Bimodal Music streaming

[Mary Beth]

@John R

I agree.  The best true stereo experience is with high quality around the ear BT headphones.  That is an option for bimodal users if they opt for a Sonnet/Sonnet2; single sided deaf CI users if they opt for a Sonnet/Sonnet2; and bilateral CI users if they opt for a Sonnet/Sonnet2.

It becomes more complicated for Rondo users.  CozyPhones wired flat stereo speakers on a headband is a very inexpensive option for Rondo users.  It is possible to attach a small BT adapter to CozyPhones if plugging into a headphone jack on the phone is not possible or not wanted.  This has very good sound quality.

For bilateral Sonnet/Sonnet2 users, true stereo sounds very good with AudioStream.

I believe the Dolby experience with the Select may be limited to certain receiver set ups.  I’m not sure about this though.

[John R]

17 hours ago, Mary Beth said:

Dolby experience with the Select may be limited to certain receiver set ups.

My Select is set up with a THX / Dolby Certified Multi Zone home theatre receiver, and the input is not digital, its limited to the 3.5mm analog jack (1/4 inch).
The advantage of doing this is that when streaming the Streamer can be used as "zone 2" having a Pre output on a receiver aids in the fact that headphone jacks will mute the tv or receivers other outputs, But being that mine is THX and Dolby Digital I have tested the difference in the streaming stereo, and still its pseudo mixed not true separation. 

One disadvantage to Bimodal use of Over the Ear Cans ( Headphones ) is that they do cause feedback this happens when a microphone is placed to close to a speaker and a frequency then loops in a vicious cycle. 

NOW... Some Audiologists will say that you Can NOT get Feedback with a CI processor, because there is no Speaker, and Yes that is the case, I have also had an Audiologist say that BASS does not feedback, well this too is false, its all about the wavelength and mic to speaker distance. SO with Headphones I DO get feedback with my Sonnet 2 because I have the EAS system turned on, which while it is only producing Bass information it does add the speaker element back into the equation allowing low frequencies to loop. 

Hearing Aids are more prone to feedback as high frequencies are a mush smaller wavelength and travel at much faster speeds. 

To technical?

JR

[Mary Beth]

@John R

I had huge feedback issues with headphones and my hearing aid.  That’s why in 2000, I went into stores with headphone displays that customers were able to test out.  I tried various around the ear headphones searching for one that did not cause feedback.  This is when I fell in love with BOSE QC (at that time it was QC2).  The size and shape of the ear cup did not cause feedback.  I have been a BOSE QC fan ever since.  My second set of BOSE was the QC35.  Great bass.  Very comfortable even while wearing the Sonnets.

I think our best chance of delivering true stereo- separate right and left audio- will come from advances in accessibility features on our devices which will allow 2 receivers to be identified as right and left even if those receivers are different brands- like a HA and a CI.  Samsung has already introduced this on some phone models.

 

 

[Dianna]

Hi guys and gals, thank you for all this i think i got it! Thank you so much

[Dianna]

Btw art how are you liking the costco ha so far?

[artkup]

Not great yet. Still getting used to my very first hearing aid. It's ok in a controlled environment like when watching TV at home. Outside, there are many times when the mics seem to turn off or change their range of focus because of some built-in "intelligence." 

[Dianna]

Hey! Ok yesterday i used audio stream all day. I loved rehab with hearoes plus the eas was good for outside noise. I would use it all the time if it didnt disconnect so much. I think it disconnects with certain things happen to my phone, like messages or calls i hang up. I will spend more and more time with this as there are no cables. I searched for the hearing aids program and ready and raring to get the ha. Hopefully my audi will have some advice on ha after this mapping.

Also decided to get a newer tv this winter with bluetooth so i can stream tv with no cable.

Now that i have so much experience (laughs) if i do the other ear as ci in future, im thinking the rondo is more convenient but not as advanced as sonnet. Maybe the rondo and sonnet will become rondet!

[Dianna]

On 10/30/2021 at 4:07 PM, artkup said:

I am a bit concerned that the only way to use a Roger system, bimodally with the Rondo 3 and a HA, is via telecoil neck loop. This is quite a cumbersome setup and doesn't provide music quality sound for bimodal Rondo users. As a lover of STEREO MUSIC, and a Rondo wearer, I'm worried that MedEl isn't seriously thinking through the repercussions of their focusing on their own proprietary AudioStream(ing) technology to the exclusion of working with an excellent extant Roger system. What we need is a way to load up receivers/drivers RogerDirect(ly) onto the next version Rondo 4 so that the new generation of Roger iN microphones can be used to stream bimodally, in stereo.

Im thinking rondo is made to be convenient and small for on the go folks, sonnet is made for the complete experience and versatility, not for doing while riding a bike or jogging, scuba diving or swimming.  💘 

[Mary Beth]

@diana

Check compatibility with the devices you want to direct stream to from your TV.  AudioStream will not do that.  AudioStream only direct streams from phones and tablets.  It has to do with the type of BT protocol it is compatible with I believe.

[John F]

Not sure I quite agree with the assumption the Rondo is more for on the go type lifestyle.  There’s not much difference between the Rondo 3 and Sonnet 2 internals to say one is better than the other.  Like the Sonnets AudioStream which uses BTLE, the Rondos could easily just use a BT dongle similar to the Telecoil adapter, but MedEl would need to make their own since the pins are special for the Rondos and it’s Telecoil adapter  and not exactly a commercial setup to them.  At that point it’d come down to whether one has an Android phone (ASHA support for Bimodal stream and more than one hearing device) or iPhone (no Bimodal support without the silly neck loop).  

[Dianna]

Oh cool, i did not know that rondo 3 could stream to my phone as the hearing aid, thank you for that john

[Mary Beth]

@John F

I consider Rondo 3 and Sonnet 2 processors to be the same platform.  They both have a newer advanced computer chip.  Both use two mics with ASM 3 adaptive intelligence features.

Here are some differences:

Rondo 3

* uses a telecoil adapter which mixes at 50/50 instead of a built in telecoil

* telecoil only must be set in a program by our audiologists if desired

* has a built in rechargeable battery

* has a form fitting waterwear cover- no extra bulk

 

Sonnet 2

* has AudioStream battery cover with BTLE direct streaming from phones/tablets

* has a disposable battery pack option 

* has removable rechargeable batteries

* has an integrated Roger receiver battery cover, Roger 21, option

* has the option of T only (100/0) or MT (50/50) in all program slots

[John F]

16 hours ago, Dianna said:

Oh cool, i did not know that rondo 3 could stream to my phone as the hearing aid, thank you for that john

Nah.  I said when/if MedEl creates a BT dongle then they’ll be able to for Android phones.

[John F]

16 hours ago, Mary Beth said:

@John F

I consider Rondo 3 and Sonnet 2 processors to be the same platform.  They both have a newer advanced computer chip.  Both use two mics with ASM 3 adaptive intelligence features.

Here are some differences:

Rondo 3

* uses a telecoil adapter which mixes at 50/50 instead of a built in telecoil

* telecoil only must be set in a program by our audiologists if desired

* has a built in rechargeable battery

* has a form fitting waterwear cover- no extra bulk

 

Sonnet 2

* has AudioStream battery cover with BTLE direct streaming from phones/tablets

* has a disposable battery pack option 

* has removable rechargeable batteries

* has an integrated Roger receiver battery cover, Roger 21, option

* has the option of T only (100/0) or MT (50/50) in all program slots

Was this directed towards me?  All I said was the Rondo 3 and Sonnet 2  Pmuch have the same internals.  And hypothesized what MedEl would need to do to give the Rondo 3 it’s own AudioStream-like attachment/dongle.  Already know the differences as have both.

[Mary Beth]

@John F

No my comparison of Rondo 3 and Sonnet 2 was not to provide information to you.  But in agreement with your comment that they are very similar processors.  With just a few differences.

Which one do you prefer wearing?

[John F]

1 minute ago, Mary Beth said:

@John F

No my comparison of Rondo 3 and Sonnet 2 was not to provide information to you.  But in agreement with your comment that they are very similar processors.  With just a few differences.

Which one do you prefer wearing?

I mainly wear my Rondo 3 cause for me, the Sonnet 2 feels a little bulky between glasses, masks and HA.  Plus, if I need to remove it for one reason or another, it’s easy enough.   I wear the Sonnet 2 indoors for all my streaming and reading aloud dealio.  I did wear it (Sonnet 2) to the movies (open caption goodness thanks to AMC) yesterday but mainly because I couldn’t locate the Rondo 3 as it had fallen off it’s slippery charging pad into the crevice of the bed somehow.

[Mary Beth]

@John F

Do you secure Rondo 3 when you wear it or do you feel comfortable wearing it without it being secured?

I secure my Rondo 1 processors when I use them in waterwear covers in or near water but do not secure them when they are not in waterwear covers.  One day while I was driving, I rested my head on the headrest in such a way that knocked my Rondo right off.  I pulled over and started looking for it.  Geez there is so much metal in cars for it to attach to.  I found it after a bit.  Made me be real careful with the headrests!

[John F]

3 minutes ago, Mary Beth said:

@John F

Do you secure Rondo 3 when you wear it or do you feel comfortable wearing it without it being secured?

I secure my Rondo 1 processors when I use them in waterwear covers in or near water but do not secure them when they are not in waterwear covers.  One day while I was driving, I rested my head on the headrest in such a way that knocked my Rondo right off.  I pulled over and started looking for it.  Geez there is so much metal in cars for it to attach to.  I found it after a bit.  Made me be real careful with the headrests!

I keep my hair pretty buzzed.  It’s pretty secure with a 5 magnet but when I let the hair grow out then it’s a little loose but still stays on.  Never used the snap thingies that can attach to it and shirt.  I’d imagine women with thick/long flowing hair can have more issues.