This just goes to show how different we all are. I am always going to push the telecoil options I guess. I used a Phonak hand held mike years ago that helped me a lot. It was way before the Roger Pen device. I think I went through 3 of them before Phonak upgraded everything to BlueTooth with the Roger device.

I was teaching K - 9 physical education and health then so had to hear a lot of 'little' voices, along with some big ones. That earlier device made it possible for me to remain in the workplace. Those earlier devices were wireless, but depended on the telecoil. The t-coil eliminates background noise. As with all microphone devices, the closer it gets to the desired sound, the better it will transmit. You cannot just put it on the center of a table full of people and expect to hear.

Along came Roger Pen. My evaluation of it was it's 'just OK'. It was way to complex for a lot of people to use. The older device was basic and simple. I do think that new innovations are good, but sometimes they are too complicated to operate correctly for those of us who are not under age 45.

I just upgraded my iPhone from a 6 to a 12mini. I've had it for a month and am still trying to figure it out. Even with help from a Verizon salesperson who was willing to take a lot of time with me, I remain still mystified about some of the things I want and need this phone to do. The old one worked perfectly. I miss it. All this hearing technology is a lot like that.

I keep going back to the telecoil with a neckloop for my cell phone, my computer, my portable radio, etc. because it's easy to use. I've been part of the advocacy effort in our locale to get hearing loops installed. We have them in the performing arts center, and in hundreds of other locations. People say they don't have loops in their locale. The reason is that the people in their region have not done the education and advocacy to get them installed.

If we who are hard of hearing don't get involved in effecting change, who else is going to do it? Our disability is invisible, and it's discounted as a 'minor inconvenience' by people who don't understand what HL does to a person. It just has two Es between the H and the L. 🙂 We know that, but others don't. Sorry for the rant.