Phonak Maxx vs. Phonak Naida

[ryancher]

My 3 year old son has a moderate/severe bilateral hearing loss. His loss was detected at birth and he was fitted with his first aids when he was 5 months old. As we had no knowledge about hearing aids (or deafness), our audiologist picked out his hearing aids. She recommended Phonak Power Maxx. He's been wearing these for the past 3 years.

He appears to hear with his hearing aids - turns to sounds and understands sentences. But he has yet to speak - still non-verbal. I'm concerned about this and since he is coming due to get new aids I've been researching brands.

I instantly gravitated to the Phonak Naida... but after searching online I've seen lots of mixed feelings. Would you recommend Naida to a young child? Are there any other "superior" hearing aids out there that you recommend? I want to have the knowledge to pick the right hearing aids for my son.

The Phonak Naida sound awesome super powered, slim, water resistant, sound recovery, whistle block, and the list goes on.

 

[lovezebras]

the naidas are good for deeper losses...more for severe profound..but ask your audi's opinion...i will tell u now tho the naidas are not slim..well..they are slim for a power aid..but bigger than your sons current aids are just to let you know

 

[ryancher]

hmmm... I wonder what would be good for a moderate/severe???

His left ear is moderate/severe and his right ear is severe.

The Naida's are not slim??? I thought they'd be small? You think they'd be bigger than the standard Power Maxx?

 

[ryancher]

I looked on Phonak's website and the only pediatric hearing aids are:

Nios micro - but they are only for mild-moderate/severe losses. I think my son's right ear (severe loss) may need stronger.

Audéo YES - but there are no molds with this one - and my son is still too young and requires ear molds.

Naida - moderately-severe to profound hearing loss.

I would have thought they would have had a bigger selection for children???

Is it better to get a stronger ha? Or is it appropriate to get exactly where the hearing loss falls?

 

[ryancher]

Here's a better way to put it...

If your 3 year old child had a sensiorneural hearing loss since birth (left ear moderate/severe, right ear severe)... which hearing aid would you want to purchase for him/her?

Recommendations... suggestions... etc...

 

[Bottesini]

Oticon Safari

 

[lovezebras]

I think the naida is a fine aid I'm sure they can configurate to his loss the junior version super powers have a big of a modearate range and then goes into severe to profound range...what's his highest dB that he hears? And I'm pretty sure they are bigger than the maxx that he has now. I will show you the picture of my super power naidas.
http://www.alldeaf.com/hearing-aids-cochlear-implants/75368-naida-v-sp-up.html

 

[TWA]

The Naida's would be fine. What concerns me is that it seems like your son has a more severe loss than you're letting on if he hasn't begun to speak at 3 years old. Have you looked into speech therapy or sign language? You really need to get his language development jumpstarted. NOW!

 

[lovezebras]

I heard the oticon safaris are good as well and they have some cute colors for kids too...was also gonna bring the speech thing up as well..are you not doing ASL at home? Whens the last time he has had his hearing tested. And if you aren't doing ASL at home than how do you communicate?

 

[Bottesini]

I heard the oticon safaris are good as well and they have some cute colors for kids too

Plus I think they are really small for a little kids ear, but have lots of power and features.

Plus they will get a little Oticon otter with his own hearing aids. (I think, unless they changed that.)

 

[Bottesini]

Key Features of Oticon Safari This link tells fitting range and what they can do.

 

[ryancher]

What concerns me is that it seems like your son has a more severe loss than you're letting on if he hasn't begun to speak at 3 years old. Have you looked into speech therapy or sign language? You really need to get his language development jumpstarted. NOW!

What exactly do you mean by this? does he have a more severe loss than I'm letting on???? NO! He has a moderate/severe loss in his left ear and a severe loss in his right ear. He's had several hearing tests in the past 3 years and each one confirms the same.

And as for getting moving on his language development. Yes we have had speech therapy and an ASL teacher on board since he was a year old. We even tried AVT at one point but he didn't respond to that. He responds to all sounds, voices and sentences... but he doesn't speak. My oldest had the same issues (although he's hearing) and didn't speak until he was 3. Taking in account that my youngest has hearing issues I figured he'd be even later.

Why he's not speaking... I don't know! If you have any suggestions I'd welcome them... but it's definetely not from use of hearing aids, speech therapy, asl, etc...

We've started to use PECS with him and he's really responded to them... but I'm still pushing speech with signs.

I'm going to research the Oticon Safari's now...

 

[ryancher]

Checked out the Oticon Safari's... they look good... but I'm still leaning towards Naida... I like Phonak. :P

He comes due for new aids early October. He has another hearing test next month and I'm going to talk to his audiologist about what aids she recommends.

Oh... and he just turned 3 at the end of June.

 

[Bottesini]

Checked out the Oticon Safari's... they look good... but I'm still leaning towards Naida... I like Phonak. :P

He comes due for new aids early October. He has another hearing test next month and I'm going to talk to his audiologist about what aids she recommends.

Oh... and he just turned 3 at the end of June.

As for his speech, I didn't talk until I was 5.

 

[JennyB]

The Naida's would be fine. What concerns me is that it seems like your son has a more severe loss than you're letting on if he hasn't begun to speak at 3 years old. Have you looked into speech therapy or sign language? You really need to get his language development jumpstarted. NOW!

Even with a mild hearing loss you can see significant language delays. Don't scare people.

 

[JennyB]

Checked out the Oticon Safari's... they look good... but I'm still leaning towards Naida... I like Phonak. :P

He comes due for new aids early October. He has another hearing test next month and I'm going to talk to his audiologist about what aids she recommends.

Oh... and he just turned 3 at the end of June.

The Safari's are a bit chunkier than they look. At least as wide as the Naidas.

Where abouts are you located? The exact date to be due for new aids makes me wonder if you are in Ontario?

 

[JennyB]

What exactly do you mean by this? does he have a more severe loss than I'm letting on???? NO! He has a moderate/severe loss in his left ear and a severe loss in his right ear. He's had several hearing tests in the past 3 years and each one confirms the same.

And as for getting moving on his language development. Yes we have had speech therapy and an ASL teacher on board since he was a year old. We even tried AVT at one point but he didn't respond to that. He responds to all sounds, voices and sentences... but he doesn't speak. My oldest had the same issues (although he's hearing) and didn't speak until he was 3. Taking in account that my youngest has hearing issues I figured he'd be even later.

Why he's not speaking... I don't know! If you have any suggestions I'd welcome them... but it's definetely not from use of hearing aids, speech therapy, asl, etc...

We've started to use PECS with him and he's really responded to them... but I'm still pushing speech with signs.

I'm going to research the Oticon Safari's now...

I work with kids who have disabilities and who are Deaf. PECS are great, especially if there is no other expressive language. Without a communication outlet you will get one very angry little boy! Use what works but continue to work on the expressive language.

Sometimes other things aren't as easy to diagnose when hearing loss is in the mix - such as Autism Spectrum Disorders. I am on the spectrum and I have hearing loss and I know for me the Aspergers diagnosis came late.

 

[ryancher]

Thanks for your replies...

I knew when we found out about his hearing loss that he'd be a late talker... especially since our oldest was late and he had no hearing issues. It just annoys me when people make assumptions that because he's not talking there's something else wrong or we're not getting him the services he needs.

I know in my heart he will speak... it's just going to take more time and work on all of our parts.

He's responding GREAT to PECS so we're using them. We have a board on our fridge that gives him constant access to most of his daily wants/needs. It has definetely helped his frustration... even with the PECS he still gets frustrated but it's helped. And along with the PECS I'm still constantly pushing speech and signs. I want him to be able to do both.

And yes... we live in Ontario... about 40 mins north of Toronto.

The Safari's look so cute... but my gut keeps going back to Naida. I just worry because they sound so complicated and I've heard a lot of mixed reviews. And obviously as a parent, you only want the best for your child.

Bottesini... you said you didn't speak until you were 5... do you mind me asking you your degree of loss?

 

[Bottesini]

.

Bottesini... you said you didn't speak until you were 5... do you mind me asking you your degree of loss?

Severe .

 

[JennyB]

Thanks for your replies...

I knew when we found out about his hearing loss that he'd be a late talker... especially since our oldest was late and he had no hearing issues. It just annoys me when people make assumptions that because he's not talking there's something else wrong or we're not getting him the services he needs.

I know in my heart he will speak... it's just going to take more time and work on all of our parts.

He's responding GREAT to PECS so we're using them. We have a board on our fridge that gives him constant access to most of his daily wants/needs. It has definetely helped his frustration... even with the PECS he still gets frustrated but it's helped. And along with the PECS I'm still constantly pushing speech and signs. I want him to be able to do both.

And yes... we live in Ontario... about 40 mins north of Toronto.

The Safari's look so cute... but my gut keeps going back to Naida. I just worry because they sound so complicated and I've heard a lot of mixed reviews. And obviously as a parent, you only want the best for your child.

Bottesini... you said you didn't speak until you were 5... do you mind me asking you your degree of loss?

I am the executive director of an agency based out of Toronto that provides support and advocacy to the the Deaf community, called Signs of Support. Our website is down right now - or else I would post the URL. If you need anything around resources just let me know!

I have Naidas myself. Personally I dislike them, but I do know that there is a huge difference in my speech understanding with them. I just hate how it sounds. I have been told by many though that when introduced in childhood the success rate with them is fabulous. I would suggest trying them and see what happens.

Language delays are not at all uncommon with hearing loss. I don't think anyone here is saying there must be something else "wrong" or going on, just suggesting the possibility. We can't say anything without meeting your son!

I will say I have met some kids who didn't have any expressive language and then one day just start speaking sentences. I also know that with most kids who want to communicate will find a way to.