[misc.handicap] Loop Vs Fm Vs If Assistive Listening Systems.

dmimi@uncecs.edu (Miriam Clifford) (01/04/90)

Index Number: 6017

Re: Loop vs FM vs IF assistive listening systems.

Only one point of disagreement.  Loop systems are stronger and, if
good quality, the strongest and clearest of the 3 kinds of ALSs.
But MANY hearing impaired people, particularly older ones, do not
have t-switches in their aids or are not yet using aids.
Unfortunately most in-the ear aids have none.  Since loop systems
(at least those I've heard about or used) can only be used with
t-switches, that leaves a lot of people who need it unable to use
the ALS.

FM and IR can both be used with t-switches or with head phones or
ear phones as well as with a loop for the t-switch.  The FM is
stronger than the IR and doesn't have some of the other
disadvantages--line of sight, interferance by someone in the way or
poor location of the transmitter, etc, so I prefer it.

Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe) (01/10/90)

Index Number: 6172

 MC> Loop systems are stronger and, if good quality, the strongest
 MC> and clearest of the 3 kinds of ALSs.

I would certainly agree with you on the strength and clarity of loop
systems, Miriam.  But what are "IF" systems?  I guess you meant IR,
since the F is just below the R on qwerty.

 MC> But MANY hearing impaired people, particularly older ones,
 MC> do not have t-switches in their aids or are not yet using
 MC> aids. Unfortunately most in-the ear aids have none.

It has been estimated that only about 15% of the hearing aids sold in
the U.S. are equipped with telecoils (T-Switches).  Many dispensers
fail to mention the option to their patients, or think (incorrectly)
that the telecoil is just for telephone use.

Our congress, in it's wisdom, has decreed that 100% of all wired
telephones sold in the U.S. be telecoil-compatable.  Does this make
sense when there is no requirement that aids be telephone compatable?

 MC> Since loop systems (at least those I've heard about or used)
 MC> can only be used with t-switches, that leaves a lot of people
 MC> who need it unable to use the ALS.

Inductive receivers ARE available for use with loop systems by
people who are not fortunate enough to have a telecoil in their aid.
We have these available (made by Williams Sound) at our SHHH chapter
meetings.  I recall one meeting in a noisy location where we had
looped our area.  Even some hearing people were using our inductive
receivers in order to hear clearly.

 MC> FM and IR can both be used with t-switches or with head phones
 MC> or ear phones as well as with a loop for the t-switch.  The FM
 MC> is stronger than the IR and doesn't have some of the other
 MC> disadvantages--line of sight, interferance by someone in the
 MC> way or poor location of the transmitter, etc, so I prefer it.

And then there was that meeting where the folks on the FM system
were interrupted about every 30 seconds by someone dispatching
taxicabs :-)

Loops can be the clearest, strongest, most convenient, and most
economical of assistive listening systems.  And, increasingly, more
hearing impaired people have the receiving equipment built into
their aids.  At least one manufacturer now has an effective telecoil
for ITE aids.  I think loop systems may be de-emphasized by some
greedy suppliers because they can be a less costly alternative.

Jack.

... Xpress Yourself!

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