Your hearing aid might be equipped with a telecoil, or you might be considering one that has a telecoil built in. This small coil of wire may seem simple, but the benefits it can provide to people who use it are manifold. Read on to learn more about what a telecoil can do for your ability to hear.
Your Telecoils inside hearing aids detect magnetism. Unlike conventional microphones and amplifiers, which amplify all sounds that hit them, a telecoil will only transmit sounds that are created magnetically. Originally, the main use for this function was to better hear telephone conversations. The speakers in older telephone handsets contained powerful magnets. The telecoil-enabled hearing aid could therefore provide a clear transmission of only those sounds coming through the telephone. Newer phones no longer use magnets in this way. However, because the telecoil function is so wonderful for hearing aid users, many contemporary phones contain additional electronics to make them telecoil compatible.
The usage of telecoils started with the phone, but now they are utilized in many ways. They are frequently used in conjunction with Assistive Listening Systems in stadiums, movie theaters and auditoriums. You may find that a venue will offer you a headset to assist in transmitting these signals. Because these magnetic sounds are often higher clarity than what you can hear acoustically, you may find that a telecoil can significantly enhance your enjoyment of an event.
The way you use your telecoil will vary depending on the type, age and size of your hearing aid. Telecoils are more commonly found in larger hearing aids, such as those that rest behind the ear. Older hearing aids can be switched between telecoil and microphone modes using a physical switch on the device. Digital hearing aids will have programs for telecoil and microphone modes. Switching between modes might be accomplished by pressing a button on the hearing aid or on a remote control.
You may have learned about interference when using a telecoil: it can happen, but it is rare. You may notice a buzzing sound that grows louder the closer you get to a CRT computer monitor, old fluorescent light, or another cause of interference.
The possibility of interference is a minimal price to pay for the many advantages offered by telecoil-equipped devices. The cost of a telecoil-enabled hearing aid is only slightly higher and well worth the additional functionality.