Can't hear people with background noise

Liam2500 · 12-06-2025 11:00AM #1

Hi all,

About 2 years ago I because suddenly hard of hearing. But I can more or less hear what most people are saying if its a quiet room.

If there's any kind of background noise I can't hear what people are saying at all.

I bought Phonak hearing aids over a year ago - they help a bit but they're totally useless to me if there's a background noise.

Is there anything that can help in this situation?

Thanks!

TomOnBoard · 12-06-2025 02:13PM

What Phonak model HAs are they?

Background noise is one of the main challenges that modern HAs have yet to address. Phonak's most recent attempt is the Phonak Infinio Sphere that uses an additional AI chip to process incoming sounds and extract the noise from that sound. It's received some of the most positive reviews I've seen for hearing in noise. But some ppl have also had less useful experiences with Sphere.

There are also products in the Phonak Roger family that act as remote microphones in conjunction with the HAs that greatly help hearing in noise.

So, yes- there are things you can do to improve the situation. But everyone's situation is different so it's a case of needing to deal with your own audiologist to help solve it

Have you discussed the issue with your audiologist? Did they have any advice?

selenie · 12-06-2025 02:41PM

I’m in a similar boat to Liam2500. Quiet rooms are okay, but background noise just wipes everything out. I didn’t know about the Infinio Sphere, that’s interesting. I’ve also heard mixed things about AI in hearing aids, so it's good to hear it's getting some positive feedback, even if not across the board.

Liam2500 · 12-06-2025 03:00PM

The Phonak model is Audeo P90-R. There's a ton of options to tweak the sound, which I've played with but it doesn't seem to make any difference in terms of hearing people any better in different situations.

My journey has been from GP to Eye & Ear back to GP then to Specsavers for a hearing aid. I don't feel I've met anyone along the way that would give me advice other than to state the obvious that I've a hearing problem and the usual solution is to get HAs. Maybe I need to find an audiologist that can give me some better insight.

TomOnBoard · 12-06-2025 03:19PM

I also have Paradise. They're now 2 generations behind and, while they're great HAs, and as good as any others at the time, they're not great in speech-in-loud noise situations. Few HAs of the time are. These days, Phonak, Oticon and Starkey have made significant strides forward in the use of what they call deep neural networks in their HAs focused largely on the speech in loud noise conundrum.

Much depends on your hearing loss as well. The audiologist (assuming they are knowledgeable and care enough to try) has a multitude of settings they can use through the Phonak Target software that links to the P90s, to tweak them.

If you describe the types of setting in which you have the greatest difficulty, perhaps better advice can be given.

Have you a recent audiogram?

Liam2500 · 12-06-2025 03:31PM

I've an audiogram from 2 years ago from Specsavers showing sinusoidal loss at higher frequencies, so generally I can't hear consonants. I guess that's common for hard of hearing folk

Liam2500 · 12-06-2025 03:39PM

Agreed the Phonak Infinio Sphere looks interesting. I guess there's a risk there if it doesn't work out (its not cheap). I presume I can just google for an audiologist, I don't need to go back to Specsavers?

looksee · 12-06-2025 04:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123537835#Comment_123537835

Yes, I think that is also my problem, though not through Specsavers. I had my existing aids adjusted (Specsavers, I went to get new ones from a new audiologist, but she said I should try the adjusted ones before spending on new ones) and they improved somewhat, but I think I will be looking for more sophisticated ones. I am clueless as to what to ask for though and they are very expensive to experiment with. I think a lot of my problems are physical - fluid in my inner ear/sinus issues/tinnitus, but there does not seem to be anything to be done about it.

TomOnBoard · 12-06-2025 04:55PM

You don't need to go back to Specsavers.

That said, they appear to offer the lowest price for Phonak HAs in Ireland. They do offer a 'money back' guarantee if not satisfied. I think (but check) this allows you up to 3 months in which to make a final decision.

Boots Hearing are more expensive but do Phonak also.

A private audiologist will need to be more expensive again, as they don't have the same volume and buying power as Specsavers. However, where SS may limit the amount of time they give you (they shouldn't) Private Audiologists generally offer a more personal and possibly more caring service.

No matter who you use, insist on a Real Ear Measurement fitting of any new aids. If they won't or can't do that, move on to another one.

What part of the country are you?

Liam2500 · 13-06-2025 04:33PM

"What part of the country are you?" - Dublin area

TomOnBoard · 13-06-2025 06:54PM

Given that you're in Dublin, you've got the best possibility of getting a good audiology service.

I'd recommend you use Google Maps and Trustpilot reviews to try and find someone you can work with. Use the Specsavers pricing lists as a guide.

Ask for a Sphere FREE trial, and go from there.

Can't hear people with background noise

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