1. < Hearing Loss
Mentor

Hand held microphones that can be used with hearing aids

Posted by Julie, Volunteer Mentor @julieo4, Aug 1, 2020

I'm curious to know if any hearing aid and cochlear implant users use streamers, FM systems or Bluetooth microphones in noisy settings? There's lots of talk about speech to text apps on cell phones. They work well but sometimes it's hard to read on a device when talking to someone in person. I've found the BT mini mic very helpful. Prior to having personal hearing devices with BT capability I often used an FM transmitter/receiver microphone the same way. I used it with students when I was a teacher, and also used it with adult clients when I did social work. It made it possible for me to stay in the workplace. I'd like to hear your experiences with this technology.

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

Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Aug 4, 2020
In reply to @peach414144 "Thank you but can I use the hand held microphone to read what is on the..." + (show)
@peach414144

Thank you but can I use the hand held microphone to read what is on the medical bottles for my low vision eyes? I do have a hearing loss with my left ear. I really need this help. Who should I see, an Ear, Nose and throat doctor? When I did he sent me to a dentist who said he cannot help me.

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Do you have an independent living center in your area? They serve people with all disabilities. Our ILC in Green Bay Wisconsin has a wonderful array of assistive technology for all people. Our center also has a loan center, so you can try out different devices. We had a very interesting program at our HLAA meeting a year ago. The presenter shared many devices for low vision, hearing loss, mobility, etc. Many people with multiple disabilities need support. I don't know of a mini mic that can read information, but that doesn't mean that there isn't something that will.

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lioness | @lioness | Aug 4, 2020
In reply to @peach414144 "Hello: I would use any device that could read to me what is on my medical..." + (show)
@peach414144

Hello: I would use any device that could read to me what is on my medical prescription containers to help me with my low vision. I think this is medically necessary and life saving. And, I can continue to be independent. I love and thank all of you wonderful people for this delightful information. ( I do have some loss of hearing in one of my ears.) I hope I understand this properly. Will continue to watch with a large font. Peach

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@peach414144 Hi peach a friend here has low vision and we have a company that works with people who have low vision supplying them with whatever they need like darker sunglasses and a talkable thermomater . I think you should talk with your opthamalogist for here assisstance

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1 reply
peach414144 | @peach414144 | Aug 4, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@peach414144 Hi peach a friend here has low vision and we have a company that works..." + (show)
@lioness

@peach414144 Hi peach a friend here has low vision and we have a company that works with people who have low vision supplying them with whatever they need like darker sunglasses and a talkable thermomater . I think you should talk with your opthamalogist for here assisstance

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Thank you Lioness but here in Ocala, Florida there is no literature, paraphanalia or anything in the different opthamalogist offices. When one asks for this it is ignored. There is no guidance. They know nothing of referring to a blind school private or government run. No one does not know how to put this together or will not be bothered to do this, No literature in the offices for the blind or the deaf. ( I have mentioned this a few times.) why? Please, am not looking to make any kind of trouble here but some one straighten me out.

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2 replies
peach414144 | @peach414144 | Aug 4, 2020
In reply to @peach414144 "Thank you Lioness but here in Ocala, Florida there is no literature, paraphanalia or anything in..." + (show)
@peach414144

Thank you Lioness but here in Ocala, Florida there is no literature, paraphanalia or anything in the different opthamalogist offices. When one asks for this it is ignored. There is no guidance. They know nothing of referring to a blind school private or government run. No one does not know how to put this together or will not be bothered to do this, No literature in the offices for the blind or the deaf. ( I have mentioned this a few times.) why? Please, am not looking to make any kind of trouble here but some one straighten me out.

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Will you please send me he name of the company you use please. Thank you, Peach.

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imallears | @imallears | Aug 5, 2020
In reply to @peach414144 "Thank you Lioness but here in Ocala, Florida there is no literature, paraphanalia or anything in..." + (show)
@peach414144

Thank you Lioness but here in Ocala, Florida there is no literature, paraphanalia or anything in the different opthamalogist offices. When one asks for this it is ignored. There is no guidance. They know nothing of referring to a blind school private or government run. No one does not know how to put this together or will not be bothered to do this, No literature in the offices for the blind or the deaf. ( I have mentioned this a few times.) why? Please, am not looking to make any kind of trouble here but some one straighten me out.

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@peach414144
Hello,
IN OCALA THERE IS THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR THE BLIND 352-873-4700 WHO HAVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION FOR LOW VISION . I DON’T KNOW WHERE IN OCALA YOU ARE BUT ST LUKES CATARACT AND LASER CLINIC TREATS BOTH EYE PROBLEMS AND HAS HEARING SERVICES WHERE THEY CAN TEST YOUR HEARING AND PRESCRIBE AIDS IF NECESSARY. MY OPHTHALMOLOGIST IS AT ST LUKES NEAR ME. I THINK IT WOULD BE A 45 MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE CITY OF OCALA.

THERE ARE NUMEROUS HAND HELD MAGNIFIERS OR ONES THAT YOU CAN WEAR AROUND YOUR NECK OR FOLD UP TO PUT IN YOUR POCKET. YOU CAN SEE SOME ON AMAZON. THERE ARE ALSO COMPUTER PROGRAMS THAT WILL ENHANCE THE SIZE OF YOUR SCREEN AND DEVICES THAT CAN BE HOOKED UP TO THE TV. YOU MAY NEED SOMEONE TO DO THE RESEARCH FOR YOU BUT THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR THE BLIND MAY BE A GOOD PLACE TO START.

IF THERE ARE NO DISCUSSIONS ON LOW VISION ON THIS MAYO FORUM , MAY I SUGGEST THAT YOU START ONE BY SIMPLY ASKING...DOES ANYONE HAVE LOW VISION? OUR WONDERFUL MENTORS CAN GUIDE YOU ON HOW TO DO THAT.

FL MARY.....West Coast

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Aug 5, 2020

@imallers Glad you could give peach that information We have one in Calif as my eyes are going that way ,those centers do help

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@sag. Susan | @sag | Aug 5, 2020
In reply to @bec "when i use the "listen live" feature on my iPhone, i also get a lot of..." + (show)
@bec

when i use the "listen live" feature on my iPhone, i also get a lot of environmental noise. it doesn't have any type of noise filtration. it is beneficial when the person i want to hear is pithing 2-3 feet of my iPhone.

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@sag I’m new to participate, but have been reading Connect for a while and am so impressed at the help/sharing by so many. I’m going to be evaluated for a CI in several weeks, currently wear HAs. One ear is severe to profound loss and the other is moderate to severe. I want to find out all I can about the accessories that go with HA’s and the pros and cons of CIs to decide whether to stay with HAs or get a CI, if I qualify. The technology is overwhelming. First question is from reply just above in reference to a feature on an iPhone called “listen live”. Is “listen live” a speech to text transmission app for an iPhone and is it available in the App Store? I’ve seen several entries that comment on background noise, but I’d like to at least give it a try. Also @bec just above says “it is beneficial when the person I want to hear is pithing 2 -3 feet from my iPhone”? What does that mean? Thank you.

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1 reply
tonyinmi | @tonyinmi | Aug 5, 2020
In reply to @sag "@sag I’m new to participate, but have been reading Connect for a while and am so..." + (show)
@sag

@sag I’m new to participate, but have been reading Connect for a while and am so impressed at the help/sharing by so many. I’m going to be evaluated for a CI in several weeks, currently wear HAs. One ear is severe to profound loss and the other is moderate to severe. I want to find out all I can about the accessories that go with HA’s and the pros and cons of CIs to decide whether to stay with HAs or get a CI, if I qualify. The technology is overwhelming. First question is from reply just above in reference to a feature on an iPhone called “listen live”. Is “listen live” a speech to text transmission app for an iPhone and is it available in the App Store? I’ve seen several entries that comment on background noise, but I’d like to at least give it a try. Also @bec just above says “it is beneficial when the person I want to hear is pithing 2 -3 feet from my iPhone”? What does that mean? Thank you.

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@sag, in order for Live Listen to work with your hearing aids, the aids have to be Made For iPhone aids. I don't know all the hearing aid manufacturers that have this capability, but my Resound Linx 3D's do. Live Listen lets you use the microphone on the iPhone as an input to your hearing aids. In other words, you would give your phone to the person you want to hear. They talk into your phone mic and the sound is sent to your hearing aids. I do not know the range, but it is quite far. You would access Live Listen by pressing the Home button on your iPhone 3 times fast. On that screen, is a button that allows you to turn the feature on and off
Tony in Michigan

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@sag. Susan | @sag | Aug 5, 2020

My hearing aids are Oticon Opn MiniRITE. They do not have a telecoil and are not made for iPhone aids. However I have an Oticon On app on my iPhone 7 which puts the caller's voice directly into my hearing aids and it works very well. The app must've been updated since the last time I looked at it. Maybe it has some other functions now. I need to read about it. Thanks, Tony

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1 reply
peach414144 | @peach414144 | Aug 7, 2020
In reply to @sag "My hearing aids are Oticon Opn MiniRITE. They do not have a telecoil and are not..." + (show)
@sag

My hearing aids are Oticon Opn MiniRITE. They do not have a telecoil and are not made for iPhone aids. However I have an Oticon On app on my iPhone 7 which puts the caller's voice directly into my hearing aids and it works very well. The app must've been updated since the last time I looked at it. Maybe it has some other functions now. I need to read about it. Thanks, Tony

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I thank you for this but when you cannot see the app it will not work. I do thank you again, Peach

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