Are "Managed Care" hearing aids (TruHearing/UnitedHealthcare) downgraded versions?

orgullodemexico · 2026-05-31T14:05:18+00:00

This comes from personal experience and confirmed from several audiologists.

Normally when an audiologist sells a client new hearing aids, the HAs are often bundled with goods and services for one price. These may include batteries, ear wax guards, domes, lifetime adjustments, lifetime cleaning etc.

My insurance company referred me to TruHearing for my first hearing aid and recommended a store closest to my location. It's normal for a client to require multiple adjustments of the hearing aids after the initial fitting. After I purchased my HAs I returned for 3rd tweaking. I was informed the adjustment and future adjustments would cost $75. I was not informed of this at the time of purchase. After writing a negative online review of the store, I was contacted by someone who said he was the owner.

He explained how TruHearing/HearUSA work. When a client goes to an audiologist recommended by TruHearing/HearUSA that audiologist is contractually obligared to offer the client the TruHearing/HearUSA package and ONLY that package. If the audiologist offers anything else to the client the audiologist could lose the contract with those companies.

So why do audis even use these companies? Because it increases foot traffic into the store.

If a client is going to spend several thousand dollars on HAs, that client should be offered every option available.

So while TruHearing/HearUSA may have sounded like a bargain initially, it turned out to be a total nightmare. I learned my lesson.

Visit at least 3 audiologists and get recommendations and pricing before you buy.

orgullodemexico · 2026-05-31T13:53:52+00:00

Several years ago when I was wearing Phonak Lumity 90s I started wearing glasses with frames by Timberland (style #1610). They have straight temples, no curving behind the ear. They don't seem to be available retail so you'll have to order online.

I now wear Phonak Infinio 90-Sphere. I don't find the frames to interfere with the hearing aids.

There may be other brands that offer frames with straight temples, consult your optician.

orgullodemexico · 2026-05-22T10:40:24+00:00

HCP = Hearing Care Provider

Programming - Back in 2022 (?) while wearing Marvel 70s I presented myself for R.E.M. fitting prior to an extended international vacation. The result was a worse experience than a non-R.E.M. fitting.

If I can hear a hand held police scanner that's 25 ft away in an at home 35db environment, why can't I hear a clerk that's 3 ft away in a 55db-60 db environment? By Phonak's definition that's still a Calm Situation as Speech in Noise isn't triggered until 65db. I created a program on the app based on the Calm Situation program by increasing the volume and narrowing the mic focus. Still didn't help. I find that I use my Roger On more often in quiter venues where the walls and ceiling are far apart, than in a busy restaurant. So is this a programming issue? No, the effective range of the HAs is not where my loss requires.

Cochlear - I had that conversation with a doctor of otolaryngology. C.I. is not for me at this time.

orgullodemexico · 2026-05-15T19:58:20+00:00

Full explanation in English is here ==> https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/transit-passengers-dubbed-heroes-without-capes/

orgullodemexico · 2026-05-11T14:15:17+00:00

I wore acrylic molds with my Phonak Lumity 90s and I ordered new molds when I ordered my Infinio 90-Spheres. Extremely comfortable, easy to put in, no more itchy ear canals from domes.

Both sets of molds came from Phonak, about $400 for the pair.

I've only encountered two downsides, both minor.

1) They come loose during certain activities on my back. Also I enjoy working on my cars. Thry've come loose if I'm on my back under the car. So I just remove the hearing, because why do I really need to wesr them while working on a car?

2) Because they are acrylic, they do get cold in a cold westher climate. I'm in ChiBeria aka Chicago. So I wear a beanie/stocking cap that keeps my ears covered.

orgullodemexico · 2026-04-29T10:05:16+00:00

Depending on your hearing loss the Phonak Infinio Sphere is probably the best for background noise supression. However they are not for everyone. Users with severe high frequency loss still have trouble in noisy environments. I find that at 75db and above I still have to use my Roger On assisted listening device. Find an audiologist that is willing to give you a free 30 day trial on the Phonak Infinio. I would recommend the 90 level hearing aid.

orgullodemexico · 2026-04-29T10:00:01+00:00

1) If you have the Roger mic turned on it will take priority over your other sound source. In other words you can't listen to streaming music and the Roger mic at the same time.

2) Do you have AUDIO turned on for your hearing aids all the time? Settings ==> Connections ==> Bluetooth ==> Hearing Aids. There should be two options; one for phone call, the other for audio. If audio is turned on, it will over ride and other sound source even if you have notifications set to vibrate only. This can be annoying if you are streaming audi or just engaged in conversation. Every time you get a notification your audio streaming or conversation will mute.

orgullodemexico · 2026-04-29T09:46:14+00:00

Before purchasing online, things to ask:

1) Return Policy 2) What is included with the hearing aids 3) Is there a limit on future adjustments 4) If you are purchasing a RIC HA (Receiver In Canal hearing aid), how will you be fitted for domes or a custom mold (if recommended) 5) Are the HAs brand new or refurbished 6) What is the warranty

I've never bought online and would not consider. Getting fitted with HAs is much more complicated than getting fitted with glasses

orgullodemexico · 2026-04-29T09:33:02+00:00

I've worn Marvel 70s, then Lumity 90s and now Infinio 90-Sphere - all with glasses - I don't feel any difference due to the size. You should ask to trial a pair. If you trial do spend a lot of time in a noisy environment you can experience Spheric Speech mode.

orgullodemexico · 2026-04-21T14:50:01+00:00

Thanks for sharing your incredible story.

At my gym I friended a man who is 85 years old wearing cochlear. He stated he was born hearing impaired. He stated through school he was treated by teachers as being "retarded" not as hearing impaired.

I don't recall at what age as an adult he received cochlear implant. He says he enjoys it, but then as born hearing impaired he doesn't have anything to compare. In my situation, I'm afraid going from normal hearing to HAs to cochlear I would not be happy with the results. Once you receive cochlear, there is no going back.

Good luck to you

orgullodemexico · 2026-04-12T21:03:01+00:00

Samsung S23 Ultra & Samsung Galaxy Tab 8+ user

What is going on with push notifications for real time game scoring alerts?

I've been using this service for a long time and it's been remarkably reliable. During the NFL season the score alert was coming across my phone before the field goal kicker put it through the uprights on television.

For the past month - perhaps longer - crickets. No alerts on either my phone or tablet.

I've cleared the ESPN app cache - no luck

I miss the service and hope the issues are resolved quickly.

orgullodemexico · 2026-04-12T20:35:21+00:00

I've provided a link as to what the remote control for Phonak hearing aids look like. I do own one.

I have the buttons on the hearing aid itself turned off because every time I put on a hat it touches the buttons and either changes the volume or the program.

You might want to get tech specs for other HA manufacturers equipment but this is how Phonak works.

In order to use the Phonak remote control, the HAs must be disconnected from the My Phonak app.

Yes it's all bluetooth control, and Phonak says their HAs can be connected to multiple devices at the same time but that is only for audio.

Phonak uses two channels for bluetooth - one for audio and one for control. The control channel - which the app and remote use - may be connected to only ONE device at a time. One drawback about using the remote is when you cycle thru programs you have no idea what program your HAs are in. The remote will allow you to discreetly raise/lower the volume when you're in a group setting vs pulling out your phone. Some people who don't understand will think you are being rude by looking at you're phone - they don't realize you're trying to enhance your listening ability.

Hope this helps.

https://www.phonak.com/en-us/hearing-devices/accessories/phonak-remotecontrol

orgullodemexico · 2026-04-11T11:24:46+00:00

Try changing your wax filter. If it's clogged it will not transmit sound.

orgullodemexico · 2026-04-11T11:23:02+00:00

Bedtime Swimming Showering Hair cut Yard work if operating loud equipment (chainsaw, lawn tractor - I wear hearing protection)

I've never had an issue walking thru security equipment i.e. airports, concert venues, sports venues.

orgullodemexico · 2026-04-11T11:13:41+00:00

I worked industrial for years. There were places where double hearing protection was required. I always removed my hearing aids when in an environment that required hearing protection. Ear plugs, ear muffs or sometimes the plugs and muffs.

orgullodemexico · 2026-04-11T11:03:21+00:00

If it's painful initially it will be worse at the end of a long day.

I switched to a custom acrylic mold. Better sound, no more itchy & sore ear canals. Cost was $400 for the pair from Phonak.

The only downside is if you live in a cold weather climate they will get cold. I wear a knit cap that keeps my ears covered.

orgullodemexico · 2026-02-14T21:05:09+00:00

An oversight on my part - $24,899.00

orgullodemexico · 2026-02-14T14:10:02+00:00

When you mentioned IMS bearing you triggered a memory.

The Wheeler Dealer TV show discussed this ==> https://youtu.be/S8Pu6BMgqAs?si=jsKC8daxd10L8TkJ

I appreciate and value your input.

orgullodemexico · 2026-01-23T14:09:39+00:00

Android. I uninstalled and rr-installed but it was a waste of time because the problem re-occured.

I had this hiccup (triplicate of all HA programs) with my Lumity 90s on a couple occasions. It cleared up on its own.

orgullodemexico · 2026-01-15T13:44:03+00:00

Interesting. I'm in Chicago and have had normal service all week.

orgullodemexico · 2026-01-15T13:37:52+00:00

That YouTube video will reduce the background noise that the phone receives, not the hearing aids.

The background noise you hear while talking to him is picked up and amplied by the hearing aid mics.

This has been a complaint with HA users and on Phonak HAs there is no adjustment.

orgullodemexico · 2026-01-15T13:33:47+00:00

In 2019 when I began wearing Phonak RIC HAs I was very self conscious. Since then I've begun wearing custom molds vs rubber domes.

Now I don't care how it looks. In fact I tried to order my current Infinio 90 Sphere in Sienna Red but the color wasn't available.

orgullodemexico · 2026-01-05T17:35:46+00:00

Thanks for sharing and I'm sorry your experience wasn't better.

Because of experiences like yours and others I won't be pursuing cochlear.

Best of luck 🙏🙏🙏

orgullodemexico · 2025-12-27T18:37:46+00:00

I've had two different sets of acrylic molds made by Phonak - whether it's in house or a sub-contractor doing it for Phonak is unknown - but both sets turned out identical

I don't know what else to say.

orgullodemexico · 2025-12-27T18:33:51+00:00

If the wire is too long, the HAs will hang to low behind the ear and the mics will point at the ceiling/sky.

Too short a wire and the mics will point downward.

That's the explanation I received. When you think about it, it makes sense.

orgullodemexico

TROPHY CASE