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Telecoils in hearing aids. How do you use yours? What can they do?
Hearing Loss | Last Active: Apr 25, 2021 | Replies (17)Comment receiving replies
I am quite elderly, getting new hearing aids, and want to know if a telecoil equipped hearing aid would help me. I am not sure I am understanding what I am reading here. No public buildings have telecoil eqiuipped rooms in my area.
Would telecoil equipped hearing aids help in a book club meeting of about 25 comfortably spaced people in a library room? Would I need a loop? A microphone?
On my smart phone,could it replace bluetooth?
Can I connect with a loop to my computer for enhanced sound?
Are there any negative things to consider on getting a telecoil equipped hearing aid?
Thanks.
Replies to "I am quite elderly, getting new hearing aids, and want to know if a telecoil equipped..."
You can connect a personal neckloop to any audio device that has an input jack for headphones. That includes cell phones, iPods, iPads, some TV sets, computers, portable radios, etc. The neckloop works with the telecoil in the hearing aid through induction technology, which simply means it broadcasts to your hearing aid when the hearing aid microphone is turned off. That eliminates background noise. If you install la hearing loop in a TV room, anyone sitting inside that looped area can turn on telecoils and hear very clearly. The key is that it blocks out the background noise that makes hearing difficult for us.
Loops can be installed in theaters, meeting rooms, performing arts centers, classrooms, etc. When you enter a looped room, you simply turn on the telecoil in your hearing aid to hear w/o background noise. There is no limit to the number of people who can use the system. It works when the microphone attached to the venue's public address system is being used. Adding a telecoil to a hearing aid does not add cost to that hearing aid.
BlueTooth is similar and involves 'streaming'. It's great with cell phones, and can be used with a TV. BlueTooth cannot be used in a larger venue as each person who wanted to use it would have to supply a microphone to the sound source. (Visualize a speaker wearing 25 clip on microphones.) BT adds a big number to the cost of a hearing aid. Worth it for many, but not for all.
You may get more information about telecoils and loops at: http://www.hearingloop.org
PS: The Americans with Disabilities Act requires 'communication access' in public venues. Many places use other technology like FM systems and Infrared systems. To use those with your telecoils you have to connect a personal neckloop to the receiver that is provided. Without a neckloop you would have to take your hearing aids off and use a headphones. People w/o telecoils can use a loop system by connecting headphones to a receiver provided by the venue.
So much easier to simply walk into a venue, push a button on your hearing aid and hear well.
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Definitely ! Telecoil equipped heating aids could help enormously in a large book group if you use a portable loop with an auxiliary microphone on a long cord. Put the mic out in the middle of the group ( you may have to move it around a time or two) and keep the portable at your side and you will hear better. And also, yes to the computer sound. It requires a small cable to connect to the computer, but sound is delivered clearly, directly into your hearing aids. I use mine every day!!