Hearing Loss

Lesson 3: Assistive Devices

FM & Infrared Systems

FM Systems

There are also AM and FM systems you can use but FM is much better sound. FM systems are a radio link between the sound and the listener. There is some kind of microphone that transmits the sound to the receiver, which sends the sound to the ears.

The microphone can be something that clips onto a speaker’s shirt, can be handheld, or can be a more complex system as in a movie theater. Headphones attached to the receiver can be used without hearing aids. But there are also devices that can attach to hearing aids and bring the sound in through them.

Many theaters have FM systems you can use while you’re there. I’ve learned from experience though, that it’s a good idea to call ahead to make sure they have the battery charged, have the system on, and have them available. Just because they have them doesn’t mean they always have them available. If you can use the telephone, call ahead to check. If not, ask someone else to make the call for you.

One terrific FM system is the HandyMic by Widex. (http://www.widex.com).

You can also use it with your telephone or television, but you need additional parts for that. They are easy to obtain and when you get your HandyMic, your hearing practitioner or audiologist can tell you what you need and how to do it. I found the parts at Radio Shack and it was fairly simple to do.

The microphone of the HandyMic has three settings that allow you to adjust it for various listening situations:

• Superdirectional mode is used in very noisy surroundings where you want to hear one person at a time. It comes with a neck cord which makes it easy for the person to hang it around their neck and talk normally. That brings the sound right into your ears and blocks out the most background noise.

• Directional mode is used in noisy surroundings and is good for talking to 2–3 people at a time. Directional mode blocks out some background noise, but not as much as superdirectional.

• Omnidirectional mode is used when you’re in a situation where sound is coming from all over. That could be a conference, a dinner table, or similar circumstances.

You’ll learn by experience which modes are best for you and when, but always use the provided antenna to boost the signal if you’re more than a couple of feet away from someone. I find even at the dinner table, the antenna helps boost the signal and avoid static.

The small parts that clip to your hearing aids have the controls that will allow you to choose from three methods of hearing. One setting is for the HandyMic only, one is for hearing aids only, and the third one is for both hearing aids and the HandyMic. You’ll find your own comfort levels for every situation.

Don’t be afraid to ask someone to carry it while they speak. If it’s possible, most people won’t mind. But don’t forget to get it back after!

For more information about HandyMic, please visit: The HandyMic Page

Infrared

There are also systems available that use infrared to transmit sounds to a receiver that works either through a headset or with your hearing aids. Infrared uses infrared light waves and is supposed to give you better sound. Sound is converted by the light waves then transmitted to the receiver worn by the listener, then converted back to sound again.

Many theaters use infrared and you can learn more about it at Sennheiser

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