Anyone using any Phonak wireless accessories?

@tonyinmi Thanks for the info on MobileConnect. I learned of Listen Everywhere from a North Bay chapter meeting but will also research MobileConnect. It sounds like the same or very similar technology. We've hit roadblocks on loops unless the venue is doing a new construction project. So the Wi-Fi option could be a way to get an assistive system in place as long as it sounds as good as a loop. Still trying to find a venue nearby that has one to test.

While we are discussing new hearing technology I have a question in regards to using ear buds instead of my hearing aids while working out at the gym. Right now I need to my new Phonak hearing aids out after every work out due to sweat that forms on them. I love the bluetooth on my Phonaks! Just wondering if anyone out there uses ear buds and what would be suggested for someone with severe hearing loss. I have also used headphones but have the same problem with them in regards to sweat...any ideas would be helpful!
Scott

@sunnyone I have not used the Listen Everywhere system, but I've used the product from Sennheiser called Mobile Connect. It works well. It basically broadcasts the audio on a Wi-Fi channel so you basically just have to connect your phone to that network like you would with any other Wi-Fi network. You need to also download the associated app. For the Sennheiser system, the app is called MobileConnect. You then hear the audio directly from your phone. Since I have direct streaming from my phone to my hearing aids, I don't need any other accessories. If you don't have streaming, you would use earbuds, headphones or a neckloop (if you have telecoils in your aids/implant). If you don't have a smartphone, the venue will supply that to you with the app already installed. You're typically given cheap earbuds that you keep since they don't want them back for obvious reasons. You should work with your library to discuss the different ways that a person with hearing loss connects to their phone and the accessories that they may want to provide and also how to maintain them.
Tony in Michigan

@tonyinmi I forgot to ask you about quality of sound and latency. The library is getting a demo from Listen Everywhere, but thought it would be helpful to also have something to compare to. Did you find sound quality and latency acceptable? Thanks.

Mike

Devices that go beyond hearing aids can provide the help we hard of hearing folks need to remain in the hearing mainstream; especially socially and in work situations. They do this by bringing the sound we want to hear directly to our hearing aids, thus bypassing the background noise that interferes with our ability to understand speech. Phonak, like other hearing aid brands can connect with these accessories via BlueTooth and/or by Telecoil induction technology.

BT and T-Coil are different technologies. It pays to have both of the in your hearing instruments because they connect in different ways. BT, which adds considerable cost to a hearing instrument will connect you wirelessly to your cell phone and TV. T-Coil which costs about $15 to include in a hearing aid can also connect you wirelessly to your personal devices, but can also connect you to a sound system in a venue that has a hearing loop installation, FM or Infrared (IR) capability. While the loop is simply a matter of turning on the T-coil i the hearing aid, to connect via FM or IR will require a neckoop that plugs into the FM or IR receiver provided by the venue.

You should insist on both technologies if you want to hear well in venues such as worship centers, performing arts centers, meeting rooms, etc. A looped room can accommodate as many users who can sit in the looped area. BT requires a paired microphone from each user. If there were 20 BT users at a meeting, the presenter would need to wear 20 paired 'mikes'. Either technology would bring sound directly to your hearing aids with no background noise.

It pays to learn what is available and what it takes to connect to it. Good, also to know, that public venues are expected to provide 'communication access' via the American's with Disabilities Act. However, they get by without providing it because we who need it don't ask for it. We must self advocate. If they don't know what we are talking about, we must educate. First we have to learn ourselves.

How many hard of hearing folks out there are willing to learn, educate and advocate?

I'm a 1st time hearing aid wearer and shopping for my first pair to treat a "cookie bite". My main concern is I'm a heavy sweater who lives in the Florida heat. That said I'm looking at the Phonak Lumity Life which has higher than 68 waterproofing, but sacrifices the telecoil. It has Bluetooth classic.
While trying to understand telecoil I found out my cell phone is telecoil compatable and also has bluetooh. Seems I should be able to connect my phone to a venue's telecoil and stream the event from my phone to the hearing aids via blue tooth.
Has anyone done that?

I have Phonak (not newest model) hearing aids that are Bluetooth compatible but my main problem now is being very uncomfortable in restaurant settings because of background noise. I do have a setting for this but it absolutely does nothing to help me hearing even people sitting right next to me! I did see that there was an accessory you could use for places like this but don't know if it would really help. If anyone has this problem please advise, Thanks!

I have Phonak (not newest model) hearing aids that are Bluetooth compatible but my main problem now is being very uncomfortable in restaurant settings because of background noise. I do have a setting for this but it absolutely does nothing to help me hearing even people sitting right next to me! I did see that there was an accessory you could use for places like this but don't know if it would really help. If anyone has this problem please advise, Thanks!