The assistive listening systems that are most commonly available today are predominantly based on the following technologies:
Hearing Loops and T-coils (telecoils)
Infrared transmitters and receivers
FM / Radio transmitters and receivers
For a detailed look at the advantages, limitations, applications, compliance and applicable standards associated with each technology, along with a brief description of how each technology works, click on the button below.
As described in our guide there are advantages and limitations to each technology depending on the application and the environment which it will be used in. However, the most commonly installed systems rely on a combination of hearing loops and T-coils.
Hearing loops and T-coils are still the only technology that meet all the needs of hearing aid users, including intelligibility, discretion, ease of use, transient use and availability.
However, only 22% of hearing aid recipients are told about hearing aid accessories by their health care provider (source).
There appears to be a common misconception by users that relatively few hearing aids have T-coils equipped. In fact, in a recent review of the connectivity of 462 hearing aids and their 756 variants, 286 (38%) had a Telecoil fitted as standard and 316 (42%) had the option to have a Telecoil enabled.
There are a number of factors affecting a user’s compliance with their hearing aid device, including first impressions and utility, if a hearing aid user’s first experience with a T-coil and loop is poor they are unlikely to use the function in the future, drastically reducing the benefit of T-coil enabled device.
Therefore, on behalf of our customers, we are seeking a renewed commitment from the hearing instrument manufacturing and dispensing community to raise awareness and improve equality of access to audio for all hearing aid users.
Access to intelligible broadcast audio signals is a right not a privilege.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD 2006) recognises that everyone is of equal value, has the right to make their own decisions, and should be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.
This led to many countries developing their own legislation protecting the rights of individuals; for example The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), UK Equality Act and European Accessibility Act, to name just a few.
It therefore follows that the 15% of the population who experience significant hearing loss are no less entitled to access to broadcast audio than anybody else.
Many reports reflect the importance of hearing loops and assistive listening:
Download a copy of the Available Assistive Listening Technologies Guide from IHLMA.
T-coil users can receive a sound signal directly to their own hearing aid or cochlear implant without the need for a separate receiver. Therefore, by bypassing any external or background noise and other acoustic distortions, the quality and intelligibility of that sound is much greater.
In addition, hearing loops and T-coils:
*The International Hearing Access Committee (IHAC), includes representatives from:
International Federation of Hard of Hearing People
Deutschen Schwerhörigenbundes e.V. (DSB)
International Hearing Loop Manufacturers Association (IHLMA)
European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (EHIMA)
European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH) · Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)