Phonak Bolero Q90 M13 Hearing Aids

Just an update I just got them back from the repair center and they are once again awesome. Three years without service of a new set seems about normal.

Guess what? My remote volume control was on the table where I place my aids each evening. :)It was behind a bowl and my son saw it.

Actually I made it just fine without it but glad to have it back for those rare occasions where more is better.

I am so glad I have this Phonak Bolero Q series. They are a life changer. The stereo feature is so cool. Today a few hours apart I good the low battery warning on each. changing the batteries in this set is much easier too.

So far I have had not moisture issues. Now having fitted ear molds vs the open fit took a bit of getting use to but they are fine now. With the arthritis it was hard to get them in and out but after about a month my ranging of motion increased and now I can insert and remove without thought or real pain.

They may not be for everyone but my level of hearing had declined even aided to the point I was missing more than I got. These do not give perfect hearing but at least now most of the time I get the message. Some high voices on the phone are very hard but by going to speaker phone using both ears is a plus.

While it only took 4 days for me to misplace my remote volume control that is not really an issue for me. The sound from the Phonak Bolero Q series (I have the M13 version) and even the noise that gets through sounds good. :)

That was not the case with older ones I had. It sounds odd to have hearing aids that cost 250% more than the only new car I have ever purchased. Good hearing can be priceless however. I had rather do without the MH than this set of hearing aids.

One correction to a statement above, The Bolero Q has a "P" model which is more powerful and an "SP" model which is even more. I have the Bolero Q90P. I really don't need the extra power right now, but they are programmed at a minimal power setting that I need right now with plenty of room to turn them up if needed. The water resistant feature was important to me as well. The Q90 is the Premium level of features so it is the most expensive. Mine were $5,400/pair.

The "auto StereoZoom" feature mentioned above works great while driving. It picks out the best voice and that is what you hear best. Road noise is greatly reduced. I use this feature to listen to talk radio.

Pair

are these prices you guys are talking about for one or for a pair?
bumpy

Rexlion the American Hears aids have been fine except for not working due to moisture if they did not get a lot of time in the dryer jar. I had the software and cables to program them and I 'detuned' them when I first got them on the high frequency range. They are cheaper but was top of line at the time and the set was $1998. I got an ad from AH and now the set was more the $1200 you paid. There is not $2800 difference between that AH option and this Phonak Bolera Q line in my view. I may get some more tubing and tips and use them (HA) for back ups if I have to send them the new ones for any reason. One reason the Phonak's are so much better is they are paired with nice ear molds instead of just the tube and tip of the open fit. Molded ear plugs just work better especially when the loss is on the high side. AH will send you a kit so you can make your own ear mold impressions that you can send to them but the Open Fit was a more simple solution at the time.

Hooray that they're doing well for you. That's great.

I have a pair of AH aids and high noise environments can still be difficult, but not as bad as it seems you had it. Little kids talking softly is the worst problem for me. Oh, and the sound of rain on the windshield while driving...! But my aids were only about $1200 for the pair; I can't quite imagine dropping 4 grand. Maybe if Santa puts a big check in my stocking..... lol.

I found while I could "function" at least in my mind that aids were more trouble then they were worth. However I expect if I could have started with computerized models like this new set of Phonak Bolera Q series I would have been a full time wearer many years ago.

It was the crunching gravel in the drive or crunching of paper that would drive me up the wall. I can hear both sounds with these new ones from Phonak but it is not a painful sound like with other aids. What is different this time in my case is the semi ridged ear molds. They are needed at my loss level but now in the third day I am starting to get the hang of making sure they are fully inserted and correctly.

If I think about it on this old keyboard I can hear myself type but it is not a mental problem. Now the kids will not have to tell me to turn off the turn signals like before. :)

If you can find a fitter of this Bolera Q line I suggest you try them. If like me you are missing more of life than you realize. I had about dropped out of group settings because I was not able to keep up with what was going on but I would keep trying to talk like I did. Got some funny looks for sure. :)

I read you wore only one for many years. Fitters I had talked to always wanted to sell two of them, and Costco wouldn't sell one of their cheaper models. I think my hearing has actually stayed the same or possibly got a little better than when I was actively searching them out but at that time my hearing was like 70% in one ear and 90% in the other (totally guessed at numbers) and I only wanted to bother with one for the 70% ear, then I could end up with 90% or so on both ears. some of the fitters wanted to improve the better ear instead which made no sense to me. have 70% and 100% instead of 90-90 seemed foolish.
but unless things get worse I won't be in the market but want to have this type of information in case it is needed.
thanks,
bumpy