starkey halo

Now I know what you are talking about with connectivity! I could not get my i110's to pair with the left one. Also, while talking on a phone, the left one rebooted itself 4 times in a row. Now all of this occurred after the iOS update for my iPad Air. The Trulink app still will not come up!

Starkey reps need to be on top of iOS updates and have Trulink fix the app.

Most people will not enjoy this level of user interaction with apps, iOS updates, hardware settings and their hearing aids. If you produce an iphone enabled product, it should just work, period. Starkey, you need to poll the users fast before your product gets damaged by user comments in forums.

One thing that *might* help is to call Starkey's toll free number (800-328-8602) in order to give your input to a Starkey rep. When I told the rep that I was also having many connectivity issues, he acted semi surprised. He said that they have had a few calls, but not that many. I told him, that, in turn, surprised me since I've read many problems with the connections online. Go Figure. Anyway, if it is true that Starkey isn't getting a lot of feedback, they need to know. I also noticed that the Trulink app hasn't been rated. I wondered about that too. Hmmm.

Great idea about contacting Starkey. I did, since I'm running out of patience, I sent them the log of errors that Trulink captures. This is what they sent me back:

"The TruLink app relies on the iPhone maintaining a solid Bluetooth connection between itself and the hearing aids. What we have found to typically be the root cause for the Trulink App appearing not to find the hearing aids, resulting in a spinning icon, is that the Bluetooth connection is not in place. Unfortunately the reason for the Bluetooth connection issues are not visible to us - these are under iPhone control."

Da? When I use the Duffer's fix mentioned above it works like a charm. However doing this 5 times a day is nuts in this day and age and where we are with technology.

Then again, maybe that's the problem: the bluetooth and hearing aid coupling was not ready for prime time!

frank

Frankeric,

I ABSOLUTELY agree. My vote is definitely, "Not ready for prime time." All the same, it is about how well we are able to hear. With the Halo, I've heard things that I haven't heard for a very long time. One morning a bird was singing so loudly outside the house that I was in total awe. Yes, I hear some birds, but, generally, not at that level. LOL I also heard a partial conversation between two people that were seated nearby. I can't remember that has ever happened to me before! From what I've read, none of the iPhone Hearing Aids are working well with Bluetooth.

Personally, as I mentioned, I hate to see the move away from the inclusion of telecoils in hearing aids. Sure, we can still get aids that include the coils, but I'm wondering for how long. That said, at this point anyway, this is the new bandwagon. Even the Oticon hearing aids now have an app. It is only a bridge app to their connect link control but, it is still an iPhone app. Actually, I like the idea of keeping some of the old tech in place for those who don't mind using some accessories. It just seems more flexible. There are a lot of other issues to deal with when you go RIC. As an example, Starkey has to fix any shortening of the ear wire. So you have to send them the hearing aids and after 90 days, you get a bill. With my old Phonek aids, I just went into my Audi and had the tubes adjusted. If the Oticon aids that I'm trialing now didn't give so much feedback, I'd stick with them even though I don't like them nearly as much as the RIC Starkey. BTW, you probably know that Starkey has an S3 series that are just the same as the Halo, but they have the surflink accessories. I considered this line, but decided against it after reading all kinds of complaints regarding--bluetooth connectivity.

The Oticon Chili (I'm demoing now), have very strong telecoils that work well. They have the connectlink accessories and iPhone app. For me, the sound quality sounds more "normal"--whatever that is. I don't hear as well with them though. Starkey sound is "tinny" to my ears, but I'll deal with it to get to hear more. I also like the Halo footprint a lot better. They are so comfortable that I don't know they are there. That is why I'm going with Starkey. At this point, it has nothing to do with the iPhone. In fact, the iPhone is probably a drawback. I am hoping to find some work arounds for the related issues. I'm also hoping that with iOS8, something will change. What can I say, I'm a hopeful person. ;-) I also use texting and rarely speak on the phone so that isn't as critical for me as for most people. Although many of my hearing friends tell me they have connectivity issues with Bluetooth too.

I think we are going to see a lot more cross finger pointing now that we have to deal with two companies. In this case Apple and Starkey. Really a shame. That "marriage" brings forth a lot of questions regarding the future, trends, support, and so on. It is an interesting time.

Great discussion here. I hope people will post their experiences with any and all of the hearing aid companies. Keep us posted on what you finally decide to do. Rebooting 5 times a day would make me NUTZ. That is why I sent the Halos back and decided to try the Oticon. But after all is said and done, the Halos, with all their drawbacks, seem to help me hear better.

I Visited my audiologist this morning, we discussed Bluetooth connectivity and the rebooting 5x and App functions. I had my default hearing levels increased 20 points, and had some Base level increased because they sounded tinny. Now, I will not rely on the Trulink app connecting and just use Apple settings. My rebooting 5 times may have been the result of the Apple iOS upgrade, I have not had issues connecting since that time.

Thanks for the info Ken,

I'm going to my Audiologist tomorrow morning. I will be taking delivery on the Halos. This information should help out. I will ask her to increase the Base level some. I found the Starkey's too tinny also.

Regarding Bluetooth connecting or re-connecting once the device is back in range. I have had Bluetooth technology devices and phones since 2005. This has included Bluetooth hands free headsets by Plantronics, and hands free in my Chevy Impala and currently via UConnect in my 2008 Chrysler 300. All have automatically connected and disconnected my phone when in range or once leaving range. Starkey Halo should do the same thing. It is all the same technology.

Here are the issues I have had in the 1st two weeks or my trial with Starkey Halo (these are my first hearing aids)

1. They went through a new set of batteries in 3 days. REALLY?!?

2. Twice they just rebooted on their own. As in I am sitting watching TV and all the sudden the chime when they start up rang in both ears.

3. Constantly have to go into iPhone 5S to reconnect.

4. MOST recently they will not connect to my iPhone. I have tried everything on here, what Starkey tech Support told me to do, what my audiologist told me to do, everything I could find or have on Starkey Halo. At best I get either one to connect but not both. I even deleted the TruLink App and re-installed it.

As it is the weekend and my audiologist is on vacation I have had to go with either no hearing aids or they are blaring loud as I can not connect to the iPhone to adjust them/ Of course Starkey Tech Support has no # listed any place and customer service is closed.

$7,000.00 dollars about to be tossed into the Connecticut River and Starkey & audiologist can go fish them out.

JJMeyer

So what is your learned conclusion, is it that the HA bluetooth connectivity is faulty?

I'm on my 30th day and have 15 to go to test to see if my hearing is helped with these Halo's, which I believe it is. But like you the connection issues are driving me crazy. Last night I needed to mute them because the restaurant was very loud, no big deal. Except when we left I pulled out the 5c and the left had disconnected! What? Now I can't un-mute them. When I tried the right one the app went down and the wheels started turning. So the routine is once again to turn off the iPhone and start over. I'm sure that if I took the HA's off and opened the battery doors that this also would have worked but I refuse to do this; should not have to either.

Thank God this at least works. Also, unlike the Linx trial, changing the batteries every 2 days, the Halo batteries are lasting 7 days. I pushed them and got to 9 before the little guy started telling me to change the batteries, but 7 seems to be my magic number. One more bother some item, and this is related to the bluetooth, my iTunes sometimes scream and I need to shut it down and start over. Could be the signal getting the iPhone is crappy / the bluetooth is crap.

Ug, yeh the $6k bothers me too. But I guess if my hearing is better that's all I can hope for. False advertising?

frank

Hmmm, well I went ahead and had Starkey return the Halos that I was trialing. I had sent them back due to all of the bluetooth connectivity problems, but after fighting with Oticon Chillis that I trialed next, I found that I was much happier with the hearing that the Halos gave me. I like the Halo footprint. I've even tried some headphones at Best Buy. They actually worked over the top of the Halos. Not quite as comfortable as the tele coil loop, but workable. I decided to continue with the Halos due to my, seemingly, much improved hearing. The Bluetooth has actually been much better the second time around. I still get some disconnects, but sometimes all I have to do is turn flight mode off and on. What works best for me is to turn the iPhone off at night, turn the Halos off at night. Then, in the morning, turn on the iPhone. Then turn on the Halos. This seems to keep the connection fairly well throughout the day. I also try to keep the phone nearby. That said, it still isn't a perfect world.

Things that I'm enjoying:

WOW! I can turn the TV volume down to about 8 or 9! (Never in my life did I think I could do that.) I use the Auditorium setting and the TV booms out in my ears. Of course the background noises are also intensified. Like I said, it is not a perfect world.

I also am amazed by the way the Halos stream directly to my ears. That too is amazing for me. I only have a 4s (waiting for the 6) so I get mono but it is still amazing. Youtube videos and the works. Did I say, "WOW"?

I also like the lightness of the Halos. They don't weigh heavy on my ears. In fact, much of the time, I don't even notice them.

I've been locked into text for so long that these features for my severe/profound loss are fantastic. OK. the Halos sure aren't perfect. I guess bluetooth isn't perfect even for "hearing" people. When I complain about the connection problems, they complain right back. LOL.

Bottom line for me is the quality of hearing. The Halos have made the birds sound like they are on megaphones. I'm happy with that.

What I don't like, I've expressed in previous posts. I have concerns about having to send everything back to Starkey for minor tweaks to ear molds or ear wires. Two weeks is a LONG time for someone like me who depends on hearing aids to be a part of the audio world. I'm also a little worried about the ear filters. Hoping they do a good job so the interior of the Halos don't get moisture build up.

I do wish it would be a perfect world for us. All the $$$$ that we spend should make it so, but "it is what it is".

I just don't get it. Why doesn't Starkey just come out with a statement about connectivity? Seems to me if Apple and bluetooth and the hearing aid manufactures just got together and resolved this issue they would all benefit, more $$$$ from more users, by fixing all these issues, IMO.

Also, can someone explain how music like iTunes get to the iPhone then to my HA's? I would like to know where the loud screeching sound comes from when I walk in the morning and try to listen to iTunes. Is it wifi, bluetooth, or another type of transmission.

thanks for all these comments:Nice to know I'm not alone. I sent this link to my Dr of Aud since she keeps telling me I'm the only one with these connectivity issues, really?

frank

Frank,

AFAIKT, you are DEFINITELY not alone. Check out this link: http://www.hearingaidforums.com

There is a thread related to the Halo's. Many more folks there who are complaining related to connectivity. The thing that I now love (note of facetiousness here) is that we have two companies to deal with. Each can point their finger at the other in terms of fault finding. It makes it even more difficult for those of us who depend on our Hearing devices to connect with the world. I do have hope that eventually this will all even out. When I do app development, it isn't always smooth sailing. Just hope that Starkey and Apple get on top of the difficulties. Maybe iOS 8 will improve things.

You asked about streaming to your hearing aids. Not sure how to answer this. Mine just automatically do it when, for example, I have a youtube video running on the iPhone. Same thing with calls. Maybe someone else can jump in and help.

OK Frank,

I think I've found an answer to your question regarding streaming, but... I suspect you already know this. Just in case you don't:

Turn your iPhone off. Turn your halos off. Turn your iPhone on. Turn your Halos on. (if this doesn't seem to show the correct options as mentioned below, do a new paring with your iPhone before you check the settings)

Go to the iPhone's Settings --> General --> Accessibility --> Hearing Aids --> "Your Name Hearing Aids (Starkey Halo )" ---> Make sure that "Stream to right hearing aid" and "stream to left hearing aid" are turned on (this is assuming you have the 5S. The 4S will only stream to one ear.)

After setting these options correctly, your iPhone should automatically stream sound to your Halos. -HTHs

Sitting here with my HA's and being ****** off about the connectivity problems, I sent this to the Starkey tech who told me that there is nothing wrong with the app but that it is an Apple & bluetooth problem. Here is what I sent:

Good morning. After reading the Apple discussions re:Halo connection issues I realize that your comment needs testing.

So I went to my local Apple store and paired as many bluetooth items that I could find with my iPhone 5C. I moved out of the store and in some cases event went home and then came back. The iPhone paired within 4 seconds of being in range to the devise I was using.

So my conclusion is that the issue is with the HA/app and not the iPhone. I’m on day 30 of trials and I’m still having issues.

For example, a very typical day in the life of…, the iPhone has been in my pocket for over an hour, it was paired and the TruLink was up and showing full batteries and the mute and un-mute worked just fine.

When I took it out of my pocket the left HA, it usually is the left / both, was not linked to the app.

I went through the routine of shutting off the bluetooth, closing all apps, and starting over. Now when I start the app both HA's are not connected. No matter what I do they are not seen by the iPhone app.

However the iPhone's 3 quick home key clicks show that I am connected! I now assume it is the app that is the issue.

Then, and this is the only way to remedy the app not connecting, is to SHUT THE IPHONE DOWN, START IT BACK UP, MAKE SURE THE BLUETOOTH SEES THE HA’S AND THEN AND ONLY THEN BRING UP THE APP. This works 100% of the time.

We need this explained clearly and in layman’s terms ASAP.

I and others are suffering through this with no support from either Starkey / Apple. My next stop is a review of what is going on in the media.

Very frustrated, frank

Feel free to send your own comments/copy mine to: LeeAnn_Esse@starkey.com

Hi all. I asked this question and I still need an answer. I just tried to stream iTunes to the HA's and the screeching was driving my crazy.

thanks!

Also, can someone explain how music like iTunes get to the iPhone then to my HA's? I would like to know where the loud screeching sound comes from when I walk in the morning and try to listen to iTunes. Is it wifi, bluetooth, or another type of transmission.

frank

Frank,

Your iTune music, video, podcast and such are on your iPhone. Streaming iTunes Radio, pandora and such stream to your iPhone via WiFi or your phone data plan. No different than streaming from your desktop, laptop or tablet.

to get any audio from your iPhone, iPad or iPod the HA 's and the devices uses Bluetooth technology. No different than hands free in your vehicle or Bluetooth head set.

As for the screeching I wish I knew or could help you. I have a white sound and ting/reverberating issues.

May I suggest going to your audiologist and/or speaking with Starkey Technical Support and Apple.

JJMeyer