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BICROS with bluetooth anyone?

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stephenwilkus:
I had my 35mm diameter Vestibular Schwannoma tumor removed March 27, 2017 at NYU Langone Medical Center in Manhattan. I can strongly recommend the team of Drs Roland and Golfinos there.   I've facial palsy in my left side, as expected and just saw my neurological PT for my first time last week.  I am hopeful that all will be well in a few more months.

Next week I'll be fitted for a BiCROS hearing aid to bring the sounds from my left side over to the right ear, my audiologist seems to only recommend the WideX brand hearing aids, and it seemed OK with the demo unit last week. But I  worry that paying the $3,945 price is not doing my part for affordable care. (or am I subsidizing those on insurance plans that negotiate better deals?)

Also, I've seen conventional hearing aids with impressive Bluetooth connectivity to phones, cars, computers and TVs that look very appealing, and can even be reprogrammed somewhat through iPhone apps. But I don't see any BiCROS (or CROS) hearing aids with that capability.  I can imagine that the development of a hearing aid line with two Bluetooth connections (one between ears and another between the good ear and a smart phone) is not as high a priority as a single link hearing aid. Such a hearing aid might also have a battery life problem as it supports two radio links, at least on occasion. 

Even so, I wonder if any of you readers have heard of such a hearing aid?  Or do you know of any in development, so that if I just wait a few more months I can expect it later?


Thank you in advance for your insights,
Steve

EricC:
I opted for an Oticon Ponto.  Its a bone anchored system.  The nice thing about bone anchored devices is they are usually covered by insurance (its a hearing prosthetic not an aid).  So with surgery, my total cost will come to $2000 (my out of pocket max).  Every 5yrs or so I'll be eligible for an upgrade at 15% of the cost (around $4000 for the device) so thats about $600 to get an upgrade.  Its totally bluetooth compatable and you get to be a cyborg. 

You should test it out.  You don't have to have your ears plugged with the aid.  THe one downside is a bolt screwed in you head.  It took me out of work for 3 days :). 

SET WE300B:
Hi Steve,

I am wearing the Phonak Cros II and have the Bluetooth connectivity device: COMPILOT. It is a pendent that hangs off the neck with a lanyard. It doesn't have the best sound quality but it works OK. I could live without it but it has come in handy a few times. Kind of pricey. Used with an IPhone 6.

Roger

gunns:
Phonak has a new unit.  It's the "Phonak Audeo B-Direct".  It connects directly to iPhone, Androids and several other non smart "dumb" phones.  It pairs directly to the phone without the intermediate device on a lanyard.  Also connects to your other smart devices (iPad TV etc,) even has a doorbell option.  It's just come out so you may have to search for it.  See link below.


https://www.phonak.com/us/en/about-us/direct-connectivity.html

joshstru:
Can you tell me what the other side hearing aid it that connects to the Phonak Audeo B-Direct?  Looks like a good option. I would like to pair with an in the canal on the deaf side if that is available.  Thank you.

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