Hearing loss on the road

[Halibut214]

Surely there are many out there that have hearing loss and have struggled to find a way to overcome it. I've had hearing aids for years and recently got the Phonak remote mic based on a lot of really good reviews but it is just NOT what I had hoped for. It's basically a clip on mic that's paired with your hearing aids so you can carry on a conversation with the person sitting next to you. In a one on one in a fairly quiet setting this works just okay. Even then I can many times hear my own voice and its like I'm inside a barrel. In a group setting where there are a lot of people FORGET it but many say it's great which makes me thing I'm doing something wrong. I have my iphone paired through my hearing aids and its the best thing ever but this little mic is terrible. Anyone with any experience with this and how it works for you I would be interested to hear from you or if you have ways you have overcome the inability to communicate while on the road. Thanks

[BB_TX]

Halibut214 wrote:

BB_TX wrote:
I have two Phonaks, with 5 modes, but not the remote mic. They communicate with each other. Modes are auto (default), focus on dominate sound, focus front, focus right, and focus left/rear. I can usually find one mode or the other that is better for any given situation. But in really noisy environments it can still be a problem.

These are exactly the hearing aids I have but I have the Compilot and the mic. The compilot is worn around your neck and is actually the device that other devices are paired to such as my phone and the remote mic...........

Good to know. The audiologist suggested that as an option if I was not completely happy with how mine were working. Glad I opted out.

[SpeakEasy]

Halibut214 wrote:


I jokingly told my wife she should call me on the phone and we could talk that way so I'm very intrigued by this "active listening" idea and am going to check that out. Thanks to all

Whatever it takes. Right?

-Speak

[Halibut214]

BB_TX wrote:
I have two Phonaks, with 5 modes, but not the remote mic. They communicate with each other. Modes are auto (default), focus on dominate sound, focus front, focus right, and focus left/rear. I can usually find one mode or the other that is better for any given situation. But in really noisy environments it can still be a problem.

These are exactly the hearing aids I have but I have the Compilot and the mic. The compilot is worn around your neck and is actually the device that other devices are paired to such as my phone and the remote mic. The compilot then transmits to the actual hearing aids. As I've said when talking with someone on the phone it's crystal clear. The mic is designed to be worn by someone that your talking to or could be placed on a table in a meeting or such but it has a very short reception range of about 6'. It is a very small device that one can clip on there collar and when they speak it goes to the compilot and then to the hearing aids. This is where it just isn't working for me. I have an appointment with the VA to get this checked out but one of the things I have not yet tried is switching modes which might just to the trick. I'll keep you posted.
I jokingly told my wife she should call me on the phone and we could talk that way so I'm very intrigued by this "active listening" idea and am going to check that out. Thanks to all

[SpeakEasy]

You say you have your hearing aids paired with your iPhone? On mine (Resound Hearing Aids) there is a feature in the Resound iPhone app called Live Listen. It essentially uses the iPhone's microphone for the input for the hearing aids. If the person traveling with you were holding the iPhone, with Live Listen activated, you might be able to hear that person better. That's the theory, anyway. When i've used Live Listen I have found the audio quality to be sort of echo-y. It might be something you can get used to so that you don't notice it so much.

-Speak

[BB_TX]

I have two Phonaks, with 5 modes, but not the remote mic. They communicate with each other. Modes are auto (default), focus on dominate sound, focus front, focus right, and focus left/rear. I can usually find one mode or the other that is better for any given situation. But in really noisy environments it can still be a problem.

[USAFBILL]

I have the mic and really don't find very much use for it. I let the wife wear it going down the road and that helps. I also have the remote control for Phonak. I now can switch between 3 different seperate programs and with one adjusted for maximum it somewhat helps on the road...good luck

[coolmom42]

I know lots of people who are big fans of Costco hearing aids. They do have a selection of types and accessories, and what appear to me to be really reasonable prices, compared to others I've heard about.

[Trackrig]

I have something like that, but my mic is to pick up my voice and transmit it via Bluetooth through my cell phone for phone calls. What is your mic supposed to do - how is it supposed to improve a conversation with a person sitting close by?

Bill