Phonak Reviews 120

My mother recently bought Phonak hearing aids model Audeo Paradise. While phonak seems to be one of the best in this industry we have one glaring issue that we would like resolved as soon as possible. I asked customer service at Phonak Canada whether the bluetooth feature/ airplane mode function could be looked into immediately due to how this currently operates.

We have concerns about bluetooth radiation what Phonak refers to and I quote from the product manual I viewed "low radiation." Whether my mom would be affected in time by this is unknown but I don't want to wait and see besides not all users are older. Here is an excerpt from my 26 email thread which customer support rudely has stopped responding too.

"So here's where my mom and I are at the moment. So far so good however while we appreciate airplane mode can turn off bluetooth doing so raises other concerns. One it's inconvenient and the process is tedious. Every morning pressing to turn off then pressing again to engage airplane mode. These two presses each day is 730 each year plus other functions. What does that work out to? 1000, 1500, 2000 or more each year. Just engaging airplane mode each day would be 7300 presses in 10 years. How many presses are these tiny delicate looking buttons rated for? Yes the warranty is three years but we are hoping to get 10-15 years or more out of them

Also right now placing the hearing aids in the charger resets airplane mode. As a result we can not put them in the charger when not in use which could decrease battery lifespan as well for safe keeping. Airplane mode should stay activated until we choose to deactivate it. If this can not be changed can Phonak extend our warranty for as long as we own the product to cover any issues related to the buttons and battery?

Better would be Bluetooth functionality changes separate of airplane mode where they power down when not in use after preferably a user selectable period. Say 30sec, 1 min, 2 min, 5 min, 10 min, 30 min, 1 hour or never. Sure waking up bluetooth would mean functions are not instantaneous but that's doable for us."

I also added the following suggestions.

"We also have a wishlist which we would like your company to take into serious consideration.

-MyPhonak app for computers.

-App function to turn airplane mode on at least and possibly off.

-Instead of tones or songs to indicate volume level or other function changes verbal messages.

-Verbal commands to control all important functions with button backup."

There reply was my suggestions would be forwarded to head office and I should contact the store whom we purchased them from regarding warranty in the meanwhile. Our store's answer was (I do not wish too include their name since I feel their hands are tied so to speak) that they had procured better warranty conditions already.

If you agree with my concerns please contact Phonak and or whomever may be able to fix this. If this matter gets resolved I will update my review and rating as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Gerry

Only had them a few days but so far I'm very pleased with them. The people who say that they can't pair their phones with the app should bear in mind that it's likely to be the phone that is the problem not the hearing aids. You do unfortunately need a fairly new phone no more than 3-4 years old and a good make such as pixel or Samsung. I can listen to u tube through my hearing aids and have hands free phone calls. Cool.

I've said it before this app has to be the worst app I've ever come across.

I reviewed my Phonak cros aid some months ago, commenting that app is truly awful.
I upgraded my phone and switched to an iphone. It has made absolutely no difference.
The contempt Phonak is showing to its customers and hearing aid users is disgusting.

My wife has new hearing aids from the NHS and they use this Phonak app and just like most of the other reviews getting them to pair is a real problem. My wife has made countless visits to get them sorted and she now wishes she kept her old ones. The audiologist has got fed up with her and just keeps palming her off telling her to contact Phonak who we also found to be quite useless.

After hours and hours, running into days of messing about with Phonak and blue tooth I have finally booked my appointment at Boots to hand them back and get my money back. If it were easy to get compensation for Phonak completely wasting my time..... I would. The claims they make about their product versus the reality are worlds apart. Never again.

I've had the myPhonak app for a week now - recommended by the audiologist. I've had to uninstall it and reinstall it over six times in that week! My hearing aids keep 'unpairing' and the app can't find them again, even if I close the program, unpair the aids, repair them and do everything else recommended. The only way to reconnect them is to install the app again. Shame, since it would have been useful to have all the controls easily at hand on my phone.

I downloaded the phonak app and tried for 3 days to pair my hearing aids with my android cell phone. I called customer service and an actual human being answered my cal and stayed with me for half an hour while we worked through the troubles with the app and ultimately uninstalled and reinstalled the app. I was very impressed with his patience and knowledge. Phonak looses a star, not for their technician, but for the kinks in the app.

Please don’t buy Phonak hearing aids.

First, the app is completely useless. Not able to connect to the app. Tried everything possible with no results. I deleted the app and reinstalled it several times. Still no use. For a company that charges $5000 for a pair of hearing aids, should be ashamed to provide this terrible app. And, while I am at it, the Bluetooth is very bad. The quality of the BT is similar to a BT headphones you buy from Walmart check out line for 3 dollars. I will never buy from this company ever again. Save your money and get you a different brand. It seems that they give good discount to the hearing aid offices, so they push it to customers. Please read reviews from different sources. That hardly get 2 stars.

I purchased a pair of hearing aids L90-R Fit From Boots, firstly let me say boots service is outstanding. So the hearing aids themselves are very good and the technology behind them is very good the app is easy to use and if anything has to much on it as its got equalisers and many sliding buttons to change the surrounding noise etc.
The Big thing to look out for is the gimmick that's the so called fit side of it, please do not buy these if you think it will record your steps with even a slight ounce of accuracy as it wont. I could spend a day in the office not able to get out and walk but this would clock up 10,000 steps and that's equal to about 5 miles just from moving in my chair, this then means the calories are inaccurate and so this part of them is totally useless. the heart monitor is very accurate and works well.
the only other point is that Phonak are not helpful as I've been trying through boots to pass my comments and they do not want to know. boots were so helpful they have now refunded me my 3k and i will be moving to Starkey for the new Genesis AI range.

Ponak's app does not function correctly. The hearing aids stay paired but does not connect so you have no control over volume and settings for sound control. I have to restart the phone for the aids to connect to the app. The sound is very good!

First pair of Phonak devices 4 years ago were good and did function well. The new pair (Dec 2023)"aproved" and "new generation" has a sharper sound, even as adjusted to my hearing. Starts slower. Trickier to adjust. The app is a disaster. Has installed and reinstalled more then 10 times. Somtimes it works, somtimes it does not. I am using my old pair until I can change the new "improved" devices. 😡 Lars , Sweden

I’ve got a set of phonak hearing aids three years ago they are the worst thing I have ever brought when I go in and out of shops they switch there self’s on and off I’ve got continuous feedback and I can’t have a conversation or go anywhere with noise I have had them rebuilt and there exactly the same as they were before phonak hearing aids from boots are a complete waste of money not fit for purpose

Nothing but problems ever since I got them; in fact, my hearing has actually significantly declined. The filter in the right aid keeps popping out inside my ear. Pairing with my phone was easy, but every one sounds like Alvin and the chipmunks. High pitched sounds (small children laughing) are like fingernails on a chalkboard; and loud booming sounds (motorcycles and big truck) makes my head feel like it’s going to explode.

I’ve dealt with constant problems for two years. The primary reason I haven’t switched is the cost. For what I paid, the devices should have a longer shelf life.

Simply put…Phonak hearing aids are crap and have not enhanced the quality of life one iota.

The cros aid is quite good.
The app isn't. I suspect it may be down to a phone software upgrade, because at first the aids connected with my phone. Now they don't, so phonecalls are not delivered into my ear as they were.
Any notification to my phone can now stop the link between the Phonak app and my aids, so I need to reconnect them.
Phonak, you must be able to sort this. Some of us don't want iPhones. Apparently the app was made for iPhone, then presumably adapted?? Please, get it sorted.

Just over 12 months ago, I had a hearing test at Boots. I was informed that the Phonak hearaid was the ‘special’ of the month. It came with a 50% discount on the second aid plus extra discount. I was offered no alternative. Unfortunately, for me I fell for this offer and only later found that my ‘discounted’ price was only £50.00 less than Specsavers standard price! Message to others, check prices before signing any agreement.
Since then I have had problem after problem with the aids malfunctioning and one having to apparently have any parts replaced! Just having started a really specially anticipated cruise - guess what! I have yet again got a non working aid! Please note, if you don’t want an experience like mine - avoid Boots hearing centres and phones hearing aids!!!

The Bluetooth bit leaves a lot to be desired. I've only had the hearing aids two weeks but, already I'm fed up with the
fact that the custom programme drifts back to auto when someone texts me etc. I turned Do not disturb on my phone but then I miss messages.Since I disabled the Bluetooth I'm liking my hearing aids a lot more. The clarity is good, I can do without the Bluetooth.

As a younger user of hearing aids, the Phonak Audeo P90s initially held promise, but my experience has been marked by a series of frustrating issues. I'm Ronnie Frey, and I'm compelled to share my disappointment after extensively exploring solutions to the problems I've encountered.
While I genuinely appreciate the core functionality of the hearing aids themselves, I must express my extreme disappointment in Phonak's response to the persistent connectivity issues plaguing these active vents. Regular disconnections from Bluetooth and erratic shifts into streaming mode, even when not connected to any device and my phone is off, have significantly impacted the overall usability.
Collaboration with the esteemed Hearing Health Center, one of the nation's premier medical institutions, aimed to resolve these challenges. The Hearing Health Center exhibited an exemplary commitment to assisting me throughout this ordeal, a gesture I value immensely.
Recently, Phonak provided me with new titanium tips to address the shortcomings, but unfortunately, they fail to mitigate the occlusion effect—a phenomenon where my ears feel plugged and my natural voice is distorted. Given the substantial financial investment in these active vents, the ongoing issues and the disruptions they introduced into my daily routine have rendered them a source of great irritation.
Regrettably, my frustrations were exacerbated when these hearing aids abruptly entered streaming mode during my father's funeral, despite my phone being disconnected. Shockingly, Phonak's response placed blame on my phone, asserting their product's flawless performance. This response struck me as deeply disappointing and unprofessional.
I find it necessary to warn others against purchasing these active vents. Their inability to function reliably and the persistent irritations they introduce into daily life make them an ill-advised choice. I had held Phonak in high esteem, but recent events have cast doubt on the company's dedication to their patients and users.
Moreover, the performance of their accompanying app leaves much to be desired. Functionality issues and a general lack of reliability further compound the frustration of using their products.
In conclusion, my experience with the Phonak Audeo P90s active vents has been far from satisfactory. Despite my initial optimism, ongoing connectivity problems, the occlusion effect, and a disappointing response from the company have led me to advise strongly against their purchase. It is my sincere hope that this review serves as an honest account for those considering these hearing aids.

MAJOR frustration! - ONGOING!
First pair of Phonak Audéo P50-RT (bought April 2022) lasted just over 11 months ..
Returned and eventually replaced 6 weeks later.
Wonderful Customer service? (Plainly a manufacturing fault).
FIRST couple of weeks one failed and a further 10 days before replacement - several days later 2nd one failed - eventually replaced! ! ! ! (Confirms manufacturers fault?)

A constant interrruptrion to what used to be a happy life.

NOW! on a SUNDAY I cannot connect Right earpiece again . . . . . despite following (for the umpteenth time) the prescribed process of cancelling App; Bluetooth and Pairing THEN reinstalling App and connecting/pairing each unit - only to find there is a fault.

WHO can help me I have paid several THOUSANDS of pounds for very poor service and very poor product ?

Does anyone else have similar experience and resolution - PLEASE?

I am at my wits end.

Quality of life is being seriously eroded, e.g. tennis this morning was embarrassing as I could not hear other players comments . . .
In my 70s I am 'digital' experienced and reasonably competent BUT this should be a simple process - interesting to note that the App STILL only has 2 stars !? -

My Audiologists have tried to be sympathetic are VERY helpful but are at the mercy of PHONAK - a lesser competent person would lose their mind over this!

My wife cannot believe this is acceptable and with no direct contact with the company ( who hide behind the Audiologists) WHO can one turn to for resolution ???

Phonak seem to be above being 'interested' in such matters but its is such a personal issue that is eroding MY quality of life Do Phonak really care?

Phonak are you listening ? BECAUSE I CAN’T.

My mother bought these from Boot,s 3 years of bad experience the app on android is a disgrace, the cost of these is a total rip off. Just think about the technology in a pair of noise cancelling headphones for £400.
Avoid at all costs