Telecoils are kind of like having 'binoculars for your ears'. They bring desired sound direct to your personal hearing devices. However, that 'desired sound' has to be projected via a microphone. That can be in a performing arts center, a meeting room, or even in your home. It can also be done via some simple devices you can use personally. Do you know what a Pocket Talker is?

Telecoils have been around for decades. They were created to use with landline phones. (Thus the name 'tele'coil.) Consequently, people in the hearing healthcare professions tend to diss them and call them 'old technology'. This is a shame because they can connect us to so much more now than they were originally developed for. Venues that have installed hearing loops that connect telecoils to the master PA system are creating communication access for millions of people with hearing loss. There are other ways to do that, but loops are the systems most preferred by the hard of hearing population that is in the know. You can find some good information at: http://www.hearingloop.org NOTE: Those 'other ways' are with FM technology and Infrared technology.

BlueTooth technology is newer. It works well with cell phones and can connect to other audio devices, but it cannot connect a room full of hearing aid users to a single sound system.

Maybe looking at the 'money aspect' answers a few questions. A telecoil adds virtually zero cost to a hearing device. BlueTooth can add $1000. What would you sell if you were making a living selling hearing instruments? Another thing to ponder is space within the hearing instrument. A telecoil is tiny, but it takes space. What is the focus on selling hearing instuments now? INVISIBLE, SMALL, No One will see it, etc. Really??

Telecoils often exist in hearing aids but are not activated by the provider. They have to be activated to function. ASK your provider if you have them and if you do, ask to have them activated. Then, insist that they show you how to use them. Chances are they might minimize their value and not have the means to share that information with you. Shame on them, The only way this changes is if the PEOPLE who use hearing instruments speak up.

That's my story about telecoils! I'm sticking to it!! 🙂 Auracast may be coming in the future, but it isn't here yet. Meanwhile, we want to hear NOW, not in a few years or more.