Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio Hearing Aid Review

[@Ziphearing]

Thanks for all the views and comments folks! When you're ready to try or buy Phonak Sphere, please consider supporting the channel by checking out our offers over at our website: www.ziphearing.com/phonak-audeo-sphere-infinio? and be sure to mention the promo in the video :)

[@RCCM27]

I’m a year out (from my workman’s comp) hearing aid change out but am already drooling after watching the ‘Sphere’ video reviews. My provider has tested these and said it’s as good as stated. I told him to get the paperwork ready cause on day one of eligibility, I want to be wearing them. Great video. God Bless.

[@dogit5988]

I’m into my second week with the audio sphere hearing aid. They are amazing and I’m hearing things my previous devices never picked up. I thought the large size would be an issue, but never noticed a difference. The app works great, and find I never use it because the aids adjust automatically to high noise environments. I would highly recommend these devices!

[@Ziphearing]

I certainly feel the same way! Much more to say about this in our upcoming review! Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe for more! kzbin.info?sub_confirmaton=1

[@boywithastyle7747]

Zip hearing makes very good clear informative videos 👍

[@Ziphearing]

Thank you!

[@TheRetroRoadshow]

Great video - thank you! By any chance, have you heard when Phonak will be introducing in-the-ear (rather than behind-the-ear) Audéo Sphere Infinio's? I've been told "early next year" but that could mean almost anything...

[@jeffj318]

Great video and information, Jeff. 👏

[@Ziphearing]

Thanks so much for the kind comment and thanks for watching :)

[@bobbray4696]

Update for veterans. The VA did get the new infino platform! But did not get the ric sphere or the rechargeable in the ear as of yet. Will likely get them in May 2025!

[@Ziphearing]

Thanks for the update! Always good to hear about the VA getting new models!

[@Gskroll]

I think I understand correctly(?) that Bluetooth LE Audio is foundational to Auracast. Does the plan for future availability of Auracast mean that LE Audio support would be provided as well? That might be significant as reduced power demand for Bluetooth may mitigate the battery concerns associated with Sphere processing.

[@Ziphearing]

Honestly it was hard to get a well-informed and straight answer from Phonak on that, but from everything I’ve read and know, yes, I believe you are correct.

[@ce4d]

I wondering the difference in the Sphere Infinio 90 vs 70. I've not found videos on a comparison of the 2.

[@Ziphearing]

None :)

[@ce4d]

@@Ziphearing price point is better for sphere infinio 70. But it is hard to find which is better. Is it worth paying the extra for the 90? The audiologist suggested I probably would not see much difference in 70 and 90. But both have the same technology, but the 90 has a little more.

[@Ziphearing]

@@ce4d I guess it depends on their prices. Is it $2,000 better? I dunno. Through us the Sphere 90 is only $600 more for the pair, and I would 100% definitely pay that to get the 90. You want the best performance in noise, and the Spheric Speech Clarity feature works better on the 90 than the 70. www.ziphearing.com/phonak-audeo-sphere-infinio

[@russtanton3141]

Jeff, another great video! I have had opportunity to test and compare to my Lyrics. No hype about their benefit of clarity of speech in noise. Obviously, this is not a strength of analog aids such as Lyrics, but I have tested numerous RIC units and still use my Insio AX7. The Sphere is much, much better. I have found most RIC units okay for left/right orientation, but they are useless for up/down. With their mic placement further apart vertically this is improved… not sure this was an intentional design or just accident based upon the Spheres size. UTC The only future proof feature they lack is using MEMs to replace traditional mics and speakers.

[@Ziphearing]

Great comment, totally agree with everything you said, MEMs will probably start being used in the next few years. Thanks for watching Russ

[@DanAshleyWork]

@ziphearing Jeff, You mentioned that a church could simply attach an Auracast device to the church's sound system to enable local broadcasting within the church. I am on the technology committee of the little church I attend. How can I find out more about obtaining such an Auracast device? Can you point me to a link? I can take it from there

[@Ziphearing]

Which hearing aid model do you have?

[@DanAshleyWork]

This would be for all the congregants in the church. I am on the technology committee and we have some headsets we hand out. As for me personally, I temporarily wear PSAPs purchased OTC from Sound World Solutions but have an appointment with an audiologist and MD next month.

[@Ziphearing]

@@DanAshleyWork Ah, unfortunately it's going to be 3-5 years (best guess), until the majority of congregants have Auracast-compatible hearing aids. You're a bit early, there are very few aids on the market that would even work as of today :/

[@DanAshleyWork]

The thought would be to sunset the handing out of headsets, and broadcast using Auracast. (If it does not cost yoo much.)

[@Ziphearing]

@@DanAshleyWork Got it. Auracast transmitters don't cost much, few hundred max. Survey your existing hearing aid wearers asking them their make/model. Take that list and do a Gooogle Search like "Model x + Auracast" and see which (if any models) are compatible. Once you have a few members with auracast-compatible hearing aids, then you can start making the switch and some congregants can use the tcoil system, and others can use Auracast.

[@markhodgkinson151]

Have you noticed they don’t automatically pair to a Bluetooth desk phone if you leave a room then return to your desk?

[@Ziphearing]

I didn't try that particular setup, but if for example I went out of range of my cell phone and then came back into range, it would automatically re-pair

[@markhodgkinson151]

@ thank you for replying. I paired a clients Phonak Audeo Sphere with her Yealink T54W Bluetooth/ Wi-Fi desk phone. She also uses a Jabra Bluetooth headset which is paired to her PC and the desk phone. The Jabra headset automatically pairs to her desk phone when she returns to her office but the Phonak doesn’t, yet…obviously it would be inconvenient / impossible to leave her hearing aid in her office just to maintain the Bluetooth connection between her Phonak Audeo Sphere and her Yealink T54W desk phone. So I’m hoping we find a cure for her.

[@andyf5992]

Thanks for the video. I know you skipped CROS option for this video, however assuming you reviewed it too. So, how will it improve things for SSHL sufferers, above and beyond current top-grade Phonak Cros HA options? Is a custom-closed dome Sphere in normal hearing ear required to have any effectiveness in background noise? Appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

[@Ziphearing]

CROS isn't compatible with Sphere...just making sure you saw that. So you'd have to buy the non-Sphere model, which is only a little better then the previous generation Audeo Lumity model. Battery life is improved in the new CROS, that's all I can say confidently.

[@campbellva]

I'm on day 7 trialing the Spheres and have a question. My audiologist doesn't recommend adding a manual program to invoke spheric mode, primarily because people will tend to over-use it. Do you recommend adding one, and is that some standard program that's easily added through the Phonak software? Are there other standard programs? My Sphere's have Automatic, Restaurant, Music and TV. Would one of these have to be removed to add a manual Sphere program? Is Music for listening to music through my phone (which I don't do). I mostly listen to podcasts, audiobooks, and KZbin videos. Thanks for the informative video.

[@Ziphearing]

I speak on this in my full review, check it out if you haven't: www.ziphearing.com/phonak-audeo-sphere-infinio? In short, personally if I was to use these, yes, I'd want that program, b/c I like being able to switch into that if the hearing aids don't on their own. The downside is, you have to remember to switch back out of the program when you're done or your battery will drain quickly.

[@jmoore3854]

My insurance will not cover the level 90 Tech it only covers the level 70. Is there a chart that shows how much they downgraded the speech enhancer and what the differences are between the 70 and 90 tech.

[@Ziphearing]

Thanks for the question! Check out our site and read through the page to see the differences in the tech levels! www.ziphearing.com/phonak-audeo-sphere-infinio?

[@lionmangolf]

I'm wearing mine 18 hrs a day and not falling below 50 %

[@Ziphearing]

Oh that's awesome to hear, I hope that holds up, but yeah we're hearing good things from our customers so far.

[@tomhogan9761]

Same is true for me.

[@peterray7523]

Same here

[@chuckswenson8044]

Where are you located? And if I order one through you what would be the process of getting them tuned to my ears Cuuck

[@Ziphearing]

Hi! We're nationwide :) You can click the "get started" button on this page to see if there are providers near you: www.ziphearing.com/phonak-audeo-sphere-infinio? If so, send your # through and we'll call you within minutes and review the process, or feel free to read how it works here: www.ziphearing.com/#common-questions-section

[@richardhubbarduk]

I echo the positive results others have reported when using this hearing aid. I have found them very good. I followed up with Phonak for when Auracast would be made active on the device and was told: Although our micro chips are Auracast ready, there is no future plans to include this feature in any of our products. Regards Phonak Team That was a bit disappointing to hear, I wonder if anyone has found a workaround to receive Autracast and send it to the hearing aid using normal Bluetooth?

[@orientex]

I’m interested to buy but your website doesn’t work when I enter my zip code. Can someone contact me or give a way to contact you. Thanks!

[@Ziphearing]

Hm, definitely want to get to the bottom of that, thanks for telling us! Call us Monday and we'll figure out what's up: 800-731-6794

[@williamodonnell4774]

I currently wear the phonak lumity. Problem with disconnecting a lot. My older resound HA ALWAYS CONNECT ina few seconds with no problem.I have ear moles so difficulty putting them in charger which is too small/ crowded. Has phonak related to this problem with the phonak sphere? Also not particularly happy with Myphonak app. Nevertheless I’m impressed with what appears to be a significant update in technology and may consider trying the phonak sphere.

[@lindyloulie80]

I am having problems with my Audeo Sphere Infineo 90I hearing aids staying connected - to the point where I have stopped wearing them. 😡 In my earlier post I mentioned that maybe this could be due to an incompatibility problem with my Android phone. Just now I tried connecting them with my iPhone. Same problem. The hearing aids won't stay connected. And so, they will live in the case. I will see if I can return them. 🤨

[@Ziphearing]

Hi there! I am a current user of the lumity 90, and am making a video of the Infinio Sphere as I write this. I have not experienced the disconnecting issues with either hearing aid and have owned the Lumity's for a few years now. I would suggest bringing them to your hearing specialist! He or she may be able to spot the problem and make an adjustment in the programming or, if you are still in warranty, they can be sent back for a repair if needed! Thanks for watching and thanks for the comment! Be sure to subscribe! kzbin.info?sub_confirmaton=1

[@MrGrackley]

Do they work with Android phones and tablets?

[@Ziphearing]

Yep!

[@bobbray4696]

Do a comparison between phonak infino (non sphere), oticon intent, an starkey ai

[@Ziphearing]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oITcpp9_eratZ9U

[@freddieslaughter1107]

Way too much cost for the average person on a limited income.

[@Ziphearing]

That is certainly a valid point. These HA's are not going to be ideal for everyone based on the pricing. However, there is a secondary model of the infinio that is not part of the "sphere" line. Head over to the site and check out the infinio line up! www.ziphearing.com/phonak-audeo-infinio?

[@johnbrews9724]

It would be helpful to comment on the software and the documentation provided with the Phonak Spherical Infinity I90. Simply put, it stinks! Compared to a built for iPhone hearing aid like Resound, Phonak is back in the Pleistocene Era. The MyPhonak App lacks detailed guidance, and it is unreliable and hard to use. For example, no discussion in the App nor in the User Manual tells you how to activate the directional surround sound feature, nor how to activate the noise suppression in a raucous environment. You are left with putting the aids in Automatic mode and hoping it will look after you. Besides that, the pairing feature is on-again off-again.

[@HonStuartK]

This wasn’t a real review. It’s just repeating what Phonak claims and a teaser to watch some other video of theirs that won’t be out for weeks. So just click bait. Even the demo is just the same one everyone else has - just a week or 2 after the others.

[@jeffj318]

It's a very helpful video to go over all the points. Who cares if everyone has covered the same type of information?

[@Ziphearing]

Thank you for the input! We are about to get our User Review video up and cannot wait to hear what Nick has to say about it! He really put these HA's through their paces and surely has a lot to say!

[@HonStuartK]

@@jeffj318 I don't object to the information provided, what I objected to is calling it a "review" of the hearing aids. It isn't. A review is them using it/testing it and this isn't that. I see their real review is coming out, and I will watch it. It was very disappointing, and I felt misleading, i.e. "click bait" to call this a review.

[@lindyloulie80]

You're right. This is like all the other so-called "reviews" from other vendors and audiologist. I purchased the Audeo Sphere hearing aids based on the video supposedly demonstrating the dramatic improvement in speech-in-noise feature. I was sooo excited. It was a bust. My experience was the exact opposite. The background noise was amplified to the point were I couldn't hear a thing the person in front of me was saying. These so-called "reviews" are nothing more than sales hype.

[@JRock-vf4fw]

It's a very informative video. Thank you! I will definitely get the Sphere model soon. I have the Fed BC/BS, and in January, my FSA will kick in again. Hopefully, I can still get the second charger then.🦻🏻

[@Ziphearing]

You can! And we'll help with your Fed BCBS claim as well :) Thanks for watching!