1. < Hearing Loss

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.

imallears | @imallears | May 23, 2019
In reply to @judysmayo "My understanding is: A neck loop is used to connect to remote mics, tv streamers and..." + (show)
@judysmayo

My understanding is:
A neck loop is used to connect to remote mics, tv streamers and phones through Bluetooth for personal use. Some newer hearing aids have Bluetooth in the hearing aid so you don’t need a neck loop.
The T coil is a separate technology. It’s in your hearing aid and will link up with a looped room/area directly when you have your hearing aids in their T-coil program. An unlimited number of people can use it at once. You don’t need a neck loop to use t-coil.
There’s also FM radio wave technology and you would link the FM receiver to your personal neck loop w an audio cable.
I think it’s just extremely difficult for anyone over 60 to understand the technology that is required to manage the ALDs - assistive listening devices. It can become very confusing and I’ve needed my husband to help me set it up and manage it often. I have just about every ALD there is to help me hear in a variety of situations. It can be frustrating and confusing. HLAA has trained volunteers in a program they call N-CHATT to assist people with technological questions.

Jump to this post

@judysmayo
Hi,
While I agree that all these ALDS can be confusing, I take exception to your comment about anyone over 60 having extreme difficulty understanding the technology. I’m 78 and use ALDS and read up on new technology so I can learn more. People in my local chapter are either the same age and older and are using these devices. If something goes wrong with my computer, phone or tv network, I fix it most of the time. Admittedly, a lot of my generation is clueless and not interested. What gets me going is the assumption that all older people are clueless...it’s a stereotype that I see all the time, whether on tv, social media or in person.
As you can tell, it gets my dander up. We are living longer today and better keep up with what’s happening. I come across too many people in the course of the week that are so set in their ways and not even interested in the political and social climate of today. These are fairly active individuals but locked in their own world and content to let things go on as usual.

Okay, I went off on a rant and this is a different issue altogether. @pegbell mention that Audiologists have a lot on their plate just trying to convince people to address their hearing loss and she is right. So I will take the heat off that profession for not educating them about ALDS and loops😊

Hope I didn’t offend you in anyway..short story...had a young man hold open the door for my friend one day a while ago and he said “There you go grandpa” I smiled and said thank you and he’s not your grandfather.

Regards from Florida Mary

REPLY
3 replies
Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | May 23, 2019
In reply to @imallears "@judysmayo Hi, While I agree that all these ALDS can be confusing, I take exception to..." + (show)
@imallears

@judysmayo
Hi,
While I agree that all these ALDS can be confusing, I take exception to your comment about anyone over 60 having extreme difficulty understanding the technology. I’m 78 and use ALDS and read up on new technology so I can learn more. People in my local chapter are either the same age and older and are using these devices. If something goes wrong with my computer, phone or tv network, I fix it most of the time. Admittedly, a lot of my generation is clueless and not interested. What gets me going is the assumption that all older people are clueless...it’s a stereotype that I see all the time, whether on tv, social media or in person.
As you can tell, it gets my dander up. We are living longer today and better keep up with what’s happening. I come across too many people in the course of the week that are so set in their ways and not even interested in the political and social climate of today. These are fairly active individuals but locked in their own world and content to let things go on as usual.

Okay, I went off on a rant and this is a different issue altogether. @pegbell mention that Audiologists have a lot on their plate just trying to convince people to address their hearing loss and she is right. So I will take the heat off that profession for not educating them about ALDS and loops😊

Hope I didn’t offend you in anyway..short story...had a young man hold open the door for my friend one day a while ago and he said “There you go grandpa” I smiled and said thank you and he’s not your grandfather.

Regards from Florida Mary

Jump to this post

Agreed about stereotyping older people, and am glad someone else responded to that so I wasn't 'first'! 🙂

However, I disagree about giving the people who sell hearing aids a pass on counseling their clients about technology that goes beyond hearing aids. I agree that too often, too much time is spent on trying to convince people to get hearing help, but once those people are in their office they have the opportunity to show them something almost magical. Take the time to demonstrate what a hearing loop/telecoil combo can do in a noisy setting. How hard is it for these professionals to install this equipment in their offices? Turn on some noise...like a radio in the room, turn the telecoil on in a pair of hearing aids,.and walk out of the room with the microphone and talk to the person who is trying out hearing aids. If that doesn't convince them, they don't want to hear. I believe that people who spend the large sum that a pair of good hearing aids costs, want to get the most out of those devices as possible, and it's only fair to disclose everything those devices can do. It's about taking time to educate. That should be a piece of the 'bundle' we are charged when we buy hearing aids.

I'm in my 70s and don't hesitate to try new technology. The people who influenced me to learn about telecoils, loops, and personal devices were the age I am now back then. They were the people who pushed the development of devices that go beyond hearing aids. Yes, I met them through SHHH. I thank those pioneers every time I benefit from telecoils. PS: Most hard of hearing people want to remain in the hearing mainstream. They are not going to gravitate to sign language and become oriented to deafness as a way of life. They want to hear. Hearing healthcare professionals should do everything possible to show them how. ...And age should not be an issue.

REPLY
1 reply
pegbell | @pegbell | May 23, 2019
In reply to @davea "Nice graphic! Is it copyrighted? If so, do we have permission to use it?" + (show)
@davea

Nice graphic! Is it copyrighted? If so, do we have permission to use it?

Jump to this post

That graphic is published on the HLAA website but comes originally from a loop designer/installer out west -- OToJOY. I will ask them and get back to you...I think they will be fine with anyone using the version that includes their logo and I can get that for you.

REPLY
1 reply
lioness | @lioness | May 23, 2019
In reply to @imallears "@judysmayo Hi, While I agree that all these ALDS can be confusing, I take exception to..." + (show)
@imallears

@judysmayo
Hi,
While I agree that all these ALDS can be confusing, I take exception to your comment about anyone over 60 having extreme difficulty understanding the technology. I’m 78 and use ALDS and read up on new technology so I can learn more. People in my local chapter are either the same age and older and are using these devices. If something goes wrong with my computer, phone or tv network, I fix it most of the time. Admittedly, a lot of my generation is clueless and not interested. What gets me going is the assumption that all older people are clueless...it’s a stereotype that I see all the time, whether on tv, social media or in person.
As you can tell, it gets my dander up. We are living longer today and better keep up with what’s happening. I come across too many people in the course of the week that are so set in their ways and not even interested in the political and social climate of today. These are fairly active individuals but locked in their own world and content to let things go on as usual.

Okay, I went off on a rant and this is a different issue altogether. @pegbell mention that Audiologists have a lot on their plate just trying to convince people to address their hearing loss and she is right. So I will take the heat off that profession for not educating them about ALDS and loops😊

Hope I didn’t offend you in anyway..short story...had a young man hold open the door for my friend one day a while ago and he said “There you go grandpa” I smiled and said thank you and he’s not your grandfather.

Regards from Florida Mary

Jump to this post

@imallears Yes I'm 77 and take apart move and put my computer back together Just because we our more mature doesn't mean we are dumb Good for you Off my soap box now

REPLY
1 reply
imallears | @imallears | May 23, 2019
In reply to @julieo4 "Agreed about stereotyping older people, and am glad someone else responded to that so I wasn't..." + (show)
@julieo4

Agreed about stereotyping older people, and am glad someone else responded to that so I wasn't 'first'! 🙂

However, I disagree about giving the people who sell hearing aids a pass on counseling their clients about technology that goes beyond hearing aids. I agree that too often, too much time is spent on trying to convince people to get hearing help, but once those people are in their office they have the opportunity to show them something almost magical. Take the time to demonstrate what a hearing loop/telecoil combo can do in a noisy setting. How hard is it for these professionals to install this equipment in their offices? Turn on some noise...like a radio in the room, turn the telecoil on in a pair of hearing aids,.and walk out of the room with the microphone and talk to the person who is trying out hearing aids. If that doesn't convince them, they don't want to hear. I believe that people who spend the large sum that a pair of good hearing aids costs, want to get the most out of those devices as possible, and it's only fair to disclose everything those devices can do. It's about taking time to educate. That should be a piece of the 'bundle' we are charged when we buy hearing aids.

I'm in my 70s and don't hesitate to try new technology. The people who influenced me to learn about telecoils, loops, and personal devices were the age I am now back then. They were the people who pushed the development of devices that go beyond hearing aids. Yes, I met them through SHHH. I thank those pioneers every time I benefit from telecoils. PS: Most hard of hearing people want to remain in the hearing mainstream. They are not going to gravitate to sign language and become oriented to deafness as a way of life. They want to hear. Hearing healthcare professionals should do everything possible to show them how. ...And age should not be an issue.

Jump to this post

@julio4
I agree and you just described what a good Audi or hearing aid tech is. They don’t get a pass! Unfortunately many people go to dispensers who are under the gun to sell as many hearings aids as possible because they are part of a chain. This goes for independents too who are concerned about making a living. Fortunately in Florida there are so many Audi’s and techs that we can be picky. The more educated we are as consumers, the more we can demand which is why , when I come across someone who is thinking of getting their hearing tested with the possibility of buying aids, I ask them to speak with me first. I even offer to go with them. No one has taken me up on that offer as of yet but I hope they listened to some of the advice I gave.

Regards from FL Mary

REPLY
pegbell | @pegbell | May 23, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@imallears Yes I'm 77 and take apart move and put my computer back together Just because..." + (show)
@lioness

@imallears Yes I'm 77 and take apart move and put my computer back together Just because we our more mature doesn't mean we are dumb Good for you Off my soap box now

Jump to this post

Once a techie-geek, always a techie-geek? (Asked with respect and admiration that only a kindred spirit would possess 🙂

REPLY
judysmayo | @judysmayo | May 23, 2019

Oops I stepped on some peoples' toes! No offense taken... good to be called out on labeling people. I'm 72 and I'm learning to advocate for myself. Yes, lack of interest in advocating for your best hearing outcomes spans all generations. There's many reasons there are so many people with hearing loss who do not even get hearing aids. They are had to reach! Not everyone wants to learn the ins and outs of ALD's and many people are scared of the technology. My HLAA chapter has a range of ages over 50 but no young people. The active members are all interested in learning about the latest in technology. We have a loop system installed by my techie (non professional) husband and just purchased new wireless mics. We have several people in our group who are great with technology. Our last two meetings were about the latest Apps to help with hearing challenges (given by our local N-CHATT rep) and a hands on sharing of our ALD's. We thought we'd have a big turnout but not many were interested.

REPLY
pegbell | @pegbell | May 23, 2019
In reply to @davea "Nice graphic! Is it copyrighted? If so, do we have permission to use it?" + (show)
@davea

Nice graphic! Is it copyrighted? If so, do we have permission to use it?

Jump to this post

Yes, this graphic (with credit at bottom) can be used as long as a link to the company is included: http://www.otojoy.com 🙂
REPLY
davea | @davea | May 24, 2019
In reply to @pegbell "That graphic is published on the HLAA website but comes originally from a loop designer/installer out..." + (show)
@pegbell

That graphic is published on the HLAA website but comes originally from a loop designer/installer out west -- OToJOY. I will ask them and get back to you...I think they will be fine with anyone using the version that includes their logo and I can get that for you.

Jump to this post

Thanks. I know the folks at OtoJoy.

REPLY
Beverly Zwahlen | @bdzwahlen | May 27, 2019

One of my frustrations is that many Hearing Care Professionals don't mention the benefits of T-coils or Hearing Loops to patients or bother to put them in hearing aids. Hearing Loops really improve your hearing ability in meetings, churches, classrooms, theaters, airports, etc.

REPLY
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