Review of the Phonak Icom Hearing Aid system (pls read Description!)
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NOTE: I am on my 3rd iCom – first two replaced by Phonak with broken wire (that goes around neck). It weakens slowly from movement. Also, since upgrade to iOS 4, it crackles badly and is unusable with my iPhone. Since it worked before upgrade with iPhone, and also with Palm Centro and HTC G1 (original Android phone) this probably isn’t Phonak’s fault. Still a useful device, but it EATS batteries! Also, several people have told me my on-call clarity is poor, but the device *is* about at my sternum, far away from my mouth, so if you use it in loud places it’s not going to work at well. You kind of have to pick your spots, but I still think it’s worth it if you really need it. If you can, try one for a week before you buy it. — In response to a private message question “18 months after creating the video are you STILL happy with the iCom” I replied in part: “I’d say that I’m *somewhat* happy with it. I’ve had two break on me (the wire that goes around the neck) and though I’ve gotten two replacements no charge, it’s a bit much to take. Also, battery life is very poor while it is in use. Since I upgraded to iOS4 on my iPhone I have been unable to use it well. It’s certain nice at times — beats headphones a lot of the time, but it’s also proving to be less-than-rugged and in a noisy environment, you can’t hear well. Even in a car it is often too quiet to hear anything but music, and even then it is somewhat drowned out. For my car, I actually bought a new stereo system so I …
Tags: Description, hearing, icom, phonak, Read, review, system
September 21st, 2010 at 8:58 am
You can set up the iCom to make everything around you quieter when it is in use — this makes sense except that whenever the iCom alerts you about something it will cut the sound around you. Take this example:
Say I have my iPhone and the iCom paired and I get a text message, which plays a sound, and the iCom cuts out the hearing aids. This can be *very* distracting and if it happens during a conversation, you probably will miss what was said.
September 21st, 2010 at 9:46 am
Thanks for this video review. Im thinking of getting this to play music as when I have my headphones in obviously my hearing aids are out so when someone is talking to me I cant hear them. Does the Icom mute the hearing aids and take a while to switch back on.
September 21st, 2010 at 10:23 am
Thanks so much for your detailed review. Because of your post, I decided to try the icom. You are right…it is nothing short of life-changing. I carry on a lot of business on the phone while driving, and the icom is so much better than the induction loop headphones I had before. Thanks again for your information.
September 21st, 2010 at 11:08 am
I have trouble with the volume not being loud enough on the iCom – phone volume is all the way up and i still cant hear most of the time although the beeps are VERY loud…any thoughts? I love the concept and use – i think i just need to get fine tuned better?
September 21st, 2010 at 11:38 am
Many thanks for a great review – it has been very helpfull!
September 21st, 2010 at 11:51 am
@kd1s Make ‘em and I’ll buy a set. The 100% markup and the fact that I can’t find a competitive alternative to their icom drives me nuts, knowing that it’s simple cheap electronics that’s the basis for their product.
September 21st, 2010 at 11:58 am
@colpat7 Awesome icebreaker line!
September 21st, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Your hearing has to have been bad since early childhood. Your speech is affected.
September 21st, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Great video – thank you – you hit so many of my issues right on the head.
September 21st, 2010 at 2:24 pm
I’m 76 widower. I use iCom with my iPhone 3g. People see me dining alone, talking to my great grand daughter who is in Japan using Skype (internet phone). They often remark “see that little old man who has an imaginary friend or is talking to himself. But it makes a good pickup line. “Want call me and talk to me on my hearing aids?’ If she does I have her phone number!
September 21st, 2010 at 3:23 pm
For another good one (with closed caption),
type in prestonchao in the search box and it’s the first video on the result list
September 21st, 2010 at 3:51 pm
I’ve recently gotten an iCom and it works great for hearing what’s coming across the phone, but everyone tells me from the other end of the phone, my voice sounds loud and crackly and screechy. Anyone have that problem?
September 21st, 2010 at 4:06 pm
i have icom its good
September 21st, 2010 at 4:37 pm
That’s the thing that irks me. The Bluetooth hardware is the same throughout every device. But the stack necessary, well it differs greatly between phones, music players, etc. and it annoys the crap out of me.
September 21st, 2010 at 5:21 pm
$6,000 for hearing aids? That’s insane. I’ll just engineer my own for that kind of money.
September 21st, 2010 at 6:16 pm
I recently changed to a Phonak Audeo BTE which came with the iCom device. I agree that it transforms cell phone conversations – much clearer than holding phone to my ear.
Sometimes I wonder if the iCom is causing the hearing aid to suppress ambient noise when I’m NOT on the phone. Ever experience that?
September 21st, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Wow! I’m hoping to get aids at the first of the year and even though I can’t afford these particular aids, I hope I can some that allow me to use my cell phone/MP3 player like that! Thanks for posting!!
September 21st, 2010 at 7:16 pm
I just ordered an Icom today. I’ve worn hearing aids since I was 7 years old, I’m now 58, and recently got the Naidas in January. I’m excited about being able to get an iPod, and also use the Bluetooth technology on my cell phone. Thank you windsurf17 for the video, it answered several of my questions.
September 21st, 2010 at 7:45 pm
i just got a set of Phonak centra BTE aids. I been trying to find some information on the Icom.
that sounds amazing. i would love something like this for the few times i use the phone and use my music.
September 21st, 2010 at 7:59 pm
i ideas maybe hearing aid with cable to music and original bluetooth with 3.5mm and work to the hearing aid.
:):):D:D:D, and i have cable with hearing aid 
and work the music 
September 21st, 2010 at 8:32 pm
@TheSynthFreq: sounds like the Naida is even better than my system. I think mine were retrofitted as I had Savia Arts and had the Icom stuff added to it (I *think* that’s how it was done). I’ve had trouble with TV, though I have a device that broadcasts bluetooth. I think it’s more of a TV problem, but I can’t really be sure. Works great with phone, music, computer, etc.
September 21st, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Great video.
I recently got my Phonak Naida hearing aids and the Icom. They are AMAZING! The Icom works very well with the phone and tv and music. I like how the icom can pause/resume streaming audio too.
The Icom and Phonak Naida ultrapower hearing are the best IMO.
September 21st, 2010 at 9:06 pm
I’m venturing into Audiology and this review is inspiring. Great job man, glad it could work out for you.
September 21st, 2010 at 9:55 pm
It has to be worn around your neck (between the aids) to broadcast properly. Also, it has the microphone that you talk into.
September 21st, 2010 at 10:50 pm
do have to wear that necklace around your neck. couldn’t you just put all that technology in your pocket along with your ipod
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:20 am
hmm, i tried google for some info about this and i just can't find it. i don't think there's any way to know if a child is deaf in the womb. sorry but i think you're just going to have to wait and see! best wishes
October 24th, 2010 at 8:46 am
Well, it has only been 3 days but I'm not an expert on any of this stuff but maybe this link will help you out.
http://www.webmasterworld.com/google/3610059.htm
November 30th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Is it safe to download from EA store?
December 29th, 2010 at 11:09 am
Actually all you have to do is to talk into a tape recorder about the book and then transcribe it onto the computer.
Or…just write it down exactly how you are thinking about it.
You wrote quite a lot in your question, no spelling mistakes, good punctuation, and well worded. I think you are selling yourself short by saying you have never been good at writing. Just do it and you will see how it will just flow out of you. You wouldn't have volunteered if you hadn't thought that you could do it.
January 19th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Pardon!!!!!!
January 26th, 2011 at 9:38 pm
landis
The world peloton also works. I missed stage 8 though.
January 30th, 2011 at 8:46 am
Why Do Liberals Get Their "News" From Comedy Central? – Review …: easy because the media is owned by right win…
February 3rd, 2011 at 11:17 pm
He sings lonely day, and there’s no screaming in that; it’s just this is an angry song and they need to put across that emotion
March 2nd, 2011 at 3:32 pm
The first thing that comes to my head, though I'm not sure it's what you want, is a ferromagnet. You charge it up in some direction and it finds a stable equilibrium in phase space with a net magnetic field pointed in that direction. You charge it up in other directions, then it points a different direction.
March 7th, 2011 at 5:53 pm
Miscellaneous Description: Christmas is at the door step. Everybody is planning to spend some good time this season. It may be a vacation at an exotic sea beach, a hill resort or may be you just want to spend some quality time with your family. Start Date: 04/12/2010 Status: Open
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March 11th, 2011 at 5:19 am
Generally, hearing aids from a doctor are of better quality than those who aren't. The audiologist knows you better than these other people do, and know what is right for you, and what isn't.
I have my hearing aids from my audiologist, and I have never had any problems with it personally. Even though it's pricier, it's worth it. I don't trust these adverts. Anyway, good luck, and ask your audiologist for more information.
March 13th, 2011 at 4:08 am
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March 20th, 2011 at 8:55 am
I found the Itzbeen timer to be a wonderful thing. Sure your iphone might have an app that does the same thing – but then when someone else is watching the baby you would have to leave your phone behind. Great for breastfeeding Moms!
April 1st, 2011 at 3:27 am
Congrats, and I will have to give it a read.
April 3rd, 2011 at 8:42 am
its fate!!! i'm hearing 散场的拥抱 live now!!!! XD
April 13th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
50 CENT HAS RETURNED
April 17th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Powerful statement!!! Very Good,, my new hero Bruce Fein!!
May 26th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
nice movi ??
June 4th, 2011 at 2:06 am
A world full of zombies
June 11th, 2011 at 9:28 am
anh tweet cho em >:D<
rồi còn gì 
cái icom >:D< là ôm đấy 
June 12th, 2011 at 5:15 am
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June 25th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
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July 5th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
でもみぃちゃん09だった＼(^o^)／
August 1st, 2011 at 7:17 am
Leave the display setting on 100% too PREVENT overheating the circuit.A friend & I replaced the surface mount component in my ORIGINAL 746 & it worked GREAT afterwards! }:>)
August 13th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
So gay people can’t be awesome?
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:44 pm
Have you tried Newport Audiology? They have one in Huntington Beach.
1-800-242-3530
August 23rd, 2011 at 6:38 pm
Google’s Andrei Popescu this week sent out a letter regarding Android’s current stock web browser, a system built on WebKit, saying that first of all they at Google apologize for the confusion the thus-far incomplete Android port that exists today in WebKit TOT has caused. Upstreaming the Android port of WebKit has for a while [...]
August 24th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
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September 3rd, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Read my response to “alguna vez tiraste tu celular/cámara/lo que sea a la cama, rebotó y se hizo mierda en el pi…”:
September 4th, 2011 at 9:17 pm
Opps! You're links don't work :S It's telling me that I need to log in. I answered your last question for a review
Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
September 7th, 2011 at 11:35 pm
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September 29th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
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October 13th, 2011 at 3:24 am
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December 29th, 2011 at 11:53 pm
Hi mark drop me your email address and i will send u one of my latest video links,, you watched an older one.. James G0SEC
January 20th, 2012 at 5:17 am
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February 21st, 2012 at 2:55 am
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February 27th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
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