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Do you know about Telecoils & Hearing Loops in Public Spaces?

Posted by pegbell @pegbell, May 20, 2019

Hoping to get some honest feedback from folks on whether or not they have been told about how to use the telecoil (T-Coil) in their hearing aid or CI. Ideally, the information is shared freely and helps people take advantage of the wireless solution to hearing clearly in noisy public spaces. Like a ramp for a wheelchair, a hearing loop system delivers audio directly to personal hearing devices without the need for any other equipment at places like hospitals, theaters, courtrooms, classrooms, meeting spaces, museums, etc.
So, the questions is this: when you first got your hearing device, were you told about the telecoil and using hearing loops? Simple yes or no is fine. If you'd like to share more please feel free. THANK YOU!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hearing Loss Support Group.

pegbell | @pegbell | May 20, 2019
In reply to @julieo4 "I had used hearing aids for a decade prior to learning about SHHH, the organization that..." + (show)
@julieo4

I had used hearing aids for a decade prior to learning about SHHH, the organization that is now known as HLAA. The first national convention of the organization introduced me to the value of telecoils. That was in 1984! I have been educating and advocating ever since experiencing that experience; often to 'deaf ears' of hearing healthcare providers who have insisted for decades that telecoils and induction loops are 'old technology'. Thankfully, in the last decade, there has been a movement to Loop America, and HLAA has been behind it. It's happening all be it slowly. It should be illegal for anyone who sells hearing aids to NOT tell their customer about what telecoils do, with a complete actual demonstration so the buyer knows what they are talking about. When/if they skirt over this, most first time buyers of hearing aids are overwhelmed and don't want to hear any more than necessary. They will not understand it unless they have a chance to try it. It's like having 'binoculars for the ears', as it allows hearing aids to bypass ambient noise that is there in most settings. This technology is most often installed in large listening arenas, but can also be used on a personal level with TV, in a car, and even in a noisy 'cocktail party' setting. It requires telecoils in the hearing instrument, and a system that relates to it. This is commonly referred to as a 'hearing loop' now. A hearing instrument without a telecoil is like a car without air conditioning. You don't need it all the time, but when you do, you sure want it! Tell your provider you want this feature and tell others they need it. Educate and Advocate! It works.

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Thank you!!! I heard someone say that for every ramp built for a wheelchair user there are dozens of people with hearing aids/implants that could benefit greatly from a properly installed hearing loop. Both are seamless solutions that are available 24/7 -- with no need to ask for help or extra gear on the spot, or in advance.

(BTW, there are a few states that now require telecoil education by audiologists and hearing aid specialists - which caused me to wonder if that is having any positive impact yet.)

The more complex requirements of the IEC60118-4 increased performance standards for loop systems in any assistive listening application -- as of 2006. Adopted around the world as the reference for performance, the new code impacted the specification, design, installation and maintenance of the systems to a point that many part-time installers left the profession. If your loop installer does not guarantee to commission your project to meet IEC60118-4 standards -- find a new installer!

REPLY
pegbell | @pegbell | May 20, 2019
In reply to @capausz "@pegbell, been wearing hearing aids for 15 years and never told about coils ever." + (show)
@capausz

@pegbell, been wearing hearing aids for 15 years and never told about coils ever.

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Thank you for your feedback. I am sorry to hear that. You may or may not live in a state that now requires telecoil education. Learn more on the HLAA website and ask. If that does not work, let me know. 🙂 https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/technology/hat/hearing-loop-technology/

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pegbell | @pegbell | May 20, 2019
In reply to @dollyh "NO" + (show)
@dollyh

NO

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Thank you for your feedback. I am sorry to hear that. You may or may not live in a state that now requires telecoil education. Learn more on the HLAA website and ask. If that does not work, let me know. 🙂 https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/technology/hat/hearing-loop-technology/

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judysmayo | @judysmayo | May 20, 2019

No! I found out about T-coils through my local HLAA chapter. Our meetings are looped and we have a closed caption service. There seems to be resistance on the part of audiologists not to suggest turning them on. Since then I have gotten many of the Assistive Listening Devices that link with my phonak hearing aids. I use these ALD tools because not very many venues are looped in my area. This is a helpful site for finding assistive systems.
https://www.aldlocator.com/#/home

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mickey5909 | @mickey5909 | May 21, 2019
In reply to @julieo4 "You might want to purchase a good quality neckloop. It is worn around the neck and..." + (show)
@julieo4

You might want to purchase a good quality neckloop. It is worn around the neck and plugged into an audio device that has a jack. It works well with computers, radios, and audio devices that have a plug in feature. It also will work with your cell phone, but may require an adapter to add to the input jack on the neckloop. I enjoy listing to audio on my computer and it's great to simply plug in, turn on the telecoils and listen. It's as clear as a bell for me. A good neckloop costs around $50. Well worth it.

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I had tried the neckloop several years ago, must be going on about 9 years now. But it kept cutting out and i thought it was a pain to have an extra thing to worry about. Have they gotten better?

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mickey5909 | @mickey5909 | May 21, 2019
In reply to @jsterkensaud "Where do you live? Several websites keep track of loops nationwide as well as in WI..." + (show)
@jsterkensaud

Where do you live? Several websites keep track of loops nationwide as well as in WI and MN. Happy to share this information.

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I'm in the Central PA area.

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scottk | @scottk | May 21, 2019

Yes. It is important that audiologists tell patients about T coils. It is also important that venues that have loops promote it with signs etc. We have one installed in our church due to the fact that I attended an HLAA meeting in Madison WI. Thank you J Sterkens for your help!

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Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | May 21, 2019

So sorry you had a bad experience with a neckoop. I suspect you had a defective neckloop or an inferior product. Not sure where you got it, but if from a hearing healthcare provider you should have returned it. Years ago our HLAA group purchased a dozen neckloops from an online source. I think they cost around $15@. They didn't have enough power for those of us with severe/profound hearing loss. Lesson learned. I suggest you try a Williams Sound neckloop. Cost is around $50. Well worth it. Your provider should be able to order you one. Good Luck!

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Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | May 21, 2019

Maybe we should explain why the term 'old technology' is sometimes used when talking about telecoils and induction (hearing) loops. It is technology that has been in use since the mid-1900s. Telecoils were first developed to be used with hardwired landline telephones; this the name 'tele'coil. Those old dial phones had the necessary magnet in the handset to relate to the telecoil component placed in the hearing aid. You all know what happened to those old phones. The phone industry went to cordless landlines, then to cell phones. The hearing aid manufacturers started removing telecoils from hearing aids because the new phones were not compatible with them. This was also pushed by the miniaturization of hearing aids. While the t-coil is small, it still takes up space in the hearing aid. HLAA pushed hard for hearing aid compatibility as new phones developed, which led to many being compatible, but not all. We had to be very careful what we purchased if we wanted it to work with our t-coil equipped hearing aids. We still do. An all out movement to promote telecoils and loops in public venues didn't get going until around 2007, when a handful of audiologists agreed to work with HLAA to push the technology. So yes, this is 'old technology', but it has many practical 'new' uses. Loops are better than ever. It is up to us to advocate and educate to get them out there.

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