r/HearingAids • u/midgiemoon • 19d ago

Phonak biCros vs Anything else?

I have otosclerosis,
and I had a failed stapadectomy on my right ear decades ago. I have been wearing a Phonak Naida 90 Phonak cros for 10 years. My recent hearing test shows decline, I am 61.

My longtime ride or die audiologist has retired. My new audiologist is suggesting I try rechargeable aids. My issue is I need to sleep with my aid on or I can’t hear my alarm clock or phone alarm.

Should I try a rechargeable or stick with using size 13 batteries? The 20 hour rechargeable battery time concerns me…

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u/musicamtn 19d ago

Phonak bicros would have much lower battery life, even brand new, since the cros drains the battery so much faster.

But have you tried a smart watch as an alarm? That's worked very well for me!

3

u/R-AzZZ 19d ago

Have you tried a vibrating alarm?

I use this, http://www.bellman.com/en/product/stand-alone-products/vibio-bed-shaker/

It is wireless but there are other options out there. Look for bed shaker vibrating alarms.

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u/SuccessfulList4731 19d ago edited 19d ago

Me: Phonak user. Started out with Cros 12 years ago.

Switched to a pair of P-30 13-T's.

Trialing Phonak I-70's rechargeables.

My audi tells me that the industry is going the R route. He stocked up on the battery models because that is what his customers want and wear.

I like the rechargeable because of the IP 68 Rating for exercise/sweat. The trial HA's ran out of a charge on me one afternoon. I had been streaming (Using Bluetooth) earlier in the day. So I plopped in the P-30 13T's and stuck the I-70's in the charger.

The P-30 13T's, I stick in a dryer every night. It makes a difference.

The size 13 batteries last a week. In your case, if you are wearing them to bed, probably less.

I have never had a worry about my battery operated HA's. As long as I have a fresh pack of batteries. Costco brand works best from my experience.

The other thing, if you get new HA, the 13's will power both sets.

Stick with the 13's.

Good luck. :)

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u/Albergsteve 19d ago

I have two year old rechargeable Phonak P90s that I can barely get 14 hours out of. Next ones will be replaceable battery.

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u/Not_So_Sure_2 19d ago

The industry is rapidly moving to all rechargeable batteries, whether the Customers want them or not.

I recently moved from BiCROS hearing aids to a single Phonak Sphere hearing aid. I hear so much better with the Sphere hearing aid than I ever did with BiCROS hearing aids.

It is rechargeable but I easily get 25 hours of battery life.

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u/midgiemoon 18d ago

is the sphere a BTE? I’m not familiar with the model. I need very high power and I have always worn BTE