Phonak Lyric Invisible 4

by Ear and Hearing Australia | Jun 1, 2021

Phonak Lyric Invisible 4

Phonak Lyric Hearing Aid Review

Lyric Hearing Aid Review Phonak Lyric invisible is an exceptionally good option for the right candidates. During my 37 years of practice, I have found no other hearing aids like it.

Lyric is the only hearing aid technology that offers complete invisibility; when it comes to cosmetics, I would like to recommend Lyric as the best option if there are no clinical contraindications!

The fact that is placed deep in the ear canal makes it possible for clients to have the benefit of the ear anatomy for better directionality, natural sound transmission and improved clarity.

As Lyric is worn 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and as clients use Lyric during all their daily activities naturally, clients might forget that they are using a hearing aid. The fact that Lyric is worn 24/7, may also reduce the risks associated with untreated hearing loss. Read more about the benefits of Phonak Lyric here.

I have found Lyric a great option for clients who have difficulties managing traditional hearing aids, as Lyric has no batteries to change and requires no maintenance and no daily insertion or removal. Read more about Lyric hearing aid testimonials here.

In cases when clients can manage, clients can be provided with a SoundLync, a magnetic adjustment tool that allows clients to adjust the volume, turn Lyric on and off, and to put it in sleep mode. Lyric can also be removed, if needed, with the SoundLync.
Cons: Lyric may not be affordable if clients have a limited budget. However, these clients can be offered payment plans.
Not everybody would be a candidate for Lyric. Narrow ear canals, history of excessive earwax build-up, eardrum perforations, ear discharge and bleeding disorders are among the factors, which may exclude clients from being a possible candidate.
Although I have had amazing results with Lyric, I have had these good results only with the right candidates. To find out how Phonak Lyric works click here!

Review by Dr Moh Dadafarin, Audiologist, Hearing Rehabilitation and Lyric Specialist, Melbourne, Australia

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How to Choose the Best Hearing Aid for You

The best hearing aid for you is the one that not only meets your unique hearing loss requirements but also suits your lifestyle, personal preferences and budget. Whether you want your hearing aids to be invisible or discreet, are looking for instruments that are easy to use or maintain, or those that have the maximum speech clarity, it all comes down to what’s best for YOU and your individual hearing needs. Therefore, deciding which hearing aid is most appropriate for you will be based on a variety of clinical and personal factors.

Phonak Virto 90 Titanium

by Ear and Hearing Australia | May 27, 2021

Phonak Virto Titanium

Phonak Virto B90 Titanium IIC Hearing Aids Review

If end users are looking for a super discreet hearing device, then the Phonak Virto B Titanium Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC) is the one for them. Released in 2018, it is the smallest in-the-ear device that Phonak has put forward from its predecessors.

Compared to the tradition acrylic in-the-ear devices in the market, the titanium shell is seemingly thinner and stronger. The thinner shell enables a deeper fitting of the device in the ear canal (up to 26% smaller) so that exceptional sound quality can be achieved. It also has an IP68 rating for resistance to dust and water.

The Virto B Titanium comes in 2 performance levels, the premium performance level B90, followed by the advanced B70 performance level. The device is suitable for individuals with mild to severe hearing losses.

Importantly, the stand out feature incorporated in the device is known as Autosense OS. This sophisticated feature senses the client’s surroundings and automatically adjusts accordingly to the program available, to deliver the best speech understanding. In other words, less effort is required by the client. From my clinical experience, Autosense OS is rather beneficial for clients that find it difficult to select the appropriate program for a specific environment.

Although the super small device is appealing for hard of hearing individuals, like most products there are limitations. I have found that frequent maintenance is required as the style of the device makes it more susceptible to cerumen. Users that have dexterity issues have commented that the devices are relatively difficult to manage i.e. replacing filters and the small size 10 batteries.

Nonetheless, in contrast with the other custom devices the design of an enclosed microphone (located underneath the battery compartment) is a brilliant initiative to protect the microphone, increasing the reliability of the device. This design is what separates this device from other in-the-ear products in the market.

Overall, the Phonak Virto B Titanium delivers excellent hearing and comfort outcomes so that clients can establish confidence in their everyday hearing situations.

Review by Wai Yin Pong, Clinical Audiologist, Clinical Audiologist, Melbourne, Australia.

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How to Choose the Best Hearing Aid for You

The best hearing aid for you is the one that not only meets your unique hearing loss requirements but also suits your lifestyle, personal preferences and budget. Whether you want your hearing aids to be invisible or discreet, are looking for instruments that are easy to use or maintain, or those that have the maximum speech clarity, it all comes down to what’s best for YOU and your individual hearing needs. Therefore, deciding which hearing aid is most appropriate for you will be based on a variety of clinical and personal factors.

Phonak Bolero M90

by Ear and Hearing Australia | Nov 27, 2018

Phonak Bolero M90 Marvel

Phonak Bolero M90 Marvel hearing aid review

Bolero M90 and Bolero M90-PR hearing aids are the premium options in the Marvel family. Leading the innovation change is the new Phonak Bolero Marvel (Bolero M) hearing aids. These multifunctional hearing aids deliver excellent sound quality, are easy to use and provide a true sense of well-being. Unlike any other hearing aid, they connect directly to either your iOS or Android smartphone or other Bluetooth® enabled phones to stream any kind of audio.

You can enjoy true hands-free phone calls and stereo sound quality streaming for your music, videos, e-books, podcasts and so much more! With a simple plug and play solution, called Phonak TV Connector, you can also enjoy your favourite TV programs and movies. It’s just like using wireless headphones – except maybe even better. With Boleo M the microphones on the hearing aids can be used to send user’s voice to the caller. This means user can walk away from the phone and still have a clear conversation. The user can even answer, hang-up, or reject a phone call with the hearing aids themselves.

What makes Marvel hearing aids outstanding?

Exceptional sound quality from the first fit
Better speech understanding in noise
Reduced listening effort in noise
Connectivity to smartphones – iOS and Android, and a variety of everyday electronics
Extra-long streaming time
Top rated streamed sound quality combine excellent sound quality with direct connectivity, powerful rechargeable battery technology and smartphone apps – all in one. It’s no wonder that 95 out of 100 Hearing Care Professionals recommend an Bolero Marvel.

The New Phonak Bolero Marvel has an impressive range which includes Lithium Rechargeable, Lithium Rechargeable with Telecoil, size 13 battery with Telecoil, and size 312 battery model.

My favourite feature in Marvel M is AutosenseOS 3.0. which an automatic program that adjust the hearing aid programming depending on the environment that the user is in. This feature makes Phonak hearing aids a good option for people who may have difficulties manually selecting programs for different environments. However, the key factor for this feature to work is a thorough fine tuning of all these programs by the audiologist using Real ear Measurements at the fitting appointment. Unfortunately, not many audiologists perform these measurements for all programs as it may be considered time consuming!

Binaural VoiceStream Technology in Bolero M allows for features like StereoZoom and Speech in Loud Noise programs which can improves speech understanding in background noise significantly.

Rechargeability is a great feature of Bolero M – The Bolero M-PR provides 24 hrs of battery life. This may drop to 16 hours of life 4 hours stream per day. What makes the new Bolero rechargeable easier to use is that they turn on immediately after removing them from the charger case which removes the need for user to switch the aids on or off.

The Bolero M has access to Several Different Apps including the followings: The myPhonak App – This provides access to a patient portal for Phonak eSolutions and contains a hearing diary, and access to Remote Support with the audiologist. The Remote App – This can control Program and volume changes, allow user to adjust the environmental balance when streaming, and provide battery readout for rechargeable models. The Tinnitus app – This allows user to control tinnitus – masking sounds if needed. The Call to Text feature can turn user’s smartphone into a captioned telephone so the user can read the conversations as s/he hears them.

Phonak has changed their First Fit algorithm, to decrease high frequency amplification, in order to increase first user’s acceptance by improving the sound quality to a new user. Although this may make amplification more natural to an individual with a hearing loss in the high-frequencies and be preferred by a new user at their fitting appointment, it may not help if speech clarity is a priority. It is, therefore, important that the fitting is optimised taking into account client’s needs and preferences.

Review by Dr Moh Dadafarin, Clinical Audiologist, Melbourne, Australia September 2020

Book an Appointment

How to Choose the Best Hearing Aid for You

The best hearing aid for you is the one that not only meets your unique hearing loss requirements but also suits your lifestyle, personal preferences and budget. Whether you want your hearing aids to be invisible or discreet, are looking for instruments that are easy to use or maintain, or those that have the maximum speech clarity, it all comes down to what’s best for YOU and your individual hearing needs. Therefore, deciding which hearing aid is most appropriate for you will be based on a variety of clinical and personal factors.

Phonak Audéo Marvel

by Ear and Hearing Australia | Nov 27, 2018

Phonak Audeo Marvel 90

Phonak Audeo Marvel 90 Hearing Aid review

Leading the innovation change is the new Phonak Audéo Marvel (Audeo M) hearing aids. These multifunctional hearing aids deliver excellent sound quality, are easy to use and provide a true sense of well-being. Unlike any other hearing aid, they connect directly to either your iOS or Android smartphone or other Bluetooth® enabled phones to stream any kind of audio.

You can enjoy true hands-free phone calls and stereo sound quality streaming for your music, videos, e-books, podcasts and so much more! With a simple plug and play solution, called Phonak TV Connector, you can also enjoy your favourite TV programs and movies. It’s just like using wireless headphones – except maybe even better. With Audeo M the microphones on the hearing aids can be used to send user’s voice to the caller. This means user can walk away from the phone and still have a clear conversation. The user can even answer, hang-up, or reject a phone call with the hearing aids themselves.

What makes Marvel hearing aids outstanding?

• Exceptional sound quality from the first fit
• Better speech understanding in noise
• Reduced listening effort in noise
• Connectivity to smartphones – iOS and Android, and a variety of everyday electronics
• Extra-long streaming time
• Top rated streamed sound quality combine excellent sound quality with direct connectivity, powerful rechargeable battery technology and smartphone apps – all in one. It’s no wonder that 95 out of 100 Hearing Care Professionals recommend an Audeo Marvel.

The New Phonak Audeo Marvel has an impressive range which includes Lithium Rechargeable, Lithium Rechargeable with Telecoil, size 312 battery with Telecoil, size 13 battery with Telecoil, and size 312 battery model.

My favourite feature in Marvel M is AutosenseOS 3.0. which an automatic program that adjust the hearing aid programming depending on the environment that the user is in. This feature makes Phonak hearing aids a good option for people who may have difficulties manually selecting programs for different environments. However, the key factor for this feature to work is a thorough fine tuning of all these programs by the audiologist using Real ear Measurements at the fitting appointment. Unfortunately not many audiologists perform these measurements for all programs as it may be considered time consuming!

Binaural VoiceStream Technology in Audeo M allows for features like StereoZoom and Speech in Loud Noise programs which can improves speech understanding in background noise significantly.

Rechargeability is a great feature of Audeo M – The Audeo MR Audeo M RT provides 24 hrs of battery life. This may drop to 16 hours of life 4 hours stream per day. What makes the new Audeo rechargeables easier to use is that they turn on immediately after removing them from the charger case which removes the need for user to swich the aids on or off.

The Audeo M has access to Several Different Apps including the followings: The myPhonak App – This provides access to a patient portal for Phonak eSolutions and contains a hearing diary, and access to Remote Support with the audiologist. The Remote App – This can control Program and volume changes, allow user to adjust the environmental balance when streaming, and provide battery readout for rechargeable models. The Tinnitus app – This allows user to control tinnitus – masking sounds if needed. The Call to Text feature can turn user’s smartphone into a captioned telephone so the user can read the conversations as s/he hears them.

Phonak has changed their First Fit algorithm, to decrease high frequency amplification, in order to increase first users acceptance by improving the sound quality to a new user. Although this may make amplification more natural to an individual with a hearing loss in the high-frequencies and be preferred by a new user at their fitting appointment, it may not help if speech clarity is a priority. It is, therefore, important that the fitting is optimised taking into account client’s needs and preferences.

One limitation of the Audeo M range is that they are not CROS compatible and, therefore, may not be a good option for people who have Single Sided Deafness who may benefit from CROS or BICROSS fittings.

By: Dr Moh Dadafarin, Clinical Audiologist, Melbourne, Australia.

Book an Appointment

How to Choose the Best Hearing Aid for You

The best hearing aid for you is the one that not only meets your unique hearing loss requirements but also suits your lifestyle, personal preferences and budget. Whether you want your hearing aids to be invisible or discreet, are looking for instruments that are easy to use or maintain, or those that have the maximum speech clarity, it all comes down to what’s best for YOU and your individual hearing needs. Therefore, deciding which hearing aid is most appropriate for you will be based on a variety of clinical and personal factors.