Is the iPad Pro 2020 four speaker system good for Cochlear implant people? I only need it for voices. Or is there a more optimal option? Thanks

[olimike]

I have bilateral cochlear implants. I’m looking for the optimal Apple product for using Zoom or other teleconference apps. I just need it for voices only. Music is not important.
I’d prefer the iPad Pro 2020 four speaker system for cost, size and convenience (as compared to i.e. iMac or MacBook). But voice quality is the most important factor.
Thanks so much for any input.

 

[KaliYoni]

A member of my family has cochlear implants. I'm a long time Apple laptop, desktop, and mobile device user. Here are some thoughts:

• Sound volume and sound frequency seem to affect my family member's ability to understand speech. So, I think you will benefit from speakers that do not distort easily, handle high and low volume levels equally well, and have a wide frequency range.
• iMacs, iPhones, and iPads all have small and low power speakers that are buried in the device's enclosure. As a result, the sound reproduction is not great. MacBooks are somewhat better but still not that great.
• I think a good approach would be to buy whatever device fits your computing requirements best. Then buy an external powered speaker to use for sound output. You don't have to buy anything fancy or expensive; just about any speaker will put out clearer, louder sound than built-in speakers.
• An iPad will be able to connect to a speaker either wirelessly, using Bluetooth, or wired, with a Lightning to USB or Lightning to 3.5mm audio dongle.

For example, these speakers don't cost much and probably would be fine for how you want to use them:

Logitech S120 2.0 Stereo Speakers, Black

Logitech S120 Speakers

www.amazon.com

 

[olimike]

A member of my family has cochlear implants. I'm a long time Apple laptop, desktop, and mobile device user. Here are some thoughts:

• Sound volume and sound frequency seem to affect my family member's ability to understand speech. So, I think you will benefit from speakers that do not distort easily, handle high and low volume levels equally well, and have a wide frequency range.
• iMacs, iPhones, and iPads all have small and low power speakers that are buried in the device's enclosure. As a result, the sound reproduction is not great. MacBooks are somewhat better but still not that great.
• I think a good approach would be to buy whatever device fits your computing requirements best. Then buy an external powered speaker to use for sound output. You don't have to buy anything fancy or expensive; just about any speaker will put out clearer, louder sound than built-in speakers.
• An iPad will be able to connect to a speaker either wirelessly, using Bluetooth, or wired, with a Lightning to USB or Lightning to 3.5mm audio dongle.

For example, these speakers don't cost much and probably would be fine for how you want to use them:

Logitech S120 2.0 Stereo Speakers, Black

Logitech S120 Speakers

www.amazon.com

Thanks so much!

 

[Green242]

I can speak from experience as I have a cochlear one one side and a hearing aid on the other. I my case I get the best sound by streaming via the low energy bluetooth in the accessibility/hearing devices setting from my 2018 iPad Pro which is my newest iPad. Streaming directly into the cochlear implant usually works best for most. Also works well with my iphone, but the sound sees to be more robust with the iPad Pro.

Sometimes I go without the streaming so I can use both ears and the iPad Pro is an excellent choice as the speakers are much better than the phone or other iPads. I listen to audio books, podcast and talk radio mostly as I cannot hear music very well. Also if you use speakers it's best to stay within 3-4 feet. I have a pair of Sony bluetooth speakers that do well for streaming voice. I can use them with any of the apple devices. I recently bought a MacBook Air but for my implant I need to use standard bluetooth with a Cochlear Wireless Phone Clip to stream, and the built in speakers seem to work well enough for me and project the sound toward me better than the iPad which seems to project the sound to the sides.

I'm thinking the best would be the iPad Pro with streaming if your processor has that, and the external speakers as the other poster mentioned.

 

[olimike]

Thanks for sharing. I currently have bilateral Cochlear Nucleus 6, and it doesn’t appear I can directly stream into them except for the phone clip.
I’m waiting for Cochlear to release the Nucleus 8 processors which should be soon.
And will soon be getting the newly released iPad Pro.
At which time, I think I will be able to directly stream between them.
Until then, the speakers that the previous poster mentioned work great on my current iPad.
Thanks again.

 

[Green242]

I've had the Nucleus 7 on one side for just about 3 years now and also use at the original Kanso which will only stream though the phone clip. I find the direct streaming with the 7 better as it uses the Low Energy Bluetooth setting in the Accessibility settings on the iPhone & iPad. Plus you can get amp and move around with out missing the sound. Glad to hear they are coming out with the 8 soon, although I'll have to wait to upgrade. My audi and doc were urging me to get the other side done, but I still have some reasonable hearing left for now.

I went from about 8% speech recognition to 97%, the technology is amazing.

Hope you will find a good solution for your current needs and situation.

 

[olimike]

Hi, anyone with Cochlear implant experience ever hear of the quality for voices over an iPad Pro/computer with these speakers?
They advertise them as “Clear Dialogue” to specifically enhance voices.
Thanks much. Creative T60 speakers.

Creative T60 2.0 Compact Hi-Fi Desktop Speakers with Clear Dialog and Surround by Sound Blaster, USB-C Audio, Mic and Headset Ports, Bluetooth 5.0, Up to 60W Peak Power, for Computers and Laptops

Creative T60 2.0 Compact Hi-Fi Desktop Speakers with Clear Dialog and Surround by Sound Blaster, USB-C Audio, Mic and Headset Ports, Bluetooth 5.0, Up to 60W Peak Power, for Computers and Laptops

www.amazon.com

 

[olimike]

I can speak from experience as I have a cochlear one one side and a hearing aid on the other. I my case I get the best sound by streaming via the low energy bluetooth in the accessibility/hearing devices setting from my 2018 iPad Pro which is my newest iPad. Streaming directly into the cochlear implant usually works best for most. Also works well with my iphone, but the sound sees to be more robust with the iPad Pro.

Sometimes I go without the streaming so I can use both ears and the iPad Pro is an excellent choice as the speakers are much better than the phone or other iPads. I listen to audio books, podcast and talk radio mostly as I cannot hear music very well. Also if you use speakers it's best to stay within 3-4 feet. I have a pair of Sony bluetooth speakers that do well for streaming voice. I can use them with any of the apple devices. I recently bought a MacBook Air but for my implant I need to use standard bluetooth with a Cochlear Wireless Phone Clip to stream, and the built in speakers seem to work well enough for me and project the sound toward me better than the iPad which seems to project the sound to the sides.

I'm thinking the best would be the iPad Pro with streaming if your processor has that, and the external speakers as the other poster mentioned.

Thanks, for anyone interested, after trying different speakers, I found these best for voices (as a reminder, I have bilateral Cochlear implants). I tried a few because of the Zoom conferences that I do.

Logitech Z200 - Black

Z200

www.amazon.com

Others that I tried were the Creative T10 and the Creative T60, which were good, but found the above Logitech Z200 with a slight advantage in voice clarity.