How you can benefit from a telecoil in your hearing aid

The telecoil is a really useful hearing aid feature that is often overlooked by many wearers. In this article we’ll look at what it is and how you can benefit from its use.

What is telecoil?

A telecoil is a small metal wire coiled around a metal rod located inside a hearing aid. It acts as an antenna picking up magnetic signals and turning them into sounds streamed through your hearing aids.

Internal mechanisms of a Widex behind the ear hearing aid with telecoil

How does it work?

The telecoil works as a receiver picking up signals from a loop system that acts as an electromagnetic field. If the telecoil feature has been activated on your hearing aids they will convert the electromagnetic field into a sound signal. Only the sound from the loop system’s microphone is amplified and background noise is minimised.

Do I have telecoil in my hearing aids?

Many behind-the-ear style hearing aids are fitted with telecoil. If your hearing aid has a T-switch or telecoil program then you will be able to activate the feature. Some in the canal hearing aids do not have telecoil due to their small size. Ask your hearing aid dispenser or audiologist if you are not sure.

How can it help me?

If you are at a place where a loop system is installed then the telecoil feature of your hearing aids will stream spoken word directly into your ears whilst minimising background noise. For example at a place of worship you should be able to hear their voice of the speaker directly into your ears meaning you’re seating distance from the speaker will have little or no impact on how clearly you hear them.

Where can I use it?

You can use the telecoil feature wherever a loop system has been installed and activated. They can be found at: -

• Places of Worship
• Concert Halls and Theatres
• Taxi Cabs (London)
• Guided Tours – Museums, Buses
• Counters – Banks, Libraries, Stations, Airports and Shops

If you see the below symbol this should signify a loop system has been installed.

Telecoil Loop System Symbol

Telecoil Loop System Symbol

Who can I seek for assistance?

If you are interested in hearing devices then contact your hearing aid professional to find out more. If you are local to Bournemouth then contact us to find out how you can benefit from a telecoil.

References

Sheehan, Jay: Understanding Hearing Loops: [http://www.audiologyonline.com/articles/understanding-hearing-loops-794]: [Dec 5, 2001]

[Unattributed]: What is a telecoil?: [http://blog.widex.com/post/83699151141/telecoil]: [Apr 24 2014]

Protect your hearing aids from moisture

As hearing aids are worn on and/or in our ears moisture cannot be completely avoided. However it is very important to keep your hearing aids dry to make sure they continue to work properly. A clever way to do this is to use a drying pot/bag and drying capsules.

To use: -

• Add a drying capsule to the reusable drying pot/bag.

• Place your hearing aid/s in the drying pot/bag without the batteries and leave the battery door/s open as this allows moisture to escape more easily.

• Ensure you close the lid of the drying pot or seal down the bag and leave overnight.

• In the morning your hearing aids will be ready to wear.

Keeping your hearing aids dry helps to prolong their lifespan and ensures they remain in the best working condition. Bags, pots and capsules are available from us. Contact us today or click the link to find out more about batteries and consumables.

Get the most from your hearing aid batteries

Zinc air batteries are powered by air. When your hearing aid batteries need changing make sure that when you have taken the tab off the battery you wait a minute or so to give the air a chance to get into the battery. This will help ensure that you “power up” the battery to its maximum.

Click the link to find out more about hearing aid batteries.

Why are hearing aids expensive?

There is no getting away from the fact that for many purchasing hearing aids is seen as a costly exercise. So why are hearing aids expensive? Hearing aids are commonly marketed as a commodity much like TV’s and laptops but the professional skills that are involved in selecting, fitting and rehabilitating a person who needs a hearing aid are commonly overlooked. This way of marketing is carried out for simplicity for the consumer and is based on the assumption that from the outset a hearing aid provider would expect to give the same level of care to each and every one of their customers. Therefore the differentiation in pricing is often based on the level of technology that is chosen between the consumer and hearing aid dispenser. When purchasing a hearing aid privately it is important to remember that the selecting, fitting and some form of rehabilitative care will usually all be included in this price.

I still don’t understand why costs are high please tell me more?

Hearing aid manufacturers spend millions on research and development as they constantly push the boundaries of hearing aid technology. Despite the technology used in hearing aids being as advanced as that used in laptops, TV’s and smartphones the average hearing aid price is generally more expensive. However, unlike laptops, TV’s and smartphones, hearing aids are not a mass market consumer product. In 2013 hearing aids sales worldwide were approximately 10 million units. Compare this to Apple’s iPhone sales that alone were 150 million units. When hearing technology is more readily accepted by the world’s population (much like spectacles) then due to economies of scale we believe pricing will decrease.

What about the cheap hearing devices I see advertised?

There are some really cheap hearing devices advertised but these are often personal sound amplifiers (PSAPs) which are used to encourage people into a store or to sign up to a database before they are recommended a hearing aid more suitable for their hearing range. Many PSAPs cannot be programmed specifically for your hearing range and will not be available in a custom fitted in-the-ear style. Be aware that many cheaper hearing aids that are available with discounts or two for one offers can be older products that have been superseded.

What should I look for when purchasing a hearing aid?

In our opinion the most important aspect of purchasing a hearing aid is to ensure that you will be receiving a first class service with your product.

At Key to Hearing our prices include your hearing aid/s, our professional skills including hearing aid selection, fitting and programming, our comprehensive two-year aftercare package, a two-year supply of batteries and all of this in the comfort of your own home.

All of these elements ensure that we can maximise your hearing potential and get the best from your hearing aids. We believe it is really important to choose a skilled hearing care professional that you’re comfortable with and with whom you can build a rapport.

We’ll finish with this quote from a Which magazine report last year on purchasing hearing aids privately. “The difference between a good and bad hearing aid outcome is not often the aids themselves – it’s more to do with the fit and service given by the provider”. Bear this quote in mind next time you are looking to purchase hearing devices and make sure you understand what is included in the price.

Boost your TV listening experience

Difficulty hearing speech on the TV is a common issue that we come across when visiting our customers. People might say “I can hear people speaking, but can’t always make out what is being said” or “the TV volume and voices vary so much it makes it hard to follow”. With extra slim TVs now being the norm the space for speakers has shrunk considerably with many people nowadays resorting to soundbars or additional “home theatre” setups to help hear the TV with more depth and clarity.

We know that hearing aids can make a difference to those who have difficulty hearing the TV and can prevent you having to adjust the volume to loud levels potentially annoying partners or neighbours. However, did you know that if you already wear hearing aids there is a portfolio of wireless accessories that work in partnership with your hearing aids specifically to help you with the TV?

TV streamers are one of these very accessories. They transform a person’s hearing aid/s into a wireless stereo headset. A wireless neck loop links the hearing aid/s to a small TV base unit that is wired to the TV.

When in use, a message is sent to the hearing aids to tell the person that the system is connected and ‘on’. The TV signal is then delivered wirelessly from the TV via the neck loop to the hearing aids without any noticeable delay. If needed, fine tuning adjustments can be made by us to enhance the listening experience.

The system is ideal for allowing people to comfortably hear the TV at their preferred volume and does not affect the loudness for other people in the room. It is quick and easy to install and has a range of up to 30 meters (100 ft).

TV streamers are available from all the main hearing aid manufacturers including Phonak, Unitron Starkey and Oticon. Please contact us to find out more or take a look at our hearing aid accessories page for further information.