question about feedback in digital CICs

[C. Scot Giles]

Hi Folks,

I love my new CIC Wydex Senso aids. I'm still in trial on them but I am
amazed at how much I have not been hearing before I got the aids (hearing
normal until 1000 Hz, then drops off in high ranges to severe --a classic
ski slope audiogram).

Having a problem with the left aid --feedback is a problem, even when doing
normal chewing. No problem at all with the right aid, which fits fine and
does it's job with no difficulty.

I suspect the audiologist has the gain up too high in the left ear (my right
ear is a little better than the left, but not much) as I hear white noise
whenever I am in an open area. Also the fit doesn't seem to be as good and
I have to periodically adjust the aid. Obviously, my left ear canal is
changing shape when I chew as well.

Is this something that can be corrected by adjusting the gain or feedback
level, or perhaps by taking a better mold of the canal, or is this just what
happens with CICs and I have to learn to live with it?

Help is appreciated.

Scot (and Happy Holidays!)

[Quintex]

It sounds (no pun intended) that the fit is not quite right,
and/or that the volume control needs to be adjusted. Just be
sure that if the volume does get adjusted that the hearing
assistance you need isn't diminished.

C. Scot Giles wrote in message <#xcYN#KK#GA.288@upnetnews03>...
Hi Folks,

[Michael]

Scot,
Have your audiologist turn down the setting called "max gain" 3 decibels.
This will not diminish the amplification of the hearing aid in any way. It
reduces the "search" mode of the processor, which is changing everytime you
change the shape of your ear canal by chewing or smiling or whatever. If you
still get it some, turn it down another 2 dB, until it is gone.

--
Michael
www.ridenhour.com

C. Scot Giles wrote in message <#xcYN#KK#GA.288@upnetnews03>...
>Hi Folks,
>

>I love my new CIC Wydex Senso aids. I'm still in trial on them but I am
>amazed at how much I have not been hearing before I got the aids (hearing
>normal until 1000 Hz, then drops off in high ranges to severe --a classic
>ski slope audiogram).
>

>Having a problem with the left aid --feedback is a problem, even when doing
>normal chewing. No problem at all with the right aid, which fits fine and
>does it's job with no difficulty.
>

[BCI27]

I have a lot of experience with the Widex Senso CIC units. The way to get rid
of the feedback when chewing is to run the Feedback Test with your mouth open.

By doing the test with your mouth open, you are ensuring the feedback
adjustment will be for the "at worst" situation.

It is an old trick to me, but maybe you have not tried it yet.

Brian Ichikawa
Harden Hearing Aid Centers
Santa Cruz, Ca.

[David A. Jones]

Scott,

I had a similar problem with a Siemens CIC hearing aid. In my case the
problem was with my right ear, which was a little weaker and in which the fit
seemed a little poorer. The feedback was also a function of jaw position, and
my hearing loss is "ski slope."

I was very hesitant to allow the maximum gain to be reduced because I want all
the hearing help I can get.

An audiologist built up the size of the aid using a soft material called
"Star"-something. In my case an unusual amount of build-up was required--
about an eighth of an inch in diameter. This action did stop the feedback
without reducing the gain. It was a little tight and did not snap in as the
other one did. It is now back being remade.

I would not hesitate to ask to have yours remade.

Regards, and Happy Holidays to you,
Dave

In article <#xcYN#KK#GA.288@upnetnews03>, C_Scot...@email.msn.com says...