones where i would need to pay the full price.
 
Finally I must ask again, from the poll result above I was wondering why nobody is voting for Starkey?

is it that bad?
 
ZiggyBoy said:
Would you be putting your Phonak Savia Arts on ebay by any chance? (Just kidding). Can I ask, do you have to pay for the new hearing aids?

In UK, we can either get basic model from hospital with government support(NHS who would pay for the cost) or private top of the range ones where i would need to pay the full price.
Click to expand...



Thankfully mu audie extended the trial on my Savia Arts so when I get the Naidas the Savia Arts will be sent back.

yes I do have to pay for the aids, but because the Savia Arts are still on trial I only need to pay for the Naidas and not the Savia Arts...does that make sense?
 
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