I helped my HLAA chapter select and install a hearing loop that we donated to a NYC branch library. I love it. Many people that use it at our monthly meetings love it also. The technology may be old but its still excellent! As technology for the HH goes, its very cost effective and easy to maintain. It is much less expensive to install and maintain than FM or infared systems. That is one of the reasons why David Myers (mentioned upthread) has worked so hard to try to make this technology more popular in the US.
I'm happy that the NYTs wrote about this -- some of my friends have said that many people have approached them after reading the article and said that they will ask their audiologists to sell them HAs with telecoils the next time they purchase a pair. Since many audiologists are reluctant to take the time to explain hearing loop technology to their customers and as a result usually choose not to have the optional telecoil installed in HAs that they sell -- this is GREAT news.
Actually, I think it may be possible for telecoils to be added to HAs already owned depending upon their size and the brand. This does involve returning the aids to the manufacturer and obviously costs more than getting them included in the HAs in the first place.
I've always had good experiences with them, so I do find that surprising.
No. I think the journalist didn't really understand what he was writing about so the article was not as clear as it could have been. A NYTs blogger also wrote about this the next day and I think he or she did a better job:
A Clear Channel for the Hearing-Impaired - NYTimes.com
No name unfortunately -- I would like to know who the author was.
FM and induction loop (another name for hearing loop) technology are two different things. Hearing loop technology is potentially much less expensive per person. However, unless you are using a very small portable one that you set up and take with you, you are dependent upon the other person or business to purchase and maintain most of the components of the hearing loop system.
The only thing you need are the telecoils in your hearing aids. Alternatively, you can purchase an induction loop receiver and place the headphones over your ears, or hearing aids if the HAs are programmed not to cause feedback.
Telecoils are better.
Also, FWIW, the induction loop receivers at our library pick up a hum that most HA users with telecoils don't hear. I think that is because the audiologists have programmed the HAs not to hear that particular frequency that EMFs are known to "hum" at. Unfortunately the receivers I know about were not designed to do that. Perhaps there are better brands that do so.
Although some schools and movie theatres use FM systems, it is more common for FM systems to be smaller systems sold to individuals who hand their own microphone and transmitter over to whomever they are interested in listening to. So one advantage of some FM systems is that the HA user who owns one is not dependent upon another business or person to have part of the FM system installed.
Often people have the option to use both FM and telecoils simultaneously.
I can explain how both systems work and how hybrid systems work if anyone is interested -- but for now I just want to make it clear that this is two different technologies. You can use a hearing loop without using an FM system.
HAs vary by brand in how strong their telecoils are. If your HA telecoil isn't strong you may prefer to use a silhouette instead of a neckloop. Here's an example:
link
You can get single instead of dual silouettes also.
The good thing about hearing loops is that after they are purchased and installed -- it costs almost nothing to use them. The bad thing about hearing loops is that they are only useful to HH people and can't be used by anyone who has no residual hearing.
Loops can be very easy to install. The library where my HLAA chapter's donated system was installed has
acoustic ceiling tiles. It was just a matter of temporarily removing the tiles near the walls and running the wire right above where the tile ceilings was installed. The difficulty level was probably somewhere in between changing light bulbs and connecting a computer to a printer by by cable.
If the room that needs a loop doesn't happen to have acoustic ceiling tiles (extremely common in most office and school buildings) -- most people don't notice wiring run along the edge of ceiling or floor moldings.
That's great! And for people who aren't handy you can get ready made kits to set up yourself.
I have heard that some people have set up this system in their cars as cars are usually very difficult places for most people to hear their passengers.
Does anyone know where I can get a Do it yourself kit for my home? I may also ask if the company I work for can install these in our boardrooms and\or my cubicle are.
