FM is radio technology and pretty basic. FM systems were often put in churches in the 90s and beyond. They require receivers to access sound. A headset is plugged into the receiver, and the sound goes direct to the headset/ears from the master microphone in a PA system. When using a headset, the person has to remove their hearing aids. When using a neckloop plugged into a receiver all you have to do is turn on the telecoils in your hearing aids, and you receive the sound from the master microphone.

As the hand held wireless microphone evolved, it started as a 2 piece wireless FM system that transmitted to hearing aids via a 'boot' connected to the aid(s). Then BlueTooth evolved, and became the system of choice for manufacturers and was built into the hearing aids, so a boot is no longer needed. It is great tech, but it adds a big $ chunk to the cost of the hearing aids. (Telecoils cost about $10 to include; BT over $1000) BT has to be paired to each person's individual equipment. In other words, an FM system or a Loop system can be paired with one mike and everyone in the room can use it by turning on their telecoils. ASIDE: Less costly hearing aids can work as well as more expensive ones if they are fit right. But, there is a lot more $ to be made by the industry when more sophisticated/technical products are pushed.

A neckloop can be plugged into any audio equipment that has an input jack. I use mine all the time with my laptop. Also with a good old fashioned Walkman Radio I still have. It will work with cell phones, tablets, iPods, etc. In some cases you may need an inexpensive adapter to fit into the audio device. The secret is that it brings the sound direct to your personal devices w/o any ambient noise.

Hard to explain w/o getting 'wordy'. 🙂 Let us know if you try it.