Hearing Assistive Technology - What do you find helpful?

Posted by Julie, Volunteer Mentor @julieo4, Feb 8, 2022

There are many types of assistive technology that can make life with hearing loss easier. Often, people who could benefit are not aware of the technologies existence or availability. Hearing aids are #1, but what comes next? Are you familiar with hearing loops, FM systems, Infrared systems, streamers, hand held microphones, etc.? Please share what works for you.

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I have a severe hearing loss and found the closed caption app on my phone very helpful when calling someone.

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Hearing aids. They are not perfect but they make my life more enjoyable. Costco has good hearing aids at reasonable price.

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My new Phonak hearing aids have bluetooth technology....love it for watching TV and my Iphone.Phone calls are directed immediately to them!

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Something else that I forgot to mention is our church has a loop that was installed three years ago...you can sit anywhere in the church and hear crystal clear. This requires having T-Coils in the hearing aids.

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@scottk

My new Phonak hearing aids have bluetooth technology....love it for watching TV and my Iphone.Phone calls are directed immediately to them!

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For the TV do you need a streamer or can the bluetooth connect directly to the TV? Thanks

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What technology would allow me to have TV audio directly to my ears or hearing aides and still allow others to hear the TV? I tried to pair my ear buds with the TV but no one else could hear the TV. I may not have modern enough equipment as I think the TV Sound Bar must need to be the wireless thing to pair to?
I have enough volume but cannot make out words etc. sometimes. I use closed caption when it's available.

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Bluetooth streaming directly into hearing aids. On the phone particularly, bluetooth streaming allows me to hear the speaker with both ears instead of one, greatly aiding my comprehension. A bluetooth streaming device connected to the computer allows me to participate in Zoom exercise classes without having to watch the screen at all times. Bluetooth streaming of movies and TV into hearing aids hugely enhances my understanding and experience, as I'm less dependent on captions. It's a quality-of-life game changer.

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@ner

Bluetooth streaming directly into hearing aids. On the phone particularly, bluetooth streaming allows me to hear the speaker with both ears instead of one, greatly aiding my comprehension. A bluetooth streaming device connected to the computer allows me to participate in Zoom exercise classes without having to watch the screen at all times. Bluetooth streaming of movies and TV into hearing aids hugely enhances my understanding and experience, as I'm less dependent on captions. It's a quality-of-life game changer.

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Your hearing aids BlueTooth feature is bringing sound from desired sources directly into your hearing aids. That's what BT does! It won't connect you to systems installed in performing arts centers, meeting rooms, churches, etc. For that you will likely need telecoils. Do you use telecoils? What brand/model hearing aids are you using?

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@luvsibes

What technology would allow me to have TV audio directly to my ears or hearing aides and still allow others to hear the TV? I tried to pair my ear buds with the TV but no one else could hear the TV. I may not have modern enough equipment as I think the TV Sound Bar must need to be the wireless thing to pair to?
I have enough volume but cannot make out words etc. sometimes. I use closed caption when it's available.

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Have you thought about having a room loop installed in your TV area? If you have telecoils in your hearing aids, all you would have to do is flip the telecoil switch and you'd hear what is being broadcast. Most find the clarity with this system incredible. Others would hear too. Has your hearing aid provider explained telecoils with you?

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@scottk

Something else that I forgot to mention is our church has a loop that was installed three years ago...you can sit anywhere in the church and hear crystal clear. This requires having T-Coils in the hearing aids.

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@scottk Thank you for sharing this. Loops are like magic in large venues. It's a shame that the people who fit hearing aids don't always explain telecoils to their customers. How did you learn about telecoils? And loops?

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