Question:
The acuris can only be fully turned off by opening the battery compartment. I am pretty convinced the metrix and acuris are using the same chipset. I have tried on the savia. I thought the sounds were much more naturally but it couldn’t hold a candle to the acuris’s ability to hear in noise. Then again I think tweaking of the directional mic could have fixed this problem. George
Response:
Hi Bruce I’m posting some information about the Bionic in the messages in the "Hard of Hearing Concerns". http://hohadvocates.org/ I also share your questioning about if ADRO is such break through technology, why isn’t everyone using it? In addition to your thoughts about possible answers, another serious consideration for implementing new algorithms such as ADRO is do you have the processing power to support it. In HAs, the need to operate real-time is of the utmost importance. A HA that operated in batch mode would be useless. So with this in mind and also keeping in mind that there is no such think a "real-time", the computational power of the DSP being used is of paramount importance. Maybe it has the power to do FFT and handle noise reduction and help with word recognition but it could be pushing its limits. So, a very important question is what DSP does a HA company use? How powerful is it? Is it a RISC DSP developed especially for HA products? Do the programmers (micro coders) know enough about the DSP to write "efficient" code that takes advantage of the DSP’s capabilility? Oh well, lots of questions but really no answers or insight. Regards, Bill <br…@somewhere.inv> wrote in message
news:jd2gf1h5k2vi5j6597ubbk3h1ea8m80dip@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Bill > PLEASE post something on the Bionic when you have them, even if it’s > just a broad-brush, first-impressions note. I’ve read quite a bit > about ADRO, and in theory it sounds very promising. But I’ve found > that there is a big difference between theory and user experience when > it comes to most technologies, including hearing aids, and what looks > good on the data sheets doesn’t always sound good in the ear (at least > my ear). I suppose one obvious question is "well, if ADRO is so good, > why isn’t everyone using it, given that it’s not exactly cutting-edge > and manufacturers are always on the look-out for a competitive > advantage?" That’s a simple question which I’m sure has a complex > answer (retooling costs, return on investment, contractual > arrangements, etc., etc.), but it will be interesting to see how the > technology shapes up in practice. > Cheers > Bruce > On Mon, 8 Aug 2005 20:20:58 -0400, "Bill & Debbie" > <bill…@sccoast.net> wrote: >>Hi Bruce, >>I’m posting above because your informative post is pretty long. I have >>been >>wearing trial BTE Matrix for about a month. I agree with you about all >>the >>poor design you identified. The volume control has even more design >>problems than you described. There are no physical notches or stops. All >>you have to do is breath hard and the volume switch moves. Also, the last >>adjustment made on mine activated the directional in all program modes. >>If >>you turn your head just slightly, the volume changes. So, talking with >>several people at a table becomes a real challenge. >>I tried the Sonic Innova a few months ago and wasn’t all that happy. I >>think it may have been the poor adjustments made at the factory. I may >>give >>them another chance. In the mean time, I’m having Interton Bionic’s made >>for me by my Audi and they will be ready Wednesday. I’m really looking >>forward to taking the "fuzzy logic" for a spin. >>I’ll try to give something of a status report later. >>Bill >><br…@somewhere.inv> wrote in message >>news:iqdff1l7vpcmfmtpmplf6g9gm137vndq17@4ax.com… >>> Hi Everyone >>> Further to my previous post about the Resound Metrix: I still find the >>> sound is very "processed". I can get used to it, and in fact there are >>> some situations in which it seems to be an advantage. For example, in >>> a large space where there are lots of echoes (for example, in a school >>> auditorium) the echoes don’t seem to interfere with the sound as much >>> as they do with, say, the Canta 7. However, I do still find that >>> listening to the telephone, tV, or PA systems is more difficult. >>> I have also had mixed results in noisy environments. This, of course, >>> is very subjective, and will vary depending on the nature of >>> individual hearing loss. Using the Adaptive Directionality feature, I >>> find that people’s voices appear to move when I turn my head, and they >>> cut in and out with only small changes in the direction angle. >>> I reserve my biggest criticisms for the actual design of the hearing >>> aid. Firstly, in order to switch it off you have to open the battery >>> door. The actual battery compartment is better designed than in the >>> Canta 7, but this on/off mechanism is archaic ("crap" is a word that >>> springs unbidden to mind). Open the door too far and the battery falls >>> out; open it not far enough and the aid stays on. Even when you get >>> the aperture right, it’s easy to bump the door when putting the aids >>> down, thus either dislodging the battery or switching the aids back on >>> again. For me, this is just sloppy design, and I think that an aid >>> costing as much as the Metrix does should do better. >>> I ordered an evaluation model with the volume control, as I have >>> always found the lack of such a control a big disadvantage with the >>> Canta 7. Well, the volume control was there this time: a little wheel >>> that is so sensitive that you can spin it down several steps without >>> trying (in my case, there is hardly any scope for increasing it once >>> the aid has been set). If you want to make subtle adjustments >>> on-the-fly (for example, in a meeting where some people have very >>> quiet voices and others have very loud ones) then the exercise >>> becomes aesthetically and functionally fraught. I know that not >>> everyone wants a volume control, but for those of us who do, I think >>> the implementation on the Metrix leaves much to be desired and fails >>> to meet the legitimate expectations for an aid of this price. >>> On the positive side, the feedback suppression is much better than on >>> the Canta 7, there is much less interference from digital mobile >>> phones, and I think the high-frequency response is better. It is also >>> possible to couple the Metrix to other devices via a shoe, unlike the >>> Canta 7. I would certainly encourage people to consider it if they are >>> contemplating an aid in this price range. >>> For me, the Canta 7 represented a big leap forward. Again for me, the >>> Metrix is, at best, a shuffle, and on balance, I can’t justify the >>> very substantial cost compared with the meagre (albeit audible) >>> benefits. I’m hoping to trial the Savia soon. I’m also thinking about >>> the Interton Bionic, but as it isn’t very widely known here in >>> Australia (and my much-preferred audiologist doesn’t distribute it), >>> I’m not sure how it stacks up against the more popular brands and >>> approaches. I’d be interested in any comments on the Interton range. >>> Cheers >>> Bruce >>> On Mon, 01 Aug 2005 19:26:46 GMT, "Kennard" <w…@kennard.com> wrote: >>>>Bruce, >>>>Thank you for your response. I posted my message at the end of my first >>>>day >>>>of the trial and am now finding some of the same issues you referenced. >>>>TV and all other electronic sounds are more difficult to understand than >>>>with my Sonic 2 Natura. (have worn Sonic 1 & 2 for approximately 8 >>>>years). >>>>It seams that my discrimination is better with the Metrix, so long as it >>>>is >>>>a controlled environment (quite room with no ambient noise), but in >>>>normal >>>>surroundings, less than stellar. >>>>I too am having a tough time describing the effects of this new hearing >>>>aid. >>>>Sounds are flat and not crisp.When they were first installed and the >>>>tech >>>>said – how do you hear – I said are they on? >>>>I also thought compression may be a problem, since I had that turned off >>>>in >>>>my Natura2, but wonder after your comments. >>>>I go back for my first adjustment and would be happy to give you the >>>>results.I appreciate any of you additional experiences with the Mertix. >>>>Thanks, >>>>Will >>>><br…@somewhere.inv> wrote in message >>>>news:ko7ne1996o0b0tfuj0f73lpv8kusmgavji@4ax.com… >>>>> Hi >>>>> I’m currently evaluating the Metrix. I’ve been using Canta 7’s for 4 >>>>> years. The first thing I noticed with the Metrix is that the sound is >>>>> different. I’m not sure how to describe it technically (suggestions >>>>> welcome), but impressionistically it’s more brittle, artificial, >>>>> narrow and "digital" – a bit like the sound you get when using a >>>>> digital mobile (cell phone) compared with an analogue. It’s as if the >>>>> attack and decay times aren’t being preserved, and the sound lacks >>>>> "depth". At first I thought it was a compression issue, but we took >>>>> all the compression off and the quality of the sound isn’t changed. My >>>>> voice sounds quite different from how it does on the Canta 7s. I could >>>>> get used to that, but I’m finding that this "processed" quality to the >>>>> sound makes it harder to discriminate voices on the telephone and the >>>>> TV. >>>>> Apparently the Metrix uses a different chip from the Canta 7. The >>>>> sound seems to me to be similar to the Siemens Triano and Acuris (and >>>>> I don’t like either of them either). I’ll certainly give the Metrix a >>>>> further workout, especially in noisy situations, but I also want to >>>>> try the Savia and the Interton Bionic, and at this stage the Metrix is >>>>> going to have to be lightyears ahead of the Canta before I’d consider >>>>> spending the large amount of money to buy them. >>>>> Cheers >>>>> Bruce >>>>> On Fri, 29 Jul 2005 22:17:45 GMT, "Kennard" <w…@kennard.com> wrote: >>>>>>I received my new HA’s today and have been able for the first time to >>>>>>hear >>>>>>people across a restaurant talking. I am also able to hear people talk >>>>>>who >>>>>>are not facing me. I will be on trial for the next 4 to 6 weeks and >>>>>>would >>>>>>appreciate anyone’s comments on the Metrix.
… read more »
Response:
Hi Bill PLEASE post something on the Bionic when you have them, even if it’s just a broad-brush, first-impressions note. I’ve read quite a bit about ADRO, and in theory it sounds very promising. But I’ve found that there is a big difference between theory and user experience when it comes to most technologies, including hearing aids, and what looks good on the data sheets doesn’t always sound good in the ear (at least my ear). I suppose one obvious question is "well, if ADRO is so good, why isn’t everyone using it, given that it’s not exactly cutting-edge and manufacturers are always on the look-out for a competitive advantage?" That’s a simple question which I’m sure has a complex answer (retooling costs, return on investment, contractual arrangements, etc., etc.), but it will be interesting to see how the technology shapes up in practice. Cheers Bruce On Mon, 8 Aug 2005 20:20:58 -0400, "Bill & Debbie" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -<bill…@sccoast.net> wrote: >Hi Bruce, >I’m posting above because your informative post is pretty long. I have been >wearing trial BTE Matrix for about a month. I agree with you about all the >poor design you identified. The volume control has even more design >problems than you described. There are no physical notches or stops. All >you have to do is breath hard and the volume switch moves. Also, the last >adjustment made on mine activated the directional in all program modes. If >you turn your head just slightly, the volume changes. So, talking with >several people at a table becomes a real challenge. >I tried the Sonic Innova a few months ago and wasn’t all that happy. I >think it may have been the poor adjustments made at the factory. I may give >them another chance. In the mean time, I’m having Interton Bionic’s made >for me by my Audi and they will be ready Wednesday. I’m really looking >forward to taking the "fuzzy logic" for a spin. >I’ll try to give something of a status report later. >Bill ><br…@somewhere.inv> wrote in message >news:iqdff1l7vpcmfmtpmplf6g9gm137vndq17@4ax.com… >> Hi Everyone >> Further to my previous post about the Resound Metrix: I still find the >> sound is very "processed". I can get used to it, and in fact there are >> some situations in which it seems to be an advantage. For example, in >> a large space where there are lots of echoes (for example, in a school >> auditorium) the echoes don’t seem to interfere with the sound as much >> as they do with, say, the Canta 7. However, I do still find that >> listening to the telephone, tV, or PA systems is more difficult. >> I have also had mixed results in noisy environments. This, of course, >> is very subjective, and will vary depending on the nature of >> individual hearing loss. Using the Adaptive Directionality feature, I >> find that people’s voices appear to move when I turn my head, and they >> cut in and out with only small changes in the direction angle. >> I reserve my biggest criticisms for the actual design of the hearing >> aid. Firstly, in order to switch it off you have to open the battery >> door. The actual battery compartment is better designed than in the >> Canta 7, but this on/off mechanism is archaic ("crap" is a word that >> springs unbidden to mind). Open the door too far and the battery falls >> out; open it not far enough and the aid stays on. Even when you get >> the aperture right, it’s easy to bump the door when putting the aids >> down, thus either dislodging the battery or switching the aids back on >> again. For me, this is just sloppy design, and I think that an aid >> costing as much as the Metrix does should do better. >> I ordered an evaluation model with the volume control, as I have >> always found the lack of such a control a big disadvantage with the >> Canta 7. Well, the volume control was there this time: a little wheel >> that is so sensitive that you can spin it down several steps without >> trying (in my case, there is hardly any scope for increasing it once >> the aid has been set). If you want to make subtle adjustments >> on-the-fly (for example, in a meeting where some people have very >> quiet voices and others have very loud ones) then the exercise >> becomes aesthetically and functionally fraught. I know that not >> everyone wants a volume control, but for those of us who do, I think >> the implementation on the Metrix leaves much to be desired and fails >> to meet the legitimate expectations for an aid of this price. >> On the positive side, the feedback suppression is much better than on >> the Canta 7, there is much less interference from digital mobile >> phones, and I think the high-frequency response is better. It is also >> possible to couple the Metrix to other devices via a shoe, unlike the >> Canta 7. I would certainly encourage people to consider it if they are >> contemplating an aid in this price range. >> For me, the Canta 7 represented a big leap forward. Again for me, the >> Metrix is, at best, a shuffle, and on balance, I can’t justify the >> very substantial cost compared with the meagre (albeit audible) >> benefits. I’m hoping to trial the Savia soon. I’m also thinking about >> the Interton Bionic, but as it isn’t very widely known here in >> Australia (and my much-preferred audiologist doesn’t distribute it), >> I’m not sure how it stacks up against the more popular brands and >> approaches. I’d be interested in any comments on the Interton range. >> Cheers >> Bruce >> On Mon, 01 Aug 2005 19:26:46 GMT, "Kennard" <w…@kennard.com> wrote: >>>Bruce, >>>Thank you for your response. I posted my message at the end of my first >>>day >>>of the trial and am now finding some of the same issues you referenced. >>>TV and all other electronic sounds are more difficult to understand than >>>with my Sonic 2 Natura. (have worn Sonic 1 & 2 for approximately 8 years). >>>It seams that my discrimination is better with the Metrix, so long as it >>>is >>>a controlled environment (quite room with no ambient noise), but in normal >>>surroundings, less than stellar. >>>I too am having a tough time describing the effects of this new hearing >>>aid. >>>Sounds are flat and not crisp.When they were first installed and the tech >>>said – how do you hear – I said are they on? >>>I also thought compression may be a problem, since I had that turned off >>>in >>>my Natura2, but wonder after your comments. >>>I go back for my first adjustment and would be happy to give you the >>>results.I appreciate any of you additional experiences with the Mertix. >>>Thanks, >>>Will >>><br…@somewhere.inv> wrote in message >>>news:ko7ne1996o0b0tfuj0f73lpv8kusmgavji@4ax.com… >>>> Hi >>>> I’m currently evaluating the Metrix. I’ve been using Canta 7’s for 4 >>>> years. The first thing I noticed with the Metrix is that the sound is >>>> different. I’m not sure how to describe it technically (suggestions >>>> welcome), but impressionistically it’s more brittle, artificial, >>>> narrow and "digital" – a bit like the sound you get when using a >>>> digital mobile (cell phone) compared with an analogue. It’s as if the >>>> attack and decay times aren’t being preserved, and the sound lacks >>>> "depth". At first I thought it was a compression issue, but we took >>>> all the compression off and the quality of the sound isn’t changed. My >>>> voice sounds quite different from how it does on the Canta 7s. I could >>>> get used to that, but I’m finding that this "processed" quality to the >>>> sound makes it harder to discriminate voices on the telephone and the >>>> TV. >>>> Apparently the Metrix uses a different chip from the Canta 7. The >>>> sound seems to me to be similar to the Siemens Triano and Acuris (and >>>> I don’t like either of them either). I’ll certainly give the Metrix a >>>> further workout, especially in noisy situations, but I also want to >>>> try the Savia and the Interton Bionic, and at this stage the Metrix is >>>> going to have to be lightyears ahead of the Canta before I’d consider >>>> spending the large amount of money to buy them. >>>> Cheers >>>> Bruce >>>> On Fri, 29 Jul 2005 22:17:45 GMT, "Kennard" <w…@kennard.com> wrote: >>>>>I received my new HA’s today and have been able for the first time to >>>>>hear >>>>>people across a restaurant talking. I am also able to hear people talk >>>>>who >>>>>are not facing me. I will be on trial for the next 4 to 6 weeks and >>>>>would >>>>>appreciate anyone’s comments on the Metrix.
Response:
One or two of the posters at the forum below are trialing the Interton Bionic. It uses a fairly new ADRO algorithm and the DSPfactory Toccata chip set. Costco carries it in the US (I believe at about $1600). See: http://hohadvocates.org/wwwboard/view.php?site=hohadvocates&bn=hohadv…
Response:
Hi Bruce, I’m posting above because your informative post is pretty long. I have been wearing trial BTE Matrix for about a month. I agree with you about all the poor design you identified. The volume control has even more design problems than you described. There are no physical notches or stops. All you have to do is breath hard and the volume switch moves. Also, the last adjustment made on mine activated the directional in all program modes. If you turn your head just slightly, the volume changes. So, talking with several people at a table becomes a real challenge. I tried the Sonic Innova a few months ago and wasn’t all that happy. I think it may have been the poor adjustments made at the factory. I may give them another chance. In the mean time, I’m having Interton Bionic’s made for me by my Audi and they will be ready Wednesday. I’m really looking forward to taking the "fuzzy logic" for a spin. I’ll try to give something of a status report later. Bill <br…@somewhere.inv> wrote in message
news:iqdff1l7vpcmfmtpmplf6g9gm137vndq17@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Everyone > Further to my previous post about the Resound Metrix: I still find the > sound is very "processed". I can get used to it, and in fact there are > some situations in which it seems to be an advantage. For example, in > a large space where there are lots of echoes (for example, in a school > auditorium) the echoes don’t seem to interfere with the sound as much > as they do with, say, the Canta 7. However, I do still find that > listening to the telephone, tV, or PA systems is more difficult. > I have also had mixed results in noisy environments. This, of course, > is very subjective, and will vary depending on the nature of > individual hearing loss. Using the Adaptive Directionality feature, I > find that people’s voices appear to move when I turn my head, and they > cut in and out with only small changes in the direction angle. > I reserve my biggest criticisms for the actual design of the hearing > aid. Firstly, in order to switch it off you have to open the battery > door. The actual battery compartment is better designed than in the > Canta 7, but this on/off mechanism is archaic ("crap" is a word that > springs unbidden to mind). Open the door too far and the battery falls > out; open it not far enough and the aid stays on. Even when you get > the aperture right, it’s easy to bump the door when putting the aids > down, thus either dislodging the battery or switching the aids back on > again. For me, this is just sloppy design, and I think that an aid > costing as much as the Metrix does should do better. > I ordered an evaluation model with the volume control, as I have > always found the lack of such a control a big disadvantage with the > Canta 7. Well, the volume control was there this time: a little wheel > that is so sensitive that you can spin it down several steps without > trying (in my case, there is hardly any scope for increasing it once > the aid has been set). If you want to make subtle adjustments > on-the-fly (for example, in a meeting where some people have very > quiet voices and others have very loud ones) then the exercise > becomes aesthetically and functionally fraught. I know that not > everyone wants a volume control, but for those of us who do, I think > the implementation on the Metrix leaves much to be desired and fails > to meet the legitimate expectations for an aid of this price. > On the positive side, the feedback suppression is much better than on > the Canta 7, there is much less interference from digital mobile > phones, and I think the high-frequency response is better. It is also > possible to couple the Metrix to other devices via a shoe, unlike the > Canta 7. I would certainly encourage people to consider it if they are > contemplating an aid in this price range. > For me, the Canta 7 represented a big leap forward. Again for me, the > Metrix is, at best, a shuffle, and on balance, I can’t justify the > very substantial cost compared with the meagre (albeit audible) > benefits. I’m hoping to trial the Savia soon. I’m also thinking about > the Interton Bionic, but as it isn’t very widely known here in > Australia (and my much-preferred audiologist doesn’t distribute it), > I’m not sure how it stacks up against the more popular brands and > approaches. I’d be interested in any comments on the Interton range. > Cheers > Bruce > On Mon, 01 Aug 2005 19:26:46 GMT, "Kennard" <w…@kennard.com> wrote: >>Bruce, >>Thank you for your response. I posted my message at the end of my first >>day >>of the trial and am now finding some of the same issues you referenced. >>TV and all other electronic sounds are more difficult to understand than >>with my Sonic 2 Natura. (have worn Sonic 1 & 2 for approximately 8 years). >>It seams that my discrimination is better with the Metrix, so long as it >>is >>a controlled environment (quite room with no ambient noise), but in normal >>surroundings, less than stellar. >>I too am having a tough time describing the effects of this new hearing >>aid. >>Sounds are flat and not crisp.When they were first installed and the tech >>said – how do you hear – I said are they on? >>I also thought compression may be a problem, since I had that turned off >>in >>my Natura2, but wonder after your comments. >>I go back for my first adjustment and would be happy to give you the >>results.I appreciate any of you additional experiences with the Mertix. >>Thanks, >>Will >><br…@somewhere.inv> wrote in message >>news:ko7ne1996o0b0tfuj0f73lpv8kusmgavji@4ax.com… >>> Hi >>> I’m currently evaluating the Metrix. I’ve been using Canta 7’s for 4 >>> years. The first thing I noticed with the Metrix is that the sound is >>> different. I’m not sure how to describe it technically (suggestions >>> welcome), but impressionistically it’s more brittle, artificial, >>> narrow and "digital" – a bit like the sound you get when using a >>> digital mobile (cell phone) compared with an analogue. It’s as if the >>> attack and decay times aren’t being preserved, and the sound lacks >>> "depth". At first I thought it was a compression issue, but we took >>> all the compression off and the quality of the sound isn’t changed. My >>> voice sounds quite different from how it does on the Canta 7s. I could >>> get used to that, but I’m finding that this "processed" quality to the >>> sound makes it harder to discriminate voices on the telephone and the >>> TV. >>> Apparently the Metrix uses a different chip from the Canta 7. The >>> sound seems to me to be similar to the Siemens Triano and Acuris (and >>> I don’t like either of them either). I’ll certainly give the Metrix a >>> further workout, especially in noisy situations, but I also want to >>> try the Savia and the Interton Bionic, and at this stage the Metrix is >>> going to have to be lightyears ahead of the Canta before I’d consider >>> spending the large amount of money to buy them. >>> Cheers >>> Bruce >>> On Fri, 29 Jul 2005 22:17:45 GMT, "Kennard" <w…@kennard.com> wrote: >>>>I received my new HA’s today and have been able for the first time to >>>>hear >>>>people across a restaurant talking. I am also able to hear people talk >>>>who >>>>are not facing me. I will be on trial for the next 4 to 6 weeks and >>>>would >>>>appreciate anyone’s comments on the Metrix.
Response:
Your experience with the metrix sounds very much like my trial with the acuris. I could hear people in a crowded room who wasn’t speaking directly to me well. However, I had a tough time hearing people talk to me directly. The aid sounded unnatural. I have a feeling the aid was not balancing the sounds coming from all the microphones. I was trialing the acuris 3p which has 3 microhpones so this seems to make sense. I wished I asked my audi when I was trialing the aid to focus more on the directionality aspect of the aid programming. I think if I had made the aid more focus on the sounds in front of me maybe that could have resolved my problems. The situation maybe the same with the metrix.
Response:
Hi Everyone Further to my previous post about the Resound Metrix: I still find the sound is very "processed". I can get used to it, and in fact there are some situations in which it seems to be an advantage. For example, in a large space where there are lots of echoes (for example, in a school auditorium) the echoes don’t seem to interfere with the sound as much as they do with, say, the Canta 7. However, I do still find that listening to the telephone, tV, or PA systems is more difficult. I have also had mixed results in noisy environments. This, of course, is very subjective, and will vary depending on the nature of individual hearing loss. Using the Adaptive Directionality feature, I find that people’s voices appear to move when I turn my head, and they cut in and out with only small changes in the direction angle. I reserve my biggest criticisms for the actual design of the hearing aid. Firstly, in order to switch it off you have to open the battery door. The actual battery compartment is better designed than in the Canta 7, but this on/off mechanism is archaic ("crap" is a word that springs unbidden to mind). Open the door too far and the battery falls out; open it not far enough and the aid stays on. Even when you get the aperture right, it’s easy to bump the door when putting the aids down, thus either dislodging the battery or switching the aids back on again. For me, this is just sloppy design, and I think that an aid costing as much as the Metrix does should do better. I ordered an evaluation model with the volume control, as I have always found the lack of such a control a big disadvantage with the Canta 7. Well, the volume control was there this time: a little wheel that is so sensitive that you can spin it down several steps without trying (in my case, there is hardly any scope for increasing it once the aid has been set). If you want to make subtle adjustments on-the-fly (for example, in a meeting where some people have very quiet voices and others have very loud ones) then the exercise becomes aesthetically and functionally fraught. I know that not everyone wants a volume control, but for those of us who do, I think the implementation on the Metrix leaves much to be desired and fails to meet the legitimate expectations for an aid of this price. On the positive side, the feedback suppression is much better than on the Canta 7, there is much less interference from digital mobile phones, and I think the high-frequency response is better. It is also possible to couple the Metrix to other devices via a shoe, unlike the Canta 7. I would certainly encourage people to consider it if they are contemplating an aid in this price range. For me, the Canta 7 represented a big leap forward. Again for me, the Metrix is, at best, a shuffle, and on balance, I can’t justify the very substantial cost compared with the meagre (albeit audible) benefits. I’m hoping to trial the Savia soon. I’m also thinking about the Interton Bionic, but as it isn’t very widely known here in Australia (and my much-preferred audiologist doesn’t distribute it), I’m not sure how it stacks up against the more popular brands and approaches. I’d be interested in any comments on the Interton range. Cheers Bruce – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -On Mon, 01 Aug 2005 19:26:46 GMT, "Kennard" <w…@kennard.com> wrote: >Bruce, >Thank you for your response. I posted my message at the end of my first day >of the trial and am now finding some of the same issues you referenced. >TV and all other electronic sounds are more difficult to understand than >with my Sonic 2 Natura. (have worn Sonic 1 & 2 for approximately 8 years). >It seams that my discrimination is better with the Metrix, so long as it is >a controlled environment (quite room with no ambient noise), but in normal >surroundings, less than stellar. >I too am having a tough time describing the effects of this new hearing aid. >Sounds are flat and not crisp.When they were first installed and the tech >said – how do you hear – I said are they on? >I also thought compression may be a problem, since I had that turned off in >my Natura2, but wonder after your comments. >I go back for my first adjustment and would be happy to give you the >results.I appreciate any of you additional experiences with the Mertix. >Thanks, >Will ><br…@somewhere.inv> wrote in message >news:ko7ne1996o0b0tfuj0f73lpv8kusmgavji@4ax.com… >> Hi >> I’m currently evaluating the Metrix. I’ve been using Canta 7’s for 4 >> years. The first thing I noticed with the Metrix is that the sound is >> different. I’m not sure how to describe it technically (suggestions >> welcome), but impressionistically it’s more brittle, artificial, >> narrow and "digital" – a bit like the sound you get when using a >> digital mobile (cell phone) compared with an analogue. It’s as if the >> attack and decay times aren’t being preserved, and the sound lacks >> "depth". At first I thought it was a compression issue, but we took >> all the compression off and the quality of the sound isn’t changed. My >> voice sounds quite different from how it does on the Canta 7s. I could >> get used to that, but I’m finding that this "processed" quality to the >> sound makes it harder to discriminate voices on the telephone and the >> TV. >> Apparently the Metrix uses a different chip from the Canta 7. The >> sound seems to me to be similar to the Siemens Triano and Acuris (and >> I don’t like either of them either). I’ll certainly give the Metrix a >> further workout, especially in noisy situations, but I also want to >> try the Savia and the Interton Bionic, and at this stage the Metrix is >> going to have to be lightyears ahead of the Canta before I’d consider >> spending the large amount of money to buy them. >> Cheers >> Bruce >> On Fri, 29 Jul 2005 22:17:45 GMT, "Kennard" <w…@kennard.com> wrote: >>>I received my new HA’s today and have been able for the first time to hear >>>people across a restaurant talking. I am also able to hear people talk who >>>are not facing me. I will be on trial for the next 4 to 6 weeks and would >>>appreciate anyone’s comments on the Metrix.
Response:
Bruce, Thank you for your response. I posted my message at the end of my first day of the trial and am now finding some of the same issues you referenced. TV and all other electronic sounds are more difficult to understand than with my Sonic 2 Natura. (have worn Sonic 1 & 2 for approximately 8 years). It seams that my discrimination is better with the Metrix, so long as it is a controlled environment (quite room with no ambient noise), but in normal surroundings, less than stellar. I too am having a tough time describing the effects of this new hearing aid. Sounds are flat and not crisp.When they were first installed and the tech said – how do you hear – I said are they on? I also thought compression may be a problem, since I had that turned off in my Natura2, but wonder after your comments. I go back for my first adjustment and would be happy to give you the results.I appreciate any of you additional experiences with the Mertix. Thanks, Will <br…@somewhere.inv> wrote in message
news:ko7ne1996o0b0tfuj0f73lpv8kusmgavji@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi > I’m currently evaluating the Metrix. I’ve been using Canta 7’s for 4 > years. The first thing I noticed with the Metrix is that the sound is > different. I’m not sure how to describe it technically (suggestions > welcome), but impressionistically it’s more brittle, artificial, > narrow and "digital" – a bit like the sound you get when using a > digital mobile (cell phone) compared with an analogue. It’s as if the > attack and decay times aren’t being preserved, and the sound lacks > "depth". At first I thought it was a compression issue, but we took > all the compression off and the quality of the sound isn’t changed. My > voice sounds quite different from how it does on the Canta 7s. I could > get used to that, but I’m finding that this "processed" quality to the > sound makes it harder to discriminate voices on the telephone and the > TV. > Apparently the Metrix uses a different chip from the Canta 7. The > sound seems to me to be similar to the Siemens Triano and Acuris (and > I don’t like either of them either). I’ll certainly give the Metrix a > further workout, especially in noisy situations, but I also want to > try the Savia and the Interton Bionic, and at this stage the Metrix is > going to have to be lightyears ahead of the Canta before I’d consider > spending the large amount of money to buy them. > Cheers > Bruce > On Fri, 29 Jul 2005 22:17:45 GMT, "Kennard" <w…@kennard.com> wrote: >>I received my new HA’s today and have been able for the first time to hear >>people across a restaurant talking. I am also able to hear people talk who >>are not facing me. I will be on trial for the next 4 to 6 weeks and would >>appreciate anyone’s comments on the Metrix.
Response:
Hi I’m currently evaluating the Metrix. I’ve been using Canta 7’s for 4 years. The first thing I noticed with the Metrix is that the sound is different. I’m not sure how to describe it technically (suggestions welcome), but impressionistically it’s more brittle, artificial, narrow and "digital" – a bit like the sound you get when using a digital mobile (cell phone) compared with an analogue. It’s as if the attack and decay times aren’t being preserved, and the sound lacks "depth". At first I thought it was a compression issue, but we took all the compression off and the quality of the sound isn’t changed. My voice sounds quite different from how it does on the Canta 7s. I could get used to that, but I’m finding that this "processed" quality to the sound makes it harder to discriminate voices on the telephone and the TV. Apparently the Metrix uses a different chip from the Canta 7. The sound seems to me to be similar to the Siemens Triano and Acuris (and I don’t like either of them either). I’ll certainly give the Metrix a further workout, especially in noisy situations, but I also want to try the Savia and the Interton Bionic, and at this stage the Metrix is going to have to be lightyears ahead of the Canta before I’d consider spending the large amount of money to buy them. Cheers Bruce – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -On Fri, 29 Jul 2005 22:17:45 GMT, "Kennard" <w…@kennard.com> wrote: >I received my new HA’s today and have been able for the first time to hear >people across a restaurant talking. I am also able to hear people talk who >are not facing me. I will be on trial for the next 4 to 6 weeks and would >appreciate anyone’s comments on the Metrix.
Response:
I received my new HA’s today and have been able for the first time to hear people across a restaurant talking. I am also able to hear people talk who are not facing me. I will be on trial for the next 4 to 6 weeks and would appreciate anyone’s comments on the Metrix.
Response:
Give the man a cigar, or whatever. John "greyhackles" <greyhack…@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote in message 
>>> Sue >>Hey Sue, >>Glad to hear it. So far today I am groovy, just slow. Yesterday I put >>away shot 36 of 48…..I’m getting there. >>I would go out of my mind if I had a constant noise in my ear. > Well, I’ve had a constant noise in my ears for 30 years now, and survived. > Her name is "Carol". > /greyhackles 
