Let's talk about telecoils a bit more. They are the connecting link between a lot of assistive technologies that bring direct sound to hearing aids. Most people with hearing loss want to hear better, and many are deprived of that because of false information AND also because of stigmas that refuse to go away.

Telecoils take up a very tiny piece of space in a hearing aid. Today's hearing aids are tiny. It's kind of negative to say that options make hearing aids 'clunkier'. Sorry, but that simply adds to the stigmatized stuff that says hearing aids should be hidden. WHY? Is that because hearing loss is a sign of stupidity? Is that because people who help themselves hear better are inferior?

Most people with hearing loss want to hear, not just in conversations but in meeting rooms, performing arts centers, worship centers, etc. They can hear in those places when appropriate assistive technology has been installed. In most of those places telecoils are the key to connecting to hearing aids. Yes, one might also use a pair of headphones provided by the facility. Obviously, those show big time! Plus it means removing your hearing aids to listen via the headsets. What do you do with those expensive hearing aids when you remove them? Do you wonder how clean those headsets are or how many others have worn them? Those telecoils eliminate that and bring the desired sound directly to the telecoil equipped hearing aids without any background noise. I can't think of a better reason to want to have telecoils, along with Bluetooth (BT) in your personal devices! I want to hear!

Just a wee bit about BT. Yes, it can do the same things telecoils do, but it is not universal. It does not come from a single transmitter like FM or Infrared systems that work with telecoils. Without a universal transmitter, everyone who wants to use BT in a situation has to provide the speaker with a personal transmitter that will relate to their personal devices.

In time, Auracast will also be used as a 'general' transmitter to hearing aids that are equipped with Auracast technology. That will take time to happen. Meanwhile, we WANT TO HEAR NOW not 5 or 10 years from now.

This is further complicated by the advocacy it takes to get venues to install the transmission equipment needed to connect to hearing aids. While the Americans with Disabilities Act does say public venues must provide connecting technology, it also says it must be requested and cannot create unreasonable cost to the provider. It does not dictate the kind of technology to install. Requesting it must allow the venue time to install the equipment. You cannot simply go there, ask for it and get it. It requires both education and advocacy, PLUS the reality that people with hearing loss have to go public with their requests and needs. That stigma barrier enters the picture again. What to YOU do when you want to hear in a public venue?

People with hearing loss who have educated and advocated have done a remarkable job in getting communication access provided. Venues have spent large amounts of money to comply. Those venues in compliance are not going to jump right on the bandwagon for the next new technology that comes as they will remain in compliance with what they have already installed. In most instances, that means telecoils. (Or those headsets.)

Hearing aids with telecoils and BT are available in every major hearing aid brand. If you want to conquer the hearing loss demons that prevent you from enjoying what you've always enjoyed, don't omit the connecting links. It pays to be an informed consumer...and like it or not hearing aids are consumer products.

Would you buy a car without headlights because you seldom drive after dark? Is hiding your hearing aids more important than hearing?