Pink Blog

Hearing Loss - What Is A Telecoil Or A T-Switch?
By Val Bedard

Have you ever seen a telephone being advertised as being "hearing aid compatible"? What does that mean? This article will shed some light on a very important and handy feature you can have on your hearing aid.

A telecoil (commonly called the "t-switch") is a feature on hearing aids that allows the aid to "hear" magnetic signals instead of (or in addition to) the normal audio signal. It allows the listener to hear an audio signal that is transmitted magnetically (instead of via sound). Many telephones and assistive listening devices can output a magnetic signal which hearing aids with a telecoil can "hear". The microphone on the hearing aid is usually turned off, so that the listener only hears through the telecoil (no background noise).

Hearing aids fitted with a t-switch (telecoil) allow the user to hear better on the telephone without the squeal of feedback. The telephone emits an electromagnetic field when in use so the telecoil inside the hearing aid picks up the signal and converts it into sound. Not all telephones contain a telecoil, but if you see "hearing aid compatible" then you know it is equipped with the telecoil.

When using a telephone and a telecoil (t-switch) equipped hearing aid, it takes some experimenting by the listener to find the best position for the phone receiver to pick up the strongest magnetic signal. Usually it requires the receiver to be placed slightly behind the ear if you have "behind-the-ear" hearing aids. Talk with your hearing aid provider and practice finding the best position for your phone receiver to hear the best signal.

Most public telephones are hearing aid compatible which means I can use my "t-switch" and hear beautifully on the telephone. In fact, I can be in a noisy bar or restaurant and hear just fine on the hearing compatible telephone. This is good to know that in case of an emergency, I can call for assistance. Many years ago while driving home from work in busy rush hour traffic, my car stopped and wouldn't start again. Imagine seeing a huge number of cars stopped in rush hour traffic because of me! I was frantic and put my hood up on the car and walked to the nearest telephone (this was before cell phones became so popular). Fortunately for me there was a fast food restaurant with a public telephone booth and so I was able to put my hearing aid on the "t-switch" and could easily hear well enough to arrange for my car to be towed. When I put my hearing aid on the "t-switch", all the background sounds are unheard and all I hear is what is coming through on the telephone. If I couldn't use my t-switch on my hearing aid, I don't know if I would have been able to speak to someone on the telephone and arrange for a tow truck, it was a noisy restaurant with all sorts of sounds that would have easily drowned out any sounds of a voice coming through on the telephone. I am so grateful for my t-switches!

So when looking to purchase your hearing aids, be sure to enquire about the t-switch! This t-switch will allow you to have access to many assistive listening devices that are available for the hearing impaired. There is no reason to let your hearing loss stop you from a full and happy life!

Val Bedard has a profound hearing loss since birth. She owns her own business Hear Well Services Ltd. (http://www.hearwell.ca), sells assistive listening devices for the hearing impaired, can be reached via email at info@hearwell.ca or by telephone at 1-888-549-2092.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Val_Bedard
http://EzineArticles.com/?Hearing-Loss—What-Is-A-Telecoil-Or-A-T-Switch?&id=881433