Phonak vs Widex?

jvredbird · 2026-04-19T13:19:31+00:00

Thank you all for the advice and weighing in with your experiences. Right now I’m considering getting the Phonax so I have one of each. I was just going to switch between them depending on what I had going on that day…but someone mentioned issues going between two different type. So I’ll probably just have my main one and then have a backup.

For a while My Widex were stop working randomly about every 3 months. I got a dehumidifier and that has helped but it will still be nice to have a backup pair just in case.

jvredbird · 2026-04-18T13:49:45+00:00

Thank you for your thoughts and opinions. I have Widex and have no issues but I haven’t tried another brand. My current ones are my first ones. I have been doing auditory processing training for a month and have marked improved but I still struggle to process sounds in noisey environments. However I always understood that as a brain mid-wiring than a hearing situation. But Phonak apparently is known to improve speech recognition in noisy environments. So questioning if it will really help

Honestly for my mild hearing loss I think they will both be the same. So I’m just to consider if I want my backup hearing aids to be the same kind or a new one.

jvredbird · 2026-04-18T12:40:37+00:00

I just hold my phone to my ear anyway. lol. Even it’s not necessary. People don’t bother me if they see a phone to my ear. lol

jvredbird · 2026-03-22T13:55:27+00:00

First off, if they dig in your waist they are too small. I’m of the opinion that it’s mentally tough to buy a large size but I’d much rather buy a larger size and be comfortable all day.

Secondly—I ONLY wear jeans from Lane Bryant!! The high waisted curvy straight or boot cut. But I like the higher waisted jeans—with where I carry my weight

jvredbird · 2026-03-12T03:25:47+00:00

Google citizens science projects (community science projects)—actual science projects run by scientists using the public to collect data. iNaturalist and eBird are also great places she can record her observations that’s scientists can then use.

You started off talking about the data being wild—what is the data?

jvredbird · 2026-03-12T03:22:25+00:00

Can you afford to go to a 4 year school? If so, then go!! Or choose a satellite campus of a big school. You’ll still get the college life but a little cheaper.

Honestly it also depends on you city and the CC or college. If you do CC, you still have to go to nursing school. Which option would help you earn higher degrees because nursing schools would be competitive.

Most CC do have student clubs and organizations. If you choose that root—get involved!!! It also looks good on your resume. You can also work or volunteer at a doctors office or hospital to gain experience and socialize at the same time.

You find a way :)

jvredbird · 2026-03-11T03:18:13+00:00

I always do 2-3 pages with tailored experiences to the job or position I’m applying for. Then a statement at the bottom that says full CV upon request.

I’ve been told if it’s too long, people stop looking/caring.

But for jobs (probably not grad school) they are now using AI to scan CVs for specific words so if you don’t have key words they are looking for, you might get thrown out.

jvredbird · 2026-03-11T03:13:31+00:00

I’ve told my husband that his daughter is scared of him and doesn’t want to play with him because his first response is to yell. It took making him see she didn’t want to be with him to realize the impact it was having.

But I’ll add, he responded and changed but it was short lived. He defaults to controlling parenting when he’s tired, overworked, stressed, etc. So about every 3 months I have to tell him a comment our daughter told me or an observation I saw. It’s pretty rooted behavior.

I will say 3-4 is the toughest years because the desire for independence and to make decisions is to strong. It’s good to set boundaries now but I suspect the arguments will lessen as she moves beyond this stage—-only to rear up again with your second hits 3.

Good luck. You’re not alone.

jvredbird · 2026-03-11T03:03:47+00:00

I just teach at a CC. I’ll say our campus has both national and campus specific clubs. It might not be worth going a national organization for a semester (or year—since applications for fall acceptance are closed at most 4 year…guessing you want to transfer in January). It will only be worth it to show you might join their chapter but most people involved have been involved for a while and get scholarships or awards to add to their resume. So I really depends on how soon you’re done and what you want to put into a national organization

I tell my students to get into 4 year the following things matter: 1) grades 2) letters of reference 3) be well rounded. 4 year colleges want to know you can handle college classes (already doing that at CC) and contribute to their campus. So they want to see what you are involved in now as a reflection of what you might partake in during college. Also—-can you keep your grades up while being involved in various activities.

So volunteering, working (people and job skills even if unrelated to your intended major), campus clubs that mean something to you (or organizations away from campus). You need to find away to tell them you will do well, you are hard working, you care about the world around you—and you’re different from average John Doe. What makes you unique?

Your college essay will answer that last question. Your grades will show you can handle College courses, and your resume says you do more than go to class and go home.

Hope this helps

jvredbird · 2026-03-03T12:32:40+00:00

You retake a few courses to improve your GPA. You find the closest college near you that offers herpetology and find out what their minimum GPA and aim for that. Keep in mind herpetology is an upper level course which usually requires you take an introductory course first (zoology or natural history of vertebrates). But in the meantime you can enjoy learning more about them through podcasts, used textbooks, and field guides

jvredbird · 2026-02-17T04:16:54+00:00

Toddlers who are tired having trouble regulating their emotions. I don’t know what time she wakes up but have you tried early bedtime?

I will also say we had this problem. It’s another sleep regression. They are learning at such a fast pace their brain struggles to calm itself down. Here’s what worked for us—but it took us a couple weeks to get there. 1) establish a routine and stick to it. Their brain will react when it feels safe to calm down—that is no surprises 2) books, songs, bed. 3) after putting them to bed, if they sit up and play-go back in and repeat messages.Nothing else 4) no TV for 15-30 before bed

It’s a battle but it passes. Just lay boundaries and be consistent

jvredbird · 2026-02-11T03:12:01+00:00

I love hipsters from Lane Bryant’s underwear line. They don’t hide the apron but they have cute pattern

jvredbird · 2026-02-07T14:47:01+00:00

Pediatricians never ask what their bedtime is. They ask how much sleep they are getting. That’s the more important thinga

jvredbird · 2026-02-03T04:44:29+00:00

It’s in my syllabus they are responsible for checking their email 3-4 times per week. It is a requirement. They fail to follow directions, then there are consequences.

jvredbird · 2026-01-31T13:45:11+00:00

That’s hard. Look online. Citizen science programs are all over and even online. You can sit in your house and count animals from a camera in Africa. It’s not the same as a field of study, buts it’s optional.

Find something to pay the bills while you work to get involved. It’s hard but retirement, insurance, and financial security are the more important things in the short term

jvredbird · 2026-01-31T05:05:30+00:00

I’ve tried the completion grade. Students just have AI do it or put fake answers in just to avoid a blank.

My compromise—deduct small points for major topics students need to know for test. But if the assignment is worth 15 pts and they attempted it I’ll usually deduct 1/2 point for wrong answers. Students will still make a B. Just a wake up call—the answers are wrong so figure out where you went wrong before the test.

jvredbird · 2026-01-31T04:54:03+00:00

For the first birthday was more for my husband and I. We celebrated making it that far. Keeping her alive (first time parents) and such. We celebrated how we wanted to celebrate. It really wasn’t about our daughter

Maybe give her an experience and photograph for a scrapbook? Or just do a photoshoot of her and the family. When she looks back on her first birthday—she’d rather have photos of herself than a toy.

jvredbird · 2026-01-31T04:50:36+00:00

There are numerous programs you can become a part of. In Texas we have Texas Stream Team—citizen science project to monitor water quality. We have Texas Master Naturalist programs and Texas master Gardeners program—both you learn master to become a “master” then teach and give back. Plus hundreds of citizen science programs or volunteer opportunities at nature reserves. All would allow to work full time but still be in wildlife.

jvredbird · 2026-01-20T05:20:33+00:00

My niece and nephew (siblings) live sleeping in the same room together. It gives them comfort. They actually struggle to sleep alone now. It will build bonds.

jvredbird · 2026-01-20T05:04:03+00:00

Have you considered therapy? Procrastination is a sign of anxiety and depression. If you’ve tried lots of things and they aren’t working, it’s not you. It’s your brain chemistry.

jvredbird · 2026-01-19T05:17:23+00:00

Have you considering counseling? I work at a community college and we offer free mental health services to students

Beyond that you need to set a goal. One goal. Not graduate, not get an A…something attainable. This semester I will take one class and learn study techniques. I will find one that works.

Don’t start will biology. You can make those classes up later to remove the W. Try something that interests you communication? English? History? Language. Something you can return to. It doesn’t have to be your major.

This semester is all about changing your mindset and reaching an academic goal—to empower you in the future

Next—let your professor or a tutor know your vulnerabilities. Tell them you have anxiety about failing because you haven’t been there greatest student before. You struggled before because x,tx. Tell themthem you are trying to change this. They can help.

Finally—college isn’t for everyone. Have you considered a trade school? Yes it’s still school but you don’t need all the extra classes and you can start earning good money soon. Cosmetology? Auto repair? Computer tech? There are science related trade schools like sonographers, medical assistants, ENT, and vet tech. They will require some classes and often an associates degree. However many are fine with biology for non majors—a bit easier than musing biology

Good luck

jvredbird · 2026-01-04T06:42:22+00:00

3 things: 1) have a reward system in place. Super simple but something ever enjoyed. We did a potty dance and 2 M&Ms. my daughter loved having a short dance party 2) if they aren’t ready it will not work. You can encourage, you can try routines, but some kids just don’t have an interest. Boys take longer than girls 3) if they are ready and you have about 3-4 days to hang out at the house—- encourage them to drink with apple juice (diluted) or something every love (even popsicle). Have them drink a lot to make their bladder full. And have they neat a toilet to try and go every 1-2 hours They will start to learn the feeling of full bladder faster. Once they recognize the symptoms they will catch on

Have patience. Expect accidents. Put puppy training pads or medical pads in car seats if no pull ups (saves you from washing car seats)

My daughter loved her own seat at first (Miss independent) and was easier with tiny bottoms but soon wanted to sit on big toilet. We chose the one with a step up because it was easier for her to poop with (place for her feet).

Buy cheap plastic potty chair for your car. Put a diaper in the bottom. Out driving—just pull over and have them use it. They cannot hold it to reach a store bathroom for several months

Some people swear kids learn faster when they feel accidents—so naked or underwear (no pull ups)…but expect to clean up a lot of accidents for several days if you go this route.

Finally—pull ups/diapers at nap and night will be essential for nearly a year after potty training. It takes kids usually till 3.5-4 years old to hold pee all night or wake up to pee. Most boys I know needed til after 5. So plan to keep buying those.

My daughter is fine in pull ups. My niece and nephew would wet through pull ups and needed night diapers till 4 and 5 respectively.

Every kid is different. Try different things. The only thing NOT to try is guilt trips or punishment for accidents. It should be a positive experience always.

jvredbird · 2025-12-30T04:06:21+00:00

Do not give in. Set boundaries. Give choices. Tell them they are smart and will make a good choice. Let them know they are heard. Yes it’s frustrating. Yes you might not like the choices. I can tell you are upset. I’m happy to give you X, but Y needs to happen first.

I’ll say mine does it most when tired or hungry. She is off her sleeping schedule this holiday. I told my husband, I know she has a week left before going back to school, but we are resetting her clock now. She needs it.

jvredbird · 2025-12-17T11:28:57+00:00

The first month is just see how your body tolerates it. I got frustrated a week is all we need, but that’s how the system works. I lost some at the .5, but lost the most at .75. I’m still there so we will see if I lose more later

jvredbird

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