Does Phonak Target 50 Support Phonak Elexia Art M Hearing Aides

Updated July 26, 2019
Published July 20, 2019

More than a few readers have contacted the states since we broke the story most the new Costco Kirkland ix.0 hearing aids. They wanted a clear comparison of the devices then that they could brand educated decisions on buying. I have said it already in the commodity "Costco Launches New Kirkland 9.0 Hearing Aids", these are outstanding hearing aids just they aren't quite a Phonak Curiosity 90. At $1499.99 you are getting a lot of hearing aid, so why would you spend extra coin for a Phonak Marvel? Let's talk about what we know and what the Marvel offers over and above the new Sonova manufactured Kirkland Signature 9s.

The Aids

If we accept a await at the aids themselves first, there are obvious differences between the 9 and a similar ninety. While the push push button is different, information technology doesn't hateful much to the functionality. However, the Mic ports practice, Phonak take spent a lot of time and research on the design and placement of their mic ports. Their new mic port blueprint actually cuts downward current of air racket physically by 5dB. Doesn't sound like a lot, only because the decibel scale is logarithmic, it actually is. So that ways the Curiosity 90 will be ameliorate in the outdoors.

The Marvel ninety 312-T too offers a telecoil, while the Kirkland 9.0 doesn't. The telecoil might be old technology, simply believe me, when I say, it is still as valid today for hearing aid users as information technology was when it was first invented. You can read more about the systems in the article "Are Telecoils in Hearing Aids Obsolete?". The unproblematic version is no, they aren't and they are merely growing in importance in the USA as entrance hall groups ensure more and more of them are fitted.

Update June 2020: Information technology appears that the KS 9 now has a telecoil option. The KS ix.0 T is at present available and costs no more than than the device without the telecoil. Go for the telecoil, yous volition give thanks me later.

Choice

The Kirkland Signature 9.0 is offered in one configuration, a 312 powered hearing aid. The Marvel range is already available in four hearing aid types and volition eventually exist available in multiple configurations across RIC, BTE and custom devices. Simply put, the Marvel offers much deeper option. Again, the toll of the Kirkland 9 still sings out if you are happy to just wear what you become.

Features

Let's get down to the nitty-gritty, the internal features that make a difference. While information technology is difficult to compare the features, mainly because we actually don't know exactly what the features are in the KS 9s. Initially, we were told that the Kirkland devices do not have the proprietary Phonak BVST (Binaural VoiceStream Technology) features. However, it appears we may have been misinformed.

BVST

Phonak has become quite famous for its BVST features; they employ real-time Binaural Voice Streaming to deliver real benefits in dissimilar types of sound situations. Binaural VoiceStream Technology allows their hearing aids to have a total sound bandwidth signal from one side and stream it to the other side. BVST is used in programs like speech in loud noise, speech in 360, and speech in wind.

In essence, the engineering science ensures that both of your hearing aids are delivering the best point possible to your ears to sympathise what is beingness said in difficult situations. Update July 26th 2019: A Costco hearing intendance professional has called this into question, she says that the Kirkland Signature 9 does, in fact, take the BVST feature. We tried clarify this as we were told that BVST is a Phonak proprietary characteristic and it is non used on whatsoever other brand than Phonak. It appears though that the data is wrong and the Kirkland KS 9 does in fact use BVST.

RogerDirect

The Roger arrangement from Phonak is recognised as the gold standard for far-field assistance. Permit me explicate, hearing aids handle about field communication, that'due south the power to communicate within about three anxiety. Anything across that is really far-field. Fifty-fifty very circuitous near-field situations, for instance, an blithe conversation around a eatery table by several people, can be difficult and the Roger organisation excels there as well.

The Roger system is fabricated upward of remote transmitters that tin can be used in different situations to allow you the all-time possible understanding of speech. With Marvel, Phonak volition shortly upgrade the Marvel devices to let Curiosity users to connect directly to Roger technology. That means that they volition be able to use Roger devices without any actress FM receiver or intermediary device. Update June 2020: We were originally told that only Marvel hearing aids will have this ability, the Kirkland 9.0 won't have access to RogerDirect. However, with the firmware upgrade nosotros are hearing virtually, this may have changed. We are trying to get an answer to that and will go back to you on information technology.

Curiosity Upgrade

Update June 2020: Phonak delivered a new firmware upgrade for Marvel devices which additional functionality and connectivity. It was a part of a wider expansion of accessory devices that Phonak introduced. Originally, it was thought that Curiosity devices including devices already sold, would become the upgrade, just the Kirklands would not. Withal, according to recent chatter on the hearing help forums, the Kirklands accept got a firmware upgrade that appears very like Curiosity 2.0.

Apps For That

Updated June 2020: While the Curiosity and the Kirkland nine originally had similar remote apps, both pretty simplistic to be honest. The Curiosity had access to a host of apps that the KS ix didn't, including the MyPhonak app for remote fine-tuning and the astonishing live phone call transcription app. Phonak provided a newly updated app in 2019 that offered more ability over the hearing aids and integrated meliorate functionality in one simple app.

The app could only be used past Marvel two.0 devices and so once more, the KS 9s would have no access to these rather splendid apps. However, it seems that Kirkland hearing aids with the new firmware upgrade can actually admission the new myPhonak app co-ordinate to some users:

"Following up - I got the firmware update. I now tin connect to both of my jail cell phones but non at the same time. The old app no longer works and then I now utilize the MyPhonak app. This app allows for more options to control the HAs. I had to re-pair to my Telly connector just that only takes seconds."

That means that Kirkland users now have a whole load more power over the hearing aids. I am surprised that at that place is no Easyline app upgrade for the Kirkland devices, but perchance there is ane coming forth?

No Remote Assistance

The Marvel devices have total access to remote assist, which ways that you don't even need to attend your clinic to accept changes fabricated. The Kirkland 9s don't. Again, with the new firmware upgrade to the KS 9s, there is no reason why the Kirkland would non have remote admission, that doesn't hateful Costco volition introduce it though.

No Tinnitus Features

The Marvel offers access to Phonak Tinnitus therapy features, the KS 9 doesn't. Having said that, it may not be equally large a deal as it sounds. Let me explain, if you connect a Smartphone to your KS 9s, you can merely download an app such equally the first-class Resound tinnitus focused app. Then you tin set upwards your ain sound therapy sessions and sounds and merely stream them to your KS 9s.

I stand by what I said in 2019, while the KS ix is non quite a Marvel xc. Having said that, I don't want y'all to retrieve for a minute that the KS 9 is an junior aid. With the option of a telecoil now available and the introduction of the firmware upgrade, the KS 9 is a damn fine hearing assist at an astonishing toll.

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Source: https://www.hearingaidknow.com/costco-kirkland-9-vs-phonak-marvel-90

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