Review of the Phonak Icom Hearing Aid system (pls read Description!)

[DanielAvilaAGT]

You sound like Obama

[WhereDaBudAt95]

i found one of these inn my house but its only the square thing and the necklace thingyy?? about how much is that worth or wats needed?

[jwjustlookin]

Thanks for the review. I just got my Phonak Cassia micro P's with the iCom system, and I must say, it is amazing. I can listen to the music streaming from my phone now.

[ecpioneer]

Thank you. I need a hearing aid and this helps. I want a similar setup. You must be a Christian because you are helping people as Christ taught. God will honor you for it.

[Alyaptiva]

Thanks for recommending the Phonak hearing aids. I have had my Naida IX Ultra Powers for about 8 months now and I love them. I'm 53 and have worn hearing aids since I was 27. I'm still a few years from retirement so it's imperative that I have really good hearing aids and I have to say these are the best so far. And the ICOM...my God, what a blessing. I have the TVLink which is great. I can walk all over my house and not miss a word on TV. This thing really is life changing. Thanks..

[windsurf17]

(cont from prev comment) ... your icom will cut out. Same for phone ringing, or anything. I was hoping to have it set up to "mute microphones during music but not other sounds" but there is no option for that. My aids/icom setup were a half-and-half mix by default. When a text came, it would quiet the mic slightly as it beeped in my ear, but not totally. This mix/mic shutoff is done at your aid provider's office with their computer software.

[windsurf17]

The base sounds okay. It's definitely not going to match what you are used to with good buds or a stereo. I think you can get better clarity, if not fidelity, by adjusting the aids so that nearly all sound is cut off to the microphones when it is active. I tried this, though, and I warn you that every alert (like when the batteries are going dead) and manual switch to a different program, will kill sound to your aids. For instance, say you are talking to someone and your text msg beeps... (cont)

[racsop70]

@windsurf17 how does the base sound? I guess it depends on the HA. I just got the icom with the Audeo Smart IX and I'm a little dissapoonted on the sound quality. I guess I'm used to the iPod ear buds which have a great sound. I'm wondering if the base is something the Audi can adjust. Works great for the phone. Thanks again for the review.

[windsurf17]

The iCom must be worn around the neck, though I never tried not wearing it, so maybe that's just their "best practice." Apparently the wire that goes around the neck is part of the antennae or system or whatever, and the iCom itself must be between your ears. Again, I never tried it though.

[racsop70]

@windsurf17

Does the icom have to be worn around the neck? In other words, when I'm sitting down at my work desk, can I place it near me and still have the Bluetooth function with my desk or cell phone?

[windsurf17]

Yes, my model is micro-usb

[skier124]

Is it mirco usb

[bpolot]

My iCom is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. I was thus dismayed when the neck wire broke, rendering it useless. The wire is definitely the weak part of the hardware. Glad to say Phonak replaced the iCom for free. I treat my new one oh so carefully, yet the wire started failing within a few weeks. For six months now it appears to be hanging on by a thread.

[windsurf17]

You can set up the iCom to make everything around you quieter when it is in use -- this makes sense except that whenever the iCom alerts you about something it will cut the sound around you. Take this example:

Say I have my iPhone and the iCom paired and I get a text message, which plays a sound, and the iCom cuts out the hearing aids. This can be *very* distracting and if it happens during a conversation, you probably will miss what was said.

[TheLogick]

Thanks for this video review. Im thinking of getting this to play music as when I have my headphones in obviously my hearing aids are out so when someone is talking to me I cant hear them. Does the Icom mute the hearing aids and take a while to switch back on. 

[HoHOboeGal]

Thanks so much for your detailed review. Because of your post, I decided to try the icom. You are right...it is nothing short of life-changing. I carry on a lot of business on the phone while driving, and the icom is so much better than the induction loop headphones I had before. Thanks again for your information.

[cjtorline]

I have trouble with the volume not being loud enough on the iCom - phone volume is all the way up and i still cant hear most of the time although the beeps are VERY loud...any thoughts? I love the concept and use - i think i just need to get fine tuned better?

[ajaST1100]

Many thanks for a great review - it has been very helpfull!

[paednoch]

Your hearing has to have been bad since early childhood. Your speech is affected.

[dcsouthwickjr]

Great video - thank you - you hit so many of my issues right on the head.

[colpat7]

I'm 76 widower. I use iCom with my iPhone 3g. People see me dining alone, talking to my great grand daughter who is in Japan using Skype (internet phone). They often remark "see that little old man who has an imaginary friend or is talking to himself. But it makes a good pickup line. "Want call me and talk to me on my hearing aids?' If she does I have her phone number!

[windsurf17]

@colpat7 Awesome icebreaker line!

[totrav1]

For another good one (with closed caption),

type in prestonchao in the search box and it's the first video on the result list

[goofus52]

I've recently gotten an iCom and it works great for hearing what's coming across the phone, but everyone tells me from the other end of the phone, my voice sounds loud and crackly and screechy. Anyone have that problem?

[funnydrawer]

i have icom its good

[kd1s]

That's the thing that irks me. The Bluetooth hardware is the same throughout every device. But the stack necessary, well it differs greatly between phones, music players, etc. and it annoys the crap out of me.

[kd1s]

$6,000 for hearing aids? That's insane. I'll just engineer my own for that kind of money.

[kruegdude]

@kd1s Make 'em and I'll buy a set. The 100% markup and the fact that I can't find a competitive alternative to their icom drives me nuts, knowing that it's simple cheap electronics that's the basis for their product.

[edgarrett]

I recently changed to a Phonak Audeo BTE which came with the iCom device. I agree that it transforms cell phone conversations - much clearer than holding phone to my ear.

Sometimes I wonder if the iCom is causing the hearing aid to suppress ambient noise when I'm NOT on the phone. Ever experience that?

[kookieduck61]

Wow! I'm hoping to get aids at the first of the year and even though I can't afford these particular aids, I hope I can some that allow me to use my cell phone/MP3 player like that! Thanks for posting!!

[pjsquilter]

I just ordered an Icom today. I've worn hearing aids since I was 7 years old, I'm now 58, and recently got the Naidas in January. I'm excited about being able to get an iPod, and also use the Bluetooth technology on my cell phone. Thank you windsurf17 for the video, it answered several of my questions.

[waggytalk]

i just got a set of Phonak centra BTE aids. I been trying to find some information on the Icom.

that sounds amazing. i would love something like this for the few times i use the phone and use my music.

[men28yoo]

i ideas maybe hearing aid with cable to music and original bluetooth with 3.5mm and work to the hearing aid. :):):):D:D:D, and i have cable with hearing aid :) and work the music :)

[windsurf17]

@TheSynthFreq: sounds like the Naida is even better than my system. I think mine were retrofitted as I had Savia Arts and had the Icom stuff added to it (I *think* that's how it was done). I've had trouble with TV, though I have a device that broadcasts bluetooth. I think it's more of a TV problem, but I can't really be sure. Works great with phone, music, computer, etc.

[TheSynthFreq]

Great video.

I recently got my Phonak Naida hearing aids and the Icom. They are AMAZING! The Icom works very well with the phone and tv and music. I like how the icom can pause/resume streaming audio too.

The Icom and Phonak Naida ultrapower hearing are the best IMO.

[pskelly2006]

I'm venturing into Audiology and this review is inspiring. Great job man, glad it could work out for you.

[windsurf17]

It has to be worn around your neck (between the aids) to broadcast properly. Also, it has the microphone that you talk into.

[thomaskimura]

do have to wear that necklace around your neck. couldn't you just put all that technology in your pocket along with your ipod

[chrillerkiller]

Very good review windsurfer!

[rzot]

I am currently trying out a set of Phonak Audeo III hearing aids. This is my first behind the ear (BTE) aids and I'm finding them difficult to use with telephones. If I end up going with these aids I will definately need something like the Icom. Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts.

[windsurf17]

The one we had stuck at a fair low level and I couldn't hear it unless the TV speakers were on mute. There must be an out on my TV that will increase independent of the volume on the TV.

Having said that, I so rarely watch TV and am so used to closed captioning, that I haven't taken the time to do it. For me the iCom is far more valuable as a set of headphones for computer/iPod and a device to use for talking on my mobile phone (I don't have a home phone).

[windsurf17]

For the TV, I've tried the Voiss system. I connected it to the back of my TV via two RCA cables. It goes to a small bluetooth device.

The setup was pretty easy -- one drawback is there is not screen to tell what is going on, but they pair quickly.

I had trouble with volume level. We have a 2 year old TV with so many settings I need to get back there and figure which audio out is best.

[windsurf17]

After using my iCom for a longer period of time, I'll say this: you will eat through hearing aid batteries. Sometimes I'll go through 2 in three days (each aid). That can be frustrating, not to mention expensive. Just FYI. Without the iCom system each battery lasts 7-10 days.

The iCom has an internal battery you charge at night.

My phone battery doesn't seem to be bothered by having the Bluetooth active.

[JumelleMusic]

I've used hearing aids for about 9 years and just came home today after a bad audiology visit. I lost 10db in my left ear making 95bd loss and 15 db making it 90 db loss in my left ear. They are talking about ordering me new Phonak hearing aids and a iCom FM since I still have my old FM from Comtek. Both companies are great but def. need some new hearing aids. Your video was the first one I watched on the iCom. Can't wait to get mine. I am a composer so I hope it works well in the studio.

Thanks

[thechandler81]

Nice review - thanks for sharing!

[EarmarkAudiology]

The assistive devices are where things are headed with hearing aids. The next generation will not requre cables etc.

[johnnyfree333]

Good info! Cool that you have taken the time to share what you have learned.

[windsurf17]

I have a pair of Seimen aids, too. I use them when I go out and get sweaty, as they seem to be a little less sensitive to moisture. I don't actually know that for a fact, but I'm more willing to have them go back to the shop for repairs if needed, because the Phonak's are better quality and I want to use them when I'm working or talking to people.

[309893]

Have you only ever worn Phonak hearing aids, and if not, who else has made them?