starkey halo

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Hello Just 4fun,

I read the whole post. What a difference almost a year and OS updates make huh?

If you are still looking for a pair of stereo headset, consider trying the behind the head instead of over the head models. This way, you can swivel the headset up a bit so it goes over the mics instead of your hears. A good set should be well padded so if it does pinch, it does not hurt as much. I have a pair of HK CLs and I swivel them so the ear cups goves over the mics instead of my ears. IF you need to use a mono headset like a plantronics, you can do the same thing. Just move the ear piece over the mic instead of your ears. This is what I do and it’s comfortable.

According to Starky, the firmware adds better noise filteration and adds functionality between the Halos and Trulink. It’s doesn’t make the connection better, the IOS update did that. If you haven’t gotten the update, get it as it does make a difference. If your Halos still sounds tinny, ask your Audi to adjust your settings.

As far as streaming from your Mac to the Halos, I thought it was odd as well that it was not made available.

You can purchase a USB Bluetooth 4.0 adapter so the BT should not really be an issue. I checked out my Audi’s PC and she used the same thing to connect to my Halos. But of course, she had the Starky software. In the meantime, you can try experimenting with apps like Airfoil speakers and see what it does and if you can tweak it. (wink)

Enough babbling.

HTH and good luck.

raserror645,

Thank you! Your information was very helpful. I'm going to attempt to digest it all with a little research. Then, I will look at the options. It would be nice to be able to stream to the Halos from my Macbook. Have to figure out the BT 4.0 that you mentioned.

As you suggested, the Apple iOS update has helped some of the connectivity issues that I've had, but, in my case, it hasn't solved them. I still have to reset the iPad several times over the week. Sometimes several times in one day. That is frustrating when trying to get some work done. On the other hand, when the streaming works, it is much better sound than my t-coils ever gave me. I keep hoping the technology will improve with time. :-)

I still need to see my audiologist about the firmware update. Interesting about that. I would have thought that it would help deal with the connectivity issues. Still, in some ways it makes sense. Starkey is about helping us hear better and not so much, until recently, about device connectivity.

Thanks again,

-Rachel

Rachel - I talked with Starkey tech support shortly after I received my Halos about a year ago regarding streaming from my MacBook. It is not possible.

I got my Watch yesterday. Starkey has an app for the watch that is needed to work with the iphone and hearing aids. I haven;t made much use of it but it looks good and at first pass works. One has to have Trulink on the phone and the Watch app installed on watch. To do so one has to download the new version of Trulink, and then go to the watch app on iPhone and find Trulink there. Click it and then it gives the options to Show app on watch and in glances. I did both. I'll see if I need to.

I'd be happier if Starkey would tell me how to get auto switch to work for streaming to normal and back. Streaming Boost is a bust for me. My Audi set up streaming for me and we worked until I have quite good sound. The Streaming boost is not loud enough nor does it have good fidelity. Problem is Starkey seems to have the boost locked into any audio streaming so I have to switch every time to my setting and then back. The watch will make that easier. Plus now in church I can switch between my presets without looking like I am looking at my phone. People will think I'm just timing the sermon. It will take a while for them to figure out my watch has my messages and email on it.:)

Sorry to go off topic but am new to this forum and would greatly appreciate advice from your collective wisdom. I have read all of the posts, following your trials and disappointments as the technology improves. Thank you all. I recently had ear surgery on the right ear only, the ossicle bones were removed and I need to wait 9 months to have restorative surgery. The left ear has lesser issues however a hearing aid is required. I work as a server in a restaurant that is often very noisy and, without an aid, makes working impossible. I've go a temporary Oticon Alta Pro but I'm attracted to trying the Halo. Will it work well in one ear only? I have an iPhone 5 32GB with software iOS 7.1.2.. I am not running Yosemite on my iMac 2.7 Core i5 but have OS X 10.9.5. If I leave things as they are am I setting myself up for disaster? Should I install the latest software updates for the iMac OS and the iPhone? Would I be well advised to upgrade to the 6 or 6+ first?

Thanks everyone.

I have Yosemite and iOS 8.3. Upgrading to Yosemite will make your Mac more functional with your phone, but won't affect your hearing aids at all, since the aids will only talk with iOS not OS X.

That said, there were MAJOR improvements with the upgrade to iOS 8.3. I'd definitely recommend that.

I also have the iPhone 6 PLUS. The two reasons for going to the PLUS are SCREEN SIZE (for my old eyes) and PHOTOGRAPHY since it has a much better camera. There are no other differences. In my work, I take a lot of video clips (every day) and the OPTICAL STABILIZATION has been a Godsend.

I hope this has helped!

Jim Flannery

Unixman@Mac.com

Littleton, Colorado

Hi Jim, I have appreciated your considered and thoughtful comments over the life of this community conversation.

I was afraid the iOS upgrade would but too much strain on my IPhone 5 and its battery but I will do the upgrade to iOS 8.3.

I'll go ahead with Yosemite too for the phone functionality. I'll need to make due with the iPhone 5 for now. Because you didn't throw up any red flags to continued use of the older phone with the software updates, I'll do the upgrades and see what happens. I assume using only one aid won't affect performance substantially.

and yes, thank you for your helpful comments.

Cheers,

Gregory Groth

www.gregorygroth.com

Thank you, Greg. Yes, I don't see a problem upgrading iOS on the iPhone 5. It should serve you well. Using just one Halo won't present a problem with performance at all. Good luck on your surgery!

Jim

gratitude here Jim.

Thank you.

g

Hi, new to this forum. About to get new HAs (first time) and debating whether to get Halos or Linx2. Both seem to have streaming and pairing issues. Has anyone tried both?

Haven't tried the Lynx, and didn't know there was a Version 2. From people who have tried both, they found both to be excellent aids, but the Lynx (ONE) had battery life issues, so I didn't consider it.

I think that the PAIRING issues have been addressed by iOS 8.3. Mine have been paring and connecting WELL since 8.3, and the complaints on this board have dropped off.

STREAMING is another issue. There, we're looking at the BLUETOOTH specification and the very tiny antenna that can FIT inside the hearing aids. I stream VOICE podcasts every day, and find the streaming to be "adequate" for voice. Not great. Just adequate. I wouldn't try to stream music. Phone calls are A BLESSING with these aids. The QUALITY is lacking, but ADEQUATE. The blessing is that you hear the calls in BOTH EARS, which more than makes up for the lack of quality. That's where having a very PATIENT and COOPERATIVE AUDIOLOGIST is extremely important. You're going to want to make several trips back for TWEAKS.

Now, for the aids themselves, THEY ARE GREAT!!!!! The sound from the microphones is unbelievably EXCELLENT. CONTROLLING the aids with the iPhone is WONDERFUL. Note that I very seldom use the software at all, I just use the basic iPhone settings. That is fast and accurate, using a "triple-click" on the home button. Just "Click Click Click" and slide the volume up or down, or change "program" from say "restaurant" to "car" or "home" or whatever you choose to name your "programs." Your audi will work with you on setting those up.

I LOVE my Starkeys!

Jim Flannery

Littleton, Co.

Yes, mercboy, I've tried both Starkey Halos and Resound Linx. The halos lasted about a month with intermittent problems before they lost pairing completely with iPhone 5S. My audiologist has now given me some Linx to try but so far we have not been able to get them to even pair the first time (even when Apple replaced my iPhone). Needless to say they are also going back tomorrow and I will get my money back until these guys can produce a product that works as advertised.

IF anyone can genuinely solve this problem (not the solutions in these fora, I've tried all those multiple times), I will be eternally grateful.

Hello,

Sorry to hear about the problems you had with the Halos. Considering you had the same connectivity issue with the Linx, it is highly likely that the problem is with the iPhone.

What version of the IOS do you have on your iPhone 5? To be sure, you should have IOS 8.3, have the latest version of Trulink and updated firmware for the Halos. IF all those are true, the next step would be to make an appointment with the Apple Genius bar and specifically ask for someone familiar with accessability. AT your appointment, you can ask them to pair your Halos with another IOS device and see what happens.

My halos are paired to an iPhone 5, 6 and an iPad. The audio streaming works great up to about 25 feet then it starts to crackle. Music is also great since my audi tweeked it based on my music preference.

HTH and good luck.