Airstream and Artone? Do I need both?

[Tgayda]

Checking into Hear Peers after a long absence. I'm finally taking the plunge and doing the upgrade to Sonnet 2. So many new options since the last one. The patient kit says that the Airstream cover is included. I thought I would need an Audiolink to access the bluetooth for the phone but it looks like the Airstream will take care of that. I also read Mary Beth's blog post on the Artone Max 3. Now I am a bit confused. Should I get both when doing the order or would the Airstream cover be enough?

The Audiolink sounds like it still needs some tweaks and the Artone looks like a better alternative if needed.

Also wondering if the Artone Max 3 would work with theatre loop situations? I used to use the theatre loops and could hook the FM Cover into it for clearer sound. It died a couple of years ago.  Any experiences in a theatre setting? 

[Mary Beth]

@Tgayda

congratulations on your upcoming upgrade to Sonnet 2.

AudioStream will be your direct connection to phone and tablet.

If you want a connection to laptop or TV, then another connectivity device will be needed.

BT around the ear headphones like BOSE QC35 work great with Sonnet 2 processors.

The Artone 3 MAX BT neckloop is also an option with Sonnet 2 on MT or T but most likely people just stay using the AudioStream direct connection instead.

For theaters, the Artone is not a good option as the Artone requires a BT connection.  Theaters either are looped already and we just switch to MT or T or they have an assistive listening system where a loop is plugged into that system’s little box.  Theaters tend to have loops available that plug in.

If your Sonnet 2 upgrade already includes the AudioStream cover AND you also get to choice another connectivity option…

choosing another AudioStream would give you a back up and they cost around $300 and are not covered by insurance

choosing a FM battery cover and DAI cable would restore the way you used to plug into theater assistive listening systems in the headphone jack

 

[Tgayda]

The audi sent me the form today and I am going through the options. I'm in Canada and coverage is minimal. I use my retirement benefit for the hearing aid side, and have already used that for the every 4 year period. I'm not sure what is optional or what I would have to pay extra for. More questions to her. Thanks for the insights Mary Beth

[Hicksy]

Tgayda, an Artone neckloop can be purchased from the Union Hearing Med El store for $150+ tax should you want one. I use both audiostream and the neckloop depending on the circumstances. Hope this helps your decision.

[Tgayda]

Well, I received my new kit on Monday and I am trying to get everything hooked up. The airstream will not connect to my phone, I'm checking into that. The Artone will not go bimodal with my phone it will do hearing aid or Sonnet but not both. Haven't tried the car yet. I will also need much more practice with the Sonnet if I am going to use it for listening on the phone, too much program and volume level adjustments to rely on answering a call with the artone without hearing aid for quick back up. Going to be a big learning curve. 

On the positive side the programs are working very well with the new Sonnet2 EAS. Had the volume increased on the hearing aid part and sounds are clearer and more balanced. 

[Mary Beth]

@Tgayda

I will try to help.

The Artone is a simple device to use.  It pairs to your phone like any BT headphone.  That is the end of that.  Then we just put the Sonnet 2 and hearing aid into MT (microphone/telecoil 50/50 mix) or T (telecoil only- this setting delivers only the streamed sound via the Artone neckloop).  The hearing aid must have a telecoil and that telecoil must be turned on by the HA audiologist.

Here is a captioned video about using the Artone 

 

When you say “Airstream” are you referring to the Med-El AudioStream which is a special Sonnet/Sonnet2 battery cover with a built in BT receiver or the Med-El AudioLink which is an intermediary connectivity device?

[Tgayda]

Yes, it is audiostream,  brain and thumb says airstream. I do have the tcoil hooked up with my hearing aid. Maybe I should try putting it on tcoil when running both on the artone to get the bimodal? Will try that. Thanks Mary Beth.

The other problems could be my Samsung A13. It might not be compatible with audiostream. 

[Mary Beth]

@Tgayda

yes definitely need to set both the Sonnet2 and the hearing aid each to MT or T to be able to hear the audio streamed to the Artone.  Good luck

 

I do not see that phone listed on the compatible phone list for AudioStream but the listed is updated from time to time.  Here is a link 

https://www.medel.com/en-us/hearing-solutions/accessories/connectivity/audiostream

 

[Tgayda]

Think I have the tcoil thing figured out and probably won't need to use the connect clip for my hearing aid when using the Artone. Will only work with aid or Sonnet, not both and the hearing aid wins the connection in bimodel. 

I did see the compatible phones list. Was hoping it might not be current. For my next phone, which will probably be another year, I will review the list again and make a better choice. 

Thanks again!