There are many hearing aid accessories that can improve your listening experience. Many hearing aids come with telecoil technology that can help you stream sound into your hearing aid. This can significantly improve your hearing in places like:
- Airports
- Churches
- Lecture halls
- The Golden Gate Theatre and other performing arts venues
- Auditoriums
- Museums
- Public transit
How Do They Work 
Hearing loop systems use electromagnetic energy to transmit sound directly to your hearing aid. They consist of a sound source, an amplifier, a loop of wire and a telecoil. Telecoils, also known as t-coils are small copper wires coiled in most hearing aids. They work as a receiver that picks up electromagnetic signals from a variety of sources like telephones and loop systems.
How to Use
Hearing aids enabled with telecoils have a “T switch” that lets you receive signals either from the hearing aid microphone or a loop system. Switching on the T-setting turns off the microphone so only signals transmitted from the loop system are heard. When you are near the loop, you will receive clear sound that removes or minimizes background noise.
Should You Consider Telecoil?
Telecoils help individuals hear more clearly and improve the quality of sound coming into their hearing aids when in large venues. Many people who use the technology are very happy with the results.
A 2014 study published in The Hearing Review asked users of telecoil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants to rate their ability to hear in places where telecoil is regularly used on a scale of 1-10 (1= heard nothing, 10= heard every word.)
They found that:
- Only 13.5% rated their hearing devices as 8 or higher when not using loop systems
- 86% rated their hearing devices as 8 or higher when they did use loop systems.
However, not all hearing aids come with telecoil technology. Small hearing aids, like those that fit completely in the ear, don’t have telecoils because their size does not allow for it. If you have a strong preference for smaller styles then telecoil might not be the best option for you.
Talk with your audiologist about what you want to get out of your hearing aids and discuss your lifestyle needs. Together you can find the best device for you.
For more information about telecoils or to schedule an appointment, call San Francisco Audiology today.