Re: Phonak/

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam,

I'm not using a special map with my FM system. Instead, my audiologist

created a softer map so that the output of the FM system wasn't painfully

loud. The softer map gives me better control over the level of volume I

receive through the FM system receiver.

When you use the Phonak Microlink with your 3G, are you using it (the 3G) in

t-coil mode? If so, that may explain why you're unable to control volume. .

The 3G needs to be in the microphone setting when using any FM system. For

the longest time, I didn't know that and wondered why I couldn't hear

anything.

I find it helpful to have sensitivity turned down as far as it will go. This

allows me to control the FM system's output/volume through the FM system

receiver. I also found it helpful to have the speaker wear the FM system

microphone a little further away from his/her mouth. If you're using the

Phonak Microlink with Smartlink receiver, you may want to adjust the lapel

strap so that it is closer to the breastbone. My university audi had a

technique for determining where the receiver should be worn, but I can't

remember it at the moment. If/when I do, I'll post it here. She said that

adjusting the Smartlink in this way provides better sound clarity and a more

comfortable volume/listening level.

I would suggest that your audi create a softer map for use with an FM

system. Unfortunately I don't know how much sound my audi decreased in my

map, but it wasn't very much. Perhaps you can bring your FM system to your

appointment tomorrow so you can determine how much sound needs to be

decreased in order to make the Phonak's volume/output more comfortable for

you.

I posted a message on another forum describing my experiences with the

Phonak Microlink and Smartlink receiver. If I can find it, I'll post it

here.

I hope you'll let us know how your appointment goes tomorrow. Good luck! In

the meantime, I'll e-mail my university audi to find out if she has any

suggestions she can share.

I hope this information was helpful! If you have any further questions,

please feel free to write me privately or on-list. <smile>

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

Thanks this is very helpful. My audi set one program P2 on the highest

sensitivity it would go to and then made it non adjustable so I tried using my

other sensitivity program (P1) and it worked much better.. no loud outrageous

sounds etc. I can't use my P2 program at all because the sensitivity is non

adjustable and it blows my ears off to go to the grocery store or out in

traffic.. nasty! I am left with just one usable program on my processor when I

used to have two I could trade off with. That's not a good deal!

Thanks, !

Pam

[Guest guest]

--and in answer to your question, yes I am using the Mic setting for the

microlink and smartlink.

Thanks again!

Pam

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam,

Glad I could help! <smile>

Is there a reason your audi set sensitivity on one program so that it is

non-adjustable?

Perhaps he/she could replace that with a volume map with autosensitivity or

adjust sensitivity identically on both programs so that either of them can

be used with or without an FM system. This way you wouldn't be limited to

using one program for everyday listening and another for FM system use. Then

again, if you've found a good setting that works for you, perhaps it's best

to stick with that without making any further changes. As the old saying

goes, " If it ain't broke, don't fix it. " <smile>

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

, my Audie only gave me one program also. When I did so well in the booth,

she used your approach......it ain't broken, so don't fix it. Like you are

suggesting to Pam, I E-Mailed the Audie and told her that music was harsh and

unnatural, especially with the highs. I asked her if, at my next mapping in

February, if she could add a map to try and smooth out the music(I have 3 places

left). She said she would try. Some Audies don't like to give you too much to do

if what you have works. Music is my next hurdle! Best regards.

Kozlik <lisak70@...> wrote:

Hi Pam,

Glad I could help! <smile>

Is there a reason your audi set sensitivity on one program so that it is

non-adjustable?

Perhaps he/she could replace that with a volume map with autosensitivity or

adjust sensitivity identically on both programs so that either of them can

be used with or without an FM system. This way you wouldn't be limited to

using one program for everyday listening and another for FM system use. Then

again, if you've found a good setting that works for you, perhaps it's best

to stick with that without making any further changes. As the old saying

goes, " If it ain't broke, don't fix it. " <smile>

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

Irv in Ca.

Implanted(Freedom) - Sept. 13, 2005

Activated - Oct. 7, 2005

[Guest guest]

Pam,

Okay, that's good. <smile> I thought I'd ask because for the longest time I

didn't know the 3G should be in the microphone setting when it is being used

with an FM system. After 10 years of putting my hearing aids in t-coil mode

for use with direct audio input and an FM system, I thought the 3G worked

the same way. Fortunately a Cochlear audiologist caught this mistake and

explained how to set the 3G correctly.

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

Irwin,

You brought up a good point about not making too many changes to a map --

especially if someone is hearing pretty well in most environments.

My audi and I had a conversation about this a few months ago when I told her

I was having difficulty hearing one of my professors. She preferred not to

make any changes to my map just to hear him since these changes might make

it more difficult to hear other voices and environmental sounds. That was

the right decision since the problems I have having had more to do with my

3G being set incorrectly than my inability to hear.

Having said that, I know there are exceptions. In fact, there is a list

member (sorry, I can't remember their name) who asked their audi to make

changes to their map so that a family member's voice was more comfortable.

You mentioned music. Until recently, I didn't know how to ask my audi to

help make music sound better -- probably because I could hear gradual

changes and didn't know how a map could be adjusted in such a way to make

music sound better than it already does with the CI.

However, as music became more " normalized " (the way I remember with hearing

aids), I found it easier to describe what kind of changes should be made.

For example, I know I'm due for a new map when a familiar song sounds flat,

off-key or high pitched.

It also seems that the longer I have my CI, the easier it is to tell when

something doesn't " sound right. "

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

No, I haven't found a good setting that shouldn't be changed. I use the P1

program exclusively and can't use the P2 program (set exclusively for the Phonak

system which doesn't make sense either) for anything at all.. not even the phone

because the sensitivity is set so high that the electromagnetic static is so

loud I can't hear anything on T setting and the sensitivity is too high with the

M setting. I couldn't believe how loud Costco was when I went the day she

accidentally locked both of my sensitivity programs at the same high setting..

It sounded like I was underneath a freight train. aarrgghhhhh

Pam (due for a change)

[Guest guest]

Thanks to everyone who offered advice about the Phonak system.

My audiologist changed my setting to a softer adjustable sensitivity and now I'm

happy!

I just have to practice now in different settings but I think this will " do the

trick. "

I read your note to her and she asked for a copy of it which I gave her..

hope this is ok with you. Everything we're doing in Alaska is " for the first

time. "

Pam Savage

(learning with her audi in the last frontier--Alaska)

[Guest guest]

Pam,

I don't mind you sharing my post with your audiologist. In fact, please feel

free to share any of my e-mails that you think may be helpful to her.

<smile> One of the nice things about listservs like this is being able to

share experiences and suggestions with one another so that we all may

benefit!

I'm glad the softer map did the trick for you! <smile>

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years