Modern hearing assistive technology can be overwhelming at first, but a discussion with your audiologist should make things a lot clearer. Basically different types of technology are more suitable to specific types of hearing loss. The function of hearing assistive aids is to make sounds accessible either by amplification or by alerting other senses in cases where a hearing aid is not sufficient. Many people with hearing problems cannot hear in large groups so hearing assistive technology will send sound directly to the listener’s ear. There are particular benefits in place for this form of technology such as concert halls or meeting rooms.
Assistive Listening Devices
An assistive device cuts through background noise and makes it sound as if the speaker is next to the listener rather than across the room. There are many types of devices that achieve this.
A Telecoil in a loop system
A Telecoil is also known as T–switch, or telephone setting within a hearing aid or cochlear implant which allows amplified signals to be converted into sound directly into the ear. Here’s how it works. Sound is picked up by a microphone usually, that picks up a person speaking, and sometimes it can be a microphone attached to a television or some other kind of audio output.
This audio signal is put into the ‘loop’ which wirelessly emits a signal that is picked up by the telecoil usually found in hearing aids.
The telecoil converts this signal back to sounds, amplifies them and sends them into the ear.
The benefit of a telecoil used with a loop system is that it overcomes problems with hearing at a distance and removed the problem of background noise interfering with hearing people speaking.
Personal Amplification systems
Pocket Talker with Directional Microphone and Neckloop.
A small personal amplifier is generally used for one to one communication or TV listening and they boost sound between 20 to 25 dB. The directional microphone accepts the sound which is transmitted to the Telecoil within the hearing aid via a neckloop or silhouette. Their functions are to reduce background noise and interference.
FM Systems
These systems work, in the same way as the pocket talker, but transmit sound from the transmitter via an FM signal to the receiver and are a far better audio quality but also more expensive to buy. They are generally used as a standalone unit or connected to public address speakers. Some FM systems can be used to link with Bluetooth signals like mobile phones and can be of particular use in the workplace at meetings etc. The range is quite long compared to loop systems and pocket talkers.
Assistive hearing technology is improving all the time and just because something did not work for you a year ago does not mean it will not work today.