They talked to me. And I had disclosed that I was a patient at VA.   They were the first to tell me about the Paradise firmware update. And they even told me that VA would not have the update until November (the next contract)

On Aug 29, 2021, at 9:24 PM, Steve Sterry <steve.sterry@...> wrote:



Phonak Tech Support will not talk to VA customers.  They will refer you back to the VA.

 

Steven C. Sterry, M.A./M.B.A.

10149 Grayling AV. – Whittier, CA  90603-2608

Phone (562) 947-2258

Email: steve.sterry@...

 

On Sun, Aug 29, 2021 at 7:11 PM Jim Rau <jimrau@...> wrote:

Steve, I think Phonak tech support can answer that tor you. 

On Aug 29, 2021, at 7:18 PM, Steve Sterry <steve.sterry@...> wrote:

If you can remember, can you find out if there is a  firmware update for the Phonak Marvels available through the VA?

 

Steven C. Sterry, M.A./M.B.A.

10149 Grayling AV. – Whittier, CA  90603-2608

Phone (562) 947-2258 

Email: steve.sterry@...

 

On Sat, Aug 28, 2021 at 1:37 PM dwisott <dwisott@...> wrote:

Jim, I will ask about the firmware as I do have the iPhone 12 and thanks for the advice.  I also agree with your point suggesting we all need to not be intimidated when the VA says “no” to our request for supplies or service.  While that had never happened to me previously, I sense some belt tightening more recently…and I made that point with my doctor visit yesterday.  And I will keep this thread advised of my progress in getting new hearing aids over the coming weeks.

Dick

On Aug 28, 2021, at 1:45 PM, Jim Rau <jimrau@...> wrote:

Congratulations Dick. I hope things work out for you. 

I too am convinced that the medical staff at VA are caring, competent people in general. Of course, people being people, some are better than others. 

You might want to ask your audi at the fitting in two weeks how the lack of the latest firmware update from Phonak will affect the performance of your hearing aids. Both Phonak and VA have told me the same thing - “VA will not have the new firmware until November”. The Phonak Paradise that Phonak is providing to VA under their contract does not have the newest firmware. It may not be an issue for you but I know that if you have an iPhone 11, 12, or SE it will affect the performance. Oh and I hope you got t-coils ordered in your new hearing aids. 

Please share your thoughts about the Paradise HA when you get them. I’m still very undecided on choosing between the Otidon and Phonaks for myself.

And for the rest of the veterans on here it is important that while Dick and I got great audiology care from VA ti took some foot stomping and shouting to get it. Just think of how many veterans just take what they are given and go home whether it works or not. Military veterans in general are taught to "get in line and shut up”.  The sad truth is that we have to be our own advocates. We have to inform ourselves about our audiology care. We have to ask the right questions. And sometimes we have to make some noise. Hopefully this group will make a difference for a few veterans getting audiology care. 

Jim

On Aug 28, 2021, at 12:13 PM, dwisott <dwisott@...> wrote:

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