Hearing Loops With Hearing Aids
DO ALL HEARING AIDS AND COCHLEAR IMPLANTS COME STANDARD WITH T-COILS?
No, not all hearing aids are equipped with T-coils; however, today 68% of hearing aids now are equipped with them. That number is growing, just 10 years ago, that number was less than half. Cochlear implants are a different story, they do come equipped with them.
DO ALL HEARING AID MANUFACTURERS MAKE HEARING AIDS THAT HAVE T-COILS?
Yes, for the most part. This technology has been available for many years in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden. The United States is far behind, however, we are now embracing this technology and state by state we are becoming more hearing friendly.
WILL MY HEARING DEVICE WORK WITH A HEARING LOOP?
That depends on whether your hearing aids are equipped with a T-coil or not. If your hearing aids are equipped with a T-coil you just need to make sure they have been activated. If they have not been activated, all you need to do is ask your hearing specialist to activate them. If you do not know if you have a T-coil, talk with your hearing aid specialist and they will be happy to let you know.
OK, MY T-COIL IS ACTIVATED, NOW WHAT DO I DO?
It is simple, just push the button and you will be connected automatically to the hearing loop. It’s that easy! You have just doubled the usefulness of your hearing devices and no extra equipment was necessary.
CAN A T-COIL COME IN ANY MODEL OR STYLE OF HEARING AIDS?
Most behind the ear (BTE) hearing aids come with a T-coil being standard. They may need to be activated but they should be available for you. Custom instruments also are available with T-coils, sometimes as an option that may need to be ordered when your hearing specialist processes your order. The smallest hearing aids, the invisible in the canal (IIC) or completely in the canal (CIC) may be a different story. Depending on the size of your ear, there may not be any room available to add that option to such a small shell. Take the time and discuss your options with your hearing instrument specialist. It’s well worth it!
MY HEARING INSTRUMENT HAS AN “MT” ON THE SWITCH. WHAT IS THAT?
That position on your hearing instrument allows you to not only hear what is coming in from the T-coil but also allows you to listen simultaneously to sounds that are surrounding you via your microphone at the same time.
I HAVE WORN HEARING DEVICES FOR MANY YEARS. WILL I BE ABLE TO ADJUST TO THE QUALITY OF SOUND FROM A T-COIL?
Yes, the difference in the quality of sound will be less background noise and pure sound being delivered into your ear just like someone is speaking directly into your ears.