Hearing aid music accessories

There's a pricey solution with both Siemens and Rexton bluetooth hearing aids. Rexton does not have their latest product (Cobalt) listed on their website. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/bhmuem to see how they both work. I have the Rexton devices and they work with my TV and iPod Touch. All cables and transmitters are included.

Cheers

Hi Lisa,

I too have a severe hearing loss. The Siemen Tek system and my Rexton Cobalt system are basically the same except for price. Tek was introduced November 2008 and Cobalt was January 2009.

The iPod Touch or iPhone is connected to the remote control with a cable that's included. Transmission from the remote control to the hearing aids is through a wireless (Bluetooth) connection. Bluetooth phones, cellular and landline, are also connected through the remote control. The remote control has buttons to answer and hang up calls and a small speaker.

Another small transmitter, also included, has red and white RCA jacks that connect to a TV or stereo sound equipment. The transmitter connects wirelessly to your hearing aids that become headphones. There is a sound button on the transmitter that I'm still exploring. It seems to adjust the quality whereas the remote control can adjust the volume and treble settings

Both the remote device and transmitter have rechargeable batteries and come with two AC charging units. The battery in the remote control is replaceable, but I don't think the transmitter battery can be removed.

Treble and volume settings and programs (5 available) on the hearing aids are changed wirelessly with the remote. The BTE components also have a button that can change 4 of the 5 programs (not the cell or phone program). Volume and treble settings can only be made with the remote control. However, pressing one button on the BTE also changes the other BTE to the same setting. It pairs them automatically.

The sound quality is quite different from my previous hearing aids and it takes a while for adjustment. They provide more high frequency sound that was a pleasant surprise when I listened to a violin concerto on my car radio. I had not been able the string instruments like that for years. The sound can be disconcerting at first since the rattling of paper and similar sounds are now present.

A real bonus is that wind noise has been eliminated as the result of the new design.

The batteries in the hearing aids are smaller #312's and don't last as long as my previous #13's. I get 7 to 9 days depending on how much I listen to TV or or my iPod Touch.

Like all substitute devices, they're not perfect, but way beyond anything I had before.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, DGM

I'm not that familiar Phonak hearing aids, but it appears they have accessories that function similarly to my Rexton's. This would depend if your personal devices already have FM receivers. The manufacturer has some information here ( http://www.phonak.com/consumer/products/fm/whatisfm.htm) that may be helpful.

Cheers, dgm

Rexton Cobalt 16 hearings aids by seimans apparently are brand new. A writer has already entered some excellent detail. Costco is selling them for $3700 a pair. Some insurance, like BCBS, will cover half. Costco allows you to use them for 90 days and return if not satisfied. I am ordering them next week and will report back. There simply is no information out there for and from h/a users. I write to David Pogue at the NY Times every once in a while asking him to explore this technology but he has not replied. I looked at them. They are tiny with a choice of bright colors and the piece that goes in the ear is really tiny. My question is my IPOD does not have bluetooth. Is there something to add to it that gives it BT capability? I am thrilled about the possibility of not having to take out my H/As to use the phone or use one of my many expensive headsets. Helen

The Rexton Cobalt series is supplied with a cable that connects to both the iPod Touch/iPhone and the remote control device. The hearing aids become headphones. The quality is not that great, but you can hear through your iTunes music, videos, Pandora, AOL Radio, etc. Volume and treble settings are adjusted with the remote.

OK, I ordered them. I get them on thursday and i will report to you all. I am hoping this is a major step toward something close to normal hearing. Costco gives you 90 days to try or return for full refund. I told him if they aren't very good, a lot of people would know.

I'm new to using hearing aids, and the Rexton Cobalt aid has been recommended to me. DGM's comments are quite helpful, but before I take the plunge, may I ask if there are other comments about it? My hearing loss is not yet profound, but quite troublesome with higher ranges, in noisy situations, and dealing with the "mumbles." Thanks.

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I've been using hearing aids for 3 years. I was in denial for a decade, however. The Rexton Cobalts are a great improvement from my previous Rexton Calibra2 FreeD's. It takes some trial and error to arrive at the best configuration with the many variable settings that you can make. My hearing at age 72 stops at 3,000 and is rated as severe. My genetic background and several decades of work on airport ramps were a contributing factor.

The ability to raise the treble range and volume on the Cobalts has been a great asset for me. Hearing like someone with a normal range is not going to be the case with the technology that's available yet, but hearing it is.

Hope this will help .

DGM, my cobalt arrived, but since I am the first purchaser the guy forgot to get the ear mold so i am not wearing them yet. I'm still not clear on the concept. The booklet says it can be paired to only 1 cellphone at a time. Does that mean nothing else? So all other things that are bluetooth capable, still have to be wired to the little box yes? (and the bluetooth operation is between the box and h/a?) And if I am not listening to any devise, just walkin' around, I don't need the little box yes? And finally, the demo shows the person wearing the little box on a lanyard like a panic button. Can I keep in on a belt or in a my bag? Mine are RED. No more hiding behind faux flesh plastic.

I have used hearing aids for 30 years. I have bought them at Miracle Ear, at audiology department of a large HMO, Sears and Costco. I have worn BTEs and shells and have ordered bluetooth cobalts. Since you are new user, i would suggest that you consult with a few audiologists and see what they recommend. By and large it is snake oil sales. The profit in the industry is huge and the technology is relatively low. Think about the technology Apple can put into an IPOD for $300 compared with a $2k hearing aid. I have bought about 3 or 4 sets from Costco. Their prices are good and the 90 day full refund gives you the opp to feel it out and one year coverage for any loss is free. I will report back after I get my cobalts and use them for a week.

For a way low tech solution, Griffin makes something called Earjams. They are white thingies that clasp to the IPod ear bud. They improve the sound hugely. There are little rubber tips that come with the pkg, different sizes. They sell them at Radio Shack. Of course you have to remove your H/A but you get improved sound.

The link DGM gave us is extremely helpful. It is for siemans, and they show a product very close to Rexton Cobalt. Rexton website is really bad and has nothing about Cobalt. That makes me worry about their technology and paying $4k for their product. I am told that Sieman's makes Rexton's product. Is that true? I don't think I have ever seen a discussion board online like this. Does anyone know how to give it some attention?