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.

Not the first time, but my SECOND audiologist was so helpful! Change your audiologist if he/she doesn't mention T-Coils.

REPLY
@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

People just do not want to deal with hearing issues because they do not want to admit needing something to help such as a hearing aid/ cane/ assistance from muggles( family/ friends) also as in my case and too many others is the cost of aids . Who has $6000 to spend . As I mentioned to a few folks at the convention in Rochester , NY ; shocking them too is that some of these over the counter aids are good as a backup for me in case my 16 plus hearing aids dies.. my loss is moderate to severe- cochlear implant t next year ( maybe - very hesitant- heard of jazz goer - that his friend got them and he no longer enjoys music - guy telling me this is with hearing - I went to Rochester Jazz after convention)
Stigma of aids is very far reaching. I have seen this all my lives. Also isolation/ depression impairs folks to the extent WHY BOTHER. Old age ( not enough is clarified on this alone ) and hearing loss with no family / friends means people will not endeavor to hear / interact . I am getting more and more in the category. People are calling me out on it. Case in poi t.i am having gallbladder surgery on July 22 Nd and I resent the fact that I must have someone to pick me up-no Uber allowed. I stated to folks who seems once a month or so that I think this is wrong and burdensome. They I cannot keep on trying to live life as a hermit. I interacts with folks on the street/ interacts at parks/ walks/ give tourists information but have no real friends and no family. I rather read then go out. I i Tera then Mimiialistily y. I have to walk/ bike to make sure I am okay back wise- kneewise . If I did not, my pain is worse. If it wasn’t for this, I would be reading all day. Pointing this out because a lot of folks isolates themselves for a lot of reasons. Hearing issues is one of the most dominant issue on the reasoning. We were the rock and rollers goi g to concerts and noise issues . Sorry for long bit

REPLY
@bookysue

People just do not want to deal with hearing issues because they do not want to admit needing something to help such as a hearing aid/ cane/ assistance from muggles( family/ friends) also as in my case and too many others is the cost of aids . Who has $6000 to spend . As I mentioned to a few folks at the convention in Rochester , NY ; shocking them too is that some of these over the counter aids are good as a backup for me in case my 16 plus hearing aids dies.. my loss is moderate to severe- cochlear implant t next year ( maybe - very hesitant- heard of jazz goer - that his friend got them and he no longer enjoys music - guy telling me this is with hearing - I went to Rochester Jazz after convention)
Stigma of aids is very far reaching. I have seen this all my lives. Also isolation/ depression impairs folks to the extent WHY BOTHER. Old age ( not enough is clarified on this alone ) and hearing loss with no family / friends means people will not endeavor to hear / interact . I am getting more and more in the category. People are calling me out on it. Case in poi t.i am having gallbladder surgery on July 22 Nd and I resent the fact that I must have someone to pick me up-no Uber allowed. I stated to folks who seems once a month or so that I think this is wrong and burdensome. They I cannot keep on trying to live life as a hermit. I interacts with folks on the street/ interacts at parks/ walks/ give tourists information but have no real friends and no family. I rather read then go out. I i Tera then Mimiialistily y. I have to walk/ bike to make sure I am okay back wise- kneewise . If I did not, my pain is worse. If it wasn’t for this, I would be reading all day. Pointing this out because a lot of folks isolates themselves for a lot of reasons. Hearing issues is one of the most dominant issue on the reasoning. We were the rock and rollers goi g to concerts and noise issues . Sorry for long bit

Jump to this post

@judysmayo
Hi,

First good luck on the gall bladder surgery but I don’t understand why you said Uber is not allowed or why you feel that having someone pick you up is burdensome and wrong. Having surgery is not a trivial thing and you sound like you don’t impose yourself on anyone. I agree that the cost of hearing aids is prohibitive and that hearing loss can be isolating. You said you interact with others when out in public which sounds to me like you are a social person at heart. Not having family around is unfortunate. May I suggest you join some sort of organization or gym or senior center ( not sure of your age) or volunteer in order to meet people. Putting yourself out there initially is not easy but gets easier over time. You don’t want to be a hermit....that’s a good start.

You walk and bike...that is great and maybe you can use that to your advantage...there are walking and biking clubs. A lot depends on where you live too. Here in Florida in my area there are way too many subdivisions and gated communities. If you don’t drive, that can be so isolating. I grew up in a city and moved to a vibrant urban community when I married and miss that here although I do have family very near. I joined a gym when we moved to where I am now and after I retired (gated community) and met new people who became friends over time. All my friends are hearing although I do attend monthly HHLA meetings.

It’s up to us to generally make the first move in establishing relationships and to do so in an upbeat way. I find that a sense of humor works best and anyone who can’t be bothered to learn how to speak or interact with me is not worth my time. Happily most people are kind and willing to engage. Nothing beats a big smile.

Regards from FL Mary

REPLY

You are more a people person. I am not. I am active because I love it. I will perhaps join a senior center . Ping pong / billiards anyone .maybe learn pickleball.. I do not mind being alone and that’s an issue with everyone . I did join friend in the city group and someone kicked me out- and she was allowed to-she always winced when I talk . Very sad she was allowed to do this. The president and board members say otherwise even with email group. Meet up is something I do sometimes. I go to jazz events . Life is hard and it is easier for me without folks-sorry

REPLY

T cos were around long before looks systems. It was for landline phone help more then 17 years ago. Thing is because of the local chapters and conventions I found out about t coils for hearing looped setups - wiring along the floor etc to hear direct to tcoil for Amtrak announcements . Meetings are looped so more folks can hear at a chslter meeting. I use ticks as a fm recieved almost to better hear at music events/ tv without captions
My aids being 1$ years old has better analog hearing quality
at this convention and at local chapter meetings; I am hearing audiologists are not encouraging tcoil setting . They assumed Bluetooth setup works for looped setup s and all. The convention folks says otherwise.. sounds like a new invention to takes place tcoil/ blurooth combo . Hard to keep track. Jam not tech savvy.

REPLY

Yes, I have a 'good' audiologist and she told me my t-coils - one setting for phone, one for public looping. She makes a good point though. No one uses looping. But that's changing! (I hope I hope) See the latest issue of Hearing Life by the Hearing Loss Association of America - all about looping. And https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/technology/hat/hearing-loop-technology/

REPLY
@mmyatt01757

Yes, I have a 'good' audiologist and she told me my t-coils - one setting for phone, one for public looping. She makes a good point though. No one uses looping. But that's changing! (I hope I hope) See the latest issue of Hearing Life by the Hearing Loss Association of America - all about looping. And https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/technology/hat/hearing-loop-technology/

Jump to this post

When looping is known . To be available and how to access it - it is used. Sunday’s back from. New York.city on Amtrak was less traumatic by accessing the loop for announcements. Bluetooth may be the new way to access or not. You can only do so settings in hearing aids. Has anyone seen what Bluetooth does. I cannot because my aids are too old.

REPLY

Telecoils are beneficial not only for hearing loops but also use with neckloops and ADA mandated hearing assistive technology. Telecoils also work with most headsets (yes it can be a bit awkward to position over a hearing aid or CI - but can work) and audio wands used for audio tours in the US and abroad. Hearing loops and Telecoils are expected to be around for at least another 10-15 years or longer. See recent statement from the IHAC committee.

Shared files

IHAC_Hearing Loops and Telecoils statement (IHAC_Hearing-Loops-and-Telecoils-statement.pdf)

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.