my pilot, watch pilot, or neither

[mamajoy]

I am considering trying the Exelia Art but am trying to determine whether or not I really need a remote. I know that with the My Pilot the aids can be adjusted separately, but is there anything else that I cannot adjust on the aids themselves? Also, what does the My Pilot do that the Watch Pilot can't do? I think the Watch Pilot controls volume and programs - what additional features can be controled with the My Pilot? And for those of you who have the My Pilot - do you actually carry it around? Do you use it often? Could you live without it? How do you keep it with you - is it just in your pocket all the time? Your input is appreciated!

[galan]

I am new to wearing HAs, but decided I wanted the myPilot. I am still experimenting, so I am using it quite a bit to adjust the volume in various situations and to manually switch between programs. This is how the learning program figures out what your preferences are, so that it can either automatically adjust the HA programs, or that the audi can access to make any tweaks (based on your adjustments made with the remote). I also like being able to independently adjust volume in Bluetooth and Streaming Audio modes.

I just slip the myPilot in my pocket for now, but am considered getting a belt clip.

[Neilk]

I do use the myPilot with my YES IX's. And I just keep it in my pocket for now ... or in my lunch bag's front pouch when heading to and from work. I find it quite handy in restaurants to set the program manually so it doesn't change if things get suddenly quiet, or suddenly noisy. It worked quite well in the ESPN Zone restaurant in Downtown Disneyland where we went for dinner the other night. Talk about a noisy enviroment ... arcade machines all around you ... and I could hear most of the conversation at my table amidst people screaming to be heard at other tables around us in the restaurant section.

[joesc]

Since you have the Exelia Art, with onboard controls, you might find that you don't need the myPilot. I have the regular exelia and the myPilot, and find I barely use the myPilot, as I can change my settings on the aids themselves. So now I don't even carry it around. But for me, the myPilot was an included option w/ my purchase. In fact, wouldn't get a discount for not getting them. For that reason I decided to keep it.

So for you, the only advantage of the myPilot would be a visual display of your hearing aid settings, possibly individual control of your aid volume, and more control of the zoom function. I don't believe the watchPilot does any of those things as I understand it's just program control and volume adjustment without a display.

But don't take our word for it. If your audi allows, take the myPilot out for a test drive and see if you like it.

[Sylvester]

I enjoy remotes because I can change volume, & programs easily & more important to me unobtrusively. Plus you can see where you are , while reaching up & fiddling with the HA buttons is not only obvious, but you can't easily find the correct button. Also you don't have to go through the entire cycle of programs if you want to go from program 3 back to program 2 which is time consuming. Perhaps the best part of a remote in Phonak is being able to adjust the directionality of your microphones-- Called Audio Zoom. you can't do this using the HA controls. HOWEVER be careful because not all models have this function--for example Naida V's do not allow this--you need the newest Naida IX's. Check before you buy.
Clydems

[mamajoy]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. It sounds like it makes sense to give the My Pilot a try and see how useful I find it. If I go with the Exelia Arts, there is a package deal for the aids, icom, and my pilot, so the accessories are a bit less than full price. I have always been one to fiddle with my programs and volume quite a lot, so sounds like I should try it out and see. Thanks again!

[EnglishDispenser]

Don't forget that the iCom and myPilot are essentially little PCs.

Who know what goodies will be available as software downloads for these devices over the next months and years?

MP3 players?
User control of some aid settings?
Games?
USB transfer of ????
Sound analysis software?
On-line help in text and audio formats?

[shan]

Originally Posted by EnglishDispenser

Don't forget that the iCom and myPilot are essentially little PCs.

Who know what goodies will be available as software downloads for these devices over the next months and years?

MP3 players?
User control of some aid settings?
Games?
USB transfer of ????
Sound analysis software?
On-line help in text and audio formats?

Do you believe these features will be backwards compatible or a new item you will have to buy?