Induction Loop Systems have been around since 1937 when Joseph Poliakoff filed for a patent in the UK on an Induction Loop Hearing Assistance System featuring what was then called a telephone coil. Over the years, the telephone coil has been shortened to telecoil or just T Coil. Old it may be, but that doesn't make it any less a fantastic solution for people with hearing loss. You need a telecoil and if you already have one on your hearing aids, you need it turned on. Let's talk about why.
An oldie, but a goldie, meet the telecoil
The Telecoil
A telecoil is an antenna for picking up transmissions from any induction loop system, it is basically a small coil inside your hearing aids. The coil works as a small receiver which picks up signals from a loop system that acts as an electromagnetic field. Any hearing aid with an activated telecoil can convert these transmissions into a sound signal.
Where Can You Use Your Telecoil System?
That is the beauty of the telecoil system, almost everywhere that it is a little difficult to hear. The system can be used wherever a loop system is installed. Loop telecoil systems are everywhere in the UK and they are becoming more popular in the US, they can be found in:
- Churches
- Concert halls
- Theatres
- Universities
- Government Offices
- Banks
- Post Offices
- Taxis (London and New York City)
- Airports
- Museums (for guided tours)
Pick Your Hearing Aid Wisely
When you are choosing hearing aids you should consider a device with a telecoil system. Not all hearing aids have telecoils, so you need to consider it at the beginning. Generally, the smaller the hearing aid, the less of a chance it has a telecoil. So choose carefully, I think it is better to have one and not use it rather than want to use it and not have it.
Why Does That Matter To You?
Well, it can be set up in such a way that only the signal from the loop system’s microphone is amplified, and background noise is shut out. That means that you can listen to just the transmitted sound, no interference. Ideal for you if you happen to be at church, in a lecture, in any public building like a Government Office or at the Theatre.
Because all of these places tend to be difficult places to hear, but when you are in them, you tend to want to hear well. I mean this is the original wireless radio system, no streamers, no devices hanging around your neck, just clear audio straight into your hearing aids. you would be mad not to make sure you have one.
The Options For Telecoil Systems
There are basically two options for telecoil systems, they can be set up with just the streamed audio and with your hearing aid microphones turned off. Or, they can be set up with the streamed audio and your hearing aid mics turned on. The second option means that you won't be cut off from your surroundings.
This is a pretty good solution for any situation where you might be with a companion, such as a theatre or the cinema. It is also a great solution for the lecture hall so that you may hear questions asked by the crowd. Your professional can also balance the inputs, so he or she can give you less of your microphones and more of the streamed audio.
You need the pleasure of the telecoil in your life, no streamers, no one knows you are using it, just clear audio direct to your ears
It Needs To Be Turned On
If your hearing aid has a telecoil system, your professional will need to activate it as a programme you can access. It is then as simple as you changing the programme when you need to. Honestly, this is pretty cool kit and with the advent of modern induction loop system, it is just getting better. You need the pleasure of the telecoil in your life! No streamers, no one knows you are using it, just crystal clear audio direct to your ears.
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Posted by Geoff
Geoffrey Cooling
Geoffrey (Geoff, anything else makes him nervous) Cooling is an Irish hearing aid blogger and has been involved with the hearing aid industry for over ten years. He has worked in private practice dispensing hearing aids and as a manufacturer's rep. He has written two books and they are both available on Amazon. He loves technology, passing on knowledge and is legendary for many other things, primarily the amount he curses, his dry and mischievous sense of humour and his complete intolerance of people who are full of themselves. Please feel free to connect with him
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