Resound or Oticon?

Posted by sparklegram @sparklegram, Aug 4, 2019

Good morning everyone. I'm getting new hearing aids and Friday I saw my audiologist. I'm testing Resound first and then I'll try Oticon. She said these two are her "go-to" brands. Has anyone had experience with these two brands, and if so, do you have an opinion about them? It's been awhile since I bought my last pair which were Phonaks. Technology has changed drastically, so the learning curve seems huge to me! I'd appreciate your thoughts and experiences.

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namvet | @namvet | Nov 22, 2021

In reply to @cobraguy223 "I'm Vietnam vet, 100% Disability, the cost at VA is relevant to percentage of dis ability" + (show)

So I would need to have a "disabled" status before the VA would accept me as a patient? I have an honorable discharge but was not considered disabled.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 22, 2021

In reply to @namvet "So I would need to have a "disabled" status before the VA would accept me as..." + (show)

The answer, for most vets, is yes, you need a service-connected disability rating from the VA to get services. There are some exceptions for people who served in specific occupations or locations during times of military actions. The qualifications also change from time to time, and can be different depending on financial status and a host of other rules.
The only way to know for sure is to contact the VA hospital or your state Veteran's Service organization.
Are you thinking of contacting the VA?
Sue

namvet | @namvet | Nov 22, 2021

In reply to @sueinmn "The answer, for most vets, is yes, you need a service-connected disability rating from the VA..." + (show)

Sue, I am thinking about contacting the VA. While in VietNam I walked past a 875MM gun emplacement in An Khe. I was walking about 35 yards from the emplacement and didn't know it was even there. An outgoing shot was fired and the shock wave hit me and almost knocked me down. I then walked into the Mess tent (food hall) and realized that I was deaf - couldn't hear anything. After a short time my hearing returned but then the ringing or Tinnitus started. When I was leaving the Army I had a complete physical and they determined that I did have a hearing losss but not enough to grant a disability payment. I was OK with that. Fast forward 35 years and I am now virtually deaf in my left ear and my right ear is maybe 60% functional. My ears ring 24/7 and at times it is so loud that I cannot hear anything without the hearing aids. I have acclimated to the ringing but it has increased dramatically in the last 2 years and I want to try the Opticon hearing aids. I am getting really good feedback about the quality of the sound.
Thanks so much for asking about my situation. I will keep you updated on my status.

Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Nov 23, 2021

In reply to @namvet "Sue, I am thinking about contacting the VA. While in VietNam I walked past a 875MM..." + (show)

I encourage you to contact the VA. It wasn't until more recent conflicts that hearing loss and tinnitus were recognized as the most common disabling conditions experienced by veterans returning from combat zones. Regardless of where you get the hearing instruments, it is likely they will help a great deal. They don't 'cure' hearing loss, but a well fit pair will make a positive difference. Please let us know what you do, and how the VA responds. And thank you for your service.

johnbflat | @johnbflat | Oct 17, 2022

First time hearing aid buyer to treat a cookie bit hearing loss. I have a treatment appointment with an AuD on Friday but doing a lot of research on my own prior to the appointment.
The HA I'm most attracted to is the Phonack Lumity Life for one main reason. It has industry leading waterproofing, higher than the 68 highest rating. I sweat alot living in the Florida heat. Also need good speech filtering in background noise as my loss is in the middle frequencies. I can't hear speech in noisy places like restaurants. I like that Lumity switches automatically in a variety of sound environments and has motion sensors for directionally. Like that they use BT classic, too.
Has anyone tried this brand with good results?

ksly008 | @ksly008 | Nov 9, 2022

In reply to @tonyinmi "I have Resound Linx 3D's. I don't think the brand is as important as the quality..." + (show)

@tonyinmi

I have Resound Linx 3D's. I don't think the brand is as important as the quality of care you get from the audiologist or hearing instrument specialist (HIS). Note, in this response, I refer to an audi as an audiologist but it applies to a HIS also. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. If you have an audi that you like, stick with them, otherwise ask around. Unfortunately, I don't think this message board is the best place for that since you would need to research in your area. Knowing what you want before choosing a brand is also more important than the brand itself. For me, connectivity with the phone was the most important feature since I have a severe-profound loss (I use custom molds as opposed to a "dome"). Resound streamed into both of my hearing aids from my iPhone. You want to make sure the brand you choose will stream to BOTH ears with your phone since Android and iPhone are handled differently. Another factor for me was having a telecoil. When manufacturers release new models, they may not have a telecoil option. You may be able to upgrade to the telecoil option, if it becomes available, but you will be without your aids for the upgrade. Make sure you know if there will be a cost for this upgrade. Another feature I looked for was remote programming. With the Resound smartphone app, I can submit a request that goes to the audiologists office via the "cloud". They can make programming changes based on what I've mentioned in the request. Once the audi makes the changes, my phone will update my aids with these changes without me having to visit the audi's office. Inquire if there is a cost for any remote programming. Finally, you may want to download the app from both manufacturers to see what kind of changes you will be able to make. When we're in a difficult listening environment, we need to try things to improve the performance of the aids. The bottom line is that you have to accept the fact that you still have hearing loss with your aids in. I hear "This is the best for background noise". I've yet to try an aid that handles background noise like I'd expect it to. Do go into those difficult environments while in the aid's trial period. Ask if you can get 45 or 60 days trial since most only give 30 days.
Tony in Michigan

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I am using my 3rd and 4th HA at this time. The 3rd was a RESOUND Preza I bought 2 years ago costing $2,600 from Costco without insurance covered it. The 4th was a Signia Active Pro all paid for by my insurance because if I don't get it I lost it. As I still can get another in another 3 years. My insurance's HA supplier only choice is Signia and I don't like it as I used two already. That was why I wanted to try another brand. All I can say is I am not happy with any of them. The problem is I still cannot understand some speeches. The one I dislike most was the background noises. While I was watching TV , the sound my wife walking on a wooden floor behind me was loud. While she was washing and handling the plates, I just could not bear that. Does anyone has that problem? Please advice and share.

johnbflat | @johnbflat | Nov 10, 2022

I'm now trialing a new pair of Phonak Audeo Luimity Life E90's. I picked these as they have a lot of automatic functions. I can adjust the background vs soft voice levels turning down or increasing one or the other via the app. They have the highest waterproofing of all HA's. They are rechargeable & last all day. As far as TV, they use Bluetooth classic which works great. The Phonak TV Connect device hookups up to your TV. When the TV is on, the HA's automatically detect the TV and connect the HA's directly to the TV via Bluetooth. The TV sound is wonderful and you can adjust background sound to whatever level work best for you via the app. Works the same way for streaming music when hiking/biking. I can adjust background noise via the app to fit the circumstances. Music and phone calls, bluetooth, to these HA's is better than any ear buds I've had and they have "tap my ear" controls.

I don't like the "cone" fit I have with the "in the ear" recievers, but I think there are other options to try out....hopefully. Plan to talk about custom molded options, too. I'd like to make these HA's work for me. I like everything else about them.

May trial the Phonack Virto's "In the Ear" HA's next. The tech is a year older, but mostly the same as the Audeo. They have a little lower level waterproofing and use batteries but I want a more comfortable in my ear fit. Worth a try out.

Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Nov 10, 2022

In reply to @johnbflat "First time hearing aid buyer to treat a cookie bit hearing loss. I have a treatment..." + (show)

How are those Phonak hearing aids working for you?

nurseheadakes | @nurseheadakes | Dec 8, 2023

In reply to @sparklegram "Thank you, Eloise. Mine don't have batteries. My previous Phonak took size 13 batteries, too. These..." + (show)

AH...I know what you mean. Now that I have new rechargeable hearing aids, I don't have to use batteries anymore either. The domes on the hearing aids are small, I agree. They are challenging to connect to the neck of the hearing aids especially when they are extra small like I have for my left ear (it is smaller than my right ear). I have to wiggle it to make it snap into place in order for it to get into place so that it doesn't drop off. Nibble fingers helps which I know not everyone has. Taking a deep breathe, having a good light source so that you can see what you are working on will make sure you can see what you are doing (morning time) and being patient always helps. After a while it will be easier.

nurseheadakes | @nurseheadakes | Dec 8, 2023

In reply to @sparklegram "Thank you Nurseheadshakes. So is there a difference between Resound Linx and Resound Linx Quatro 961..." + (show)

Not really. You just have the next edition or better hearing aid. The Resound Linx was the original hearing aid. When they upgraded it - it became the Quatro. The company didn't have it when I bought my aids then. In the world of hearing aids, all companies are developing new technology to get a close to being like our ears/brains. When they are able to develop new ideas, they test them out in beta aids and then if they are successful, they add them to the new upgrades.