1. < Hearing Loss

Bluetooth vs hearing aid

Posted by kem @kem, Mar 8, 2021

I have Resound and have used Plantronics previously. With both hearing aids, I can hear more clearly on the iPhone with a plantronics bluetooth. I have tried every option that the audiologiist suggested. Would an Oticon work any better? What is the technology that makes the plantronics transmission better? I also used my hearing aids with a landline but simply give up and call them back on my iPhone with plantronics instead.

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kem | @kem | Mar 8, 2021
In reply to @tonyinmi "@kem Thanks for clarifying. That does make sense. The Plantronics device sounds impressive, especially since the..." + (show)
@tonyinmi

@kem Thanks for clarifying. That does make sense. The Plantronics device sounds impressive, especially since the phone could stream to both hearing aids and you're probably only listening with one ear using the Plantronics, correct? I'm assuming you have "Made for iPhone" models of Resounds. There should be ALMOST no reason that your Resounds could not be tweeked to match the performance of the Plantronic device. It's very possible that the frequency response of the hearing aid is not as good as the Plantronics. Most hearing aids only go up to about 8000 Hz, I think. In that case, I can understand why the Plantronic device is superior. Some speech sounds are higher than 8000 Hz. The problem is finding an audiologist that is willing to work with you. I'd appreciate if you could give me the model of that device so I could look up the specs.
Tony in Michigan

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Toni, the Plantronics Voyager 5200 has an audio of 6800 hz. Spec sheet is on Amazon.

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1 reply
tonyinmi | @tonyinmi | Mar 8, 2021
In reply to @kem "Toni, the Plantronics Voyager 5200 has an audio of 6800 hz. Spec sheet is on Amazon." + (show)
@kem

Toni, the Plantronics Voyager 5200 has an audio of 6800 hz. Spec sheet is on Amazon.

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@kem, since the Plantronics only goes up to 6800 Hz, your audiologist should be able to get either the volume or clarity that you need from your Resounds. There are a lot of Bluetooth phones but I cannot help you with the one that may work the best for you. Ideally, a properly tuned hearing aid should give you the best performance. I take it you plan on using it like your Plantronics (without using the hearing aids). Here's a place in Michigan that sell Hearing Assitive Devices:
https://www.harc.com/collections/bluetooth-phones
Tony in Michigan

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kem | @kem | Mar 8, 2021

Toni, thank you! I’ll look them over. It seems that the magnet mentioned in the Resound book should also help with the issue but the AUD did not mention them. Or is the magnet for something else?

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kem | @kem | Mar 8, 2021
In reply to @julieo4 "Whomever sold you the hearing aids would be able to tell you if you have telecoils...." + (show)
@julieo4

Whomever sold you the hearing aids would be able to tell you if you have telecoils. The fitter has to activate them as they are not automatically activated. Far too many fitters don't bother to do that, or to even tell people about them. Nine states now have legislation that requires this disclosure by people who sell hearing aids. Others are working on it. It's a shame that people with hearing loss have to depend on each other to advocate for such.

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Julie, thank you! Yes, that is frustrating about the telecoils. Especially that the legislature had to get involved. I sent an email to my AUD.

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1 reply
Cheryl | @th1 | Mar 8, 2021
In reply to @kem "I don’t know if I have telecoil the description is linx 3D 9, lt962, drw I..." + (show)
@kem

I don’t know if I have telecoil the description is linx 3D 9, lt962, drw I also do not have any phone magnets. Perhaps I should have them for the landline.

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Always get the telecoil. I know of no reason not to and a whole bunch of reasons to get it.

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Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Mar 8, 2021
In reply to @kem "Julie, thank you! Yes, that is frustrating about the telecoils. Especially that the legislature had to..." + (show)
@kem

Julie, thank you! Yes, that is frustrating about the telecoils. Especially that the legislature had to get involved. I sent an email to my AUD.

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Please let us know what you find out from your AUD. It would be a real shame if your hearing aids did not have telecoils. Some don't.

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kem | @kem | Mar 9, 2021

The audiologist reply “your telecoil is not activated that is a separate program. You have what is called an acoustic phone program right now.”

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1 reply
Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Mar 11, 2021
In reply to @kem "The audiologist reply “your telecoil is not activated that is a separate program. You have what..." + (show)
@kem

The audiologist reply “your telecoil is not activated that is a separate program. You have what is called an acoustic phone program right now.”

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This is so frustrating. The telecoil can be used to connect to many audio devices. Why on earth they don't activate it is a mystery. The reason they will give is "It's old technology". The real reason: It doesn't add profit to the product like BlueTooth does. BT is great, but it does not replace the telecoil.

Look at it this way. You walk into a performing arts center, church, or other venue that has an installed hearing loop. All you do is turn the telecoil on to connect. With BT, FM or Infrared, you need to ask for a receiver and either use its headphones or a personal connecting device like a neckloop to plug into that receiver. So much easier to just flick the switch on the hearing aid and use the telecoil. It's like having binoculars for the ears. Read about telecoils and loops at http://www.hearingloop.org Also, it's very easy to install a loop system in your own home for watching TV. It works on the phone; cell or landline.

If more people with hearing loss would get involved in advocating for communication access, we'd have accommodations galore.

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1 reply
kem | @kem | Mar 11, 2021
In reply to @julieo4 "This is so frustrating. The telecoil can be used to connect to many audio devices. Why..." + (show)
@julieo4

This is so frustrating. The telecoil can be used to connect to many audio devices. Why on earth they don't activate it is a mystery. The reason they will give is "It's old technology". The real reason: It doesn't add profit to the product like BlueTooth does. BT is great, but it does not replace the telecoil.

Look at it this way. You walk into a performing arts center, church, or other venue that has an installed hearing loop. All you do is turn the telecoil on to connect. With BT, FM or Infrared, you need to ask for a receiver and either use its headphones or a personal connecting device like a neckloop to plug into that receiver. So much easier to just flick the switch on the hearing aid and use the telecoil. It's like having binoculars for the ears. Read about telecoils and loops at http://www.hearingloop.org Also, it's very easy to install a loop system in your own home for watching TV. It works on the phone; cell or landline.

If more people with hearing loss would get involved in advocating for communication access, we'd have accommodations galore.

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Are you saying that if a telecoil were activated in my hearing aid, I would be able to hear better on a landline?

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1 reply
Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Mar 11, 2021
In reply to @kem "Are you saying that if a telecoil were activated in my hearing aid, I would be..." + (show)
@kem

Are you saying that if a telecoil were activated in my hearing aid, I would be able to hear better on a landline?

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Yes. If the landline is hearing aid compatible. Most are.

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