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! -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!26!Jack.O'keeffe Internet: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org