In addition to hearing aids, there are several other devices that are designed to help people with hearing loss. These can be used with or without hearing aids to improve your listening experience in a variety of listening environments.
Telephones
Some hearing aids include a feature for talking on the telephone. The telecoil/telephone setting blocks background noise, amplifies speech sounds from the telephone and eliminates the feedback or “whistling” that used to happen when a hearing aid was too close to a phone receiver. Some hearing aids switch automatically to the telecoil setting when you pick up the phone. All wired phones sold today are compatible with hearing aids. Some hearing aids also feature Bluetooth® technology to make them compatible with cell phones.
Televisions and Stereos
Some manufacturers have incorporated a feature into their hearing aids that allows you to stream audio from your television, stereo or computer right into your hearing aids, bypassing background noise. Your family members can listen at the volume that’s comfortable for them, and the sound is transmitted directly into your ear at the sound level that’s comfortable for you. Read more about what’s next in wireless technology.
Induction Loop Systems
Commonly used in large group environments such as places of worship where one person is talking. As they speak into a microphone, the signal creates an electromagnetic current in a special wire that is either permanently installed in the room or, in the case of an individual system, laid in a loop on the floor. When you switch your hearing aid to the telecoil/telephone setting, you receive the signal directly and can hear the person speaking through your hearing aid. Visit www.hearingloop.org for more information.
Personal Frequency Modulation (FM) Systems
These operate like a private radio station on a special frequency. For example, a lecturer wears a special microphone, and as they speak it transmits the sound. You use an FM receiver that connects (plugs) directly into your hearing aid to pick up the sound. These systems can be useful in settings like museums, auditorium lectures, schools, nursing homes or meetings, as well as theaters and places of worship. Visit the American Speech-Language Hearing Association for more information.
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