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Can anyone recommend computer headphones?

Hearing Loss | Last Active: Jul 28, 2020 | Replies (22)

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@ner

Headphones are problematic for those who wear hearing aids, but I'm interested to know if any HOH individuals have tried trading their hearing aids for headphones connecting to the computer or TV. I haven't, but would like to know if it can be done. Also I have greater hearing loss on one side and am wondering if headphones could be adjusted for my particular problem. I would be cautious about putting headphones on over my hearing aids due to feedback, which in my experience is excruciating.

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Replies to "Headphones are problematic for those who wear hearing aids, but I'm interested to know if any..."

@ner I have a friend who has hearing aids with bluetooth device that hangs around his neck that connects his hearing aid to different electronic devices - TV, cell phone, etc...

If you have hearing aids that are equipped with telecoils, you may want to purchase a basic neckloop. You can plug the neckloop into the computer just as you would headphones. Then, put the loop around your neck, turn your telecoils on and bingo. You should hear well. That neckloop also works with cell phones and other audio devices. Quite honestly, it should be standard equipment that comes with hearing aids that have t-coils. A quality Willliams Sound neckloop sells for around $55.

@ner, any piece of Hearing Assistive Technology (HAT) that uses your hearing aids will give you the best results. Your hearing aids are tuned to your hearing loss. All of the big name hearing aid manufacturers can sell you a device that plugs (or not) into your computer or TV that will stream the audio directly into your hearing aids. I mention the "or not" case since you can buy a remote microphone that is specific to your manufacturer. In this case, you place the remote mic near the TV or computer speaker to stream the audio to your hearing aids. The biggest drawback of going the "manufacturer specific" route is that if you change to a different manufacturer of hearing aids in the future, you'll have to buy their product to attach to the computer or TV. Every manufacturer uses a propriety signal to connect to their aids. There is no standard. Also, the manufacturers take us to the cleaners when it comes to this additional hardware that is needed. We pay more than we should. I say this because I don't think this hardware is considered a medical device. I'm not certain. However, we typically have to buy this manufacturer specify hardware from a third party (your audiologist), which adds an additional markup. A universal solution (non manufacturer specific) would be to use an induction loop. @julie04 already responded about this. You need to make sure your aids have a telecoil. If you can find headphones that do not feedback when you have your hearing aids in, an FM system is an option.
Tony in Michigan