Arizona Bill Requires Education about Telecoils
Editor: The Arizona legislature is considering a bill that requires
audiologists and hearing aid dispensers to inform consumers about
telecoils and their function. Is this a great idea or what?
Note that Florida already has such a law!
Here's the press release from the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and
the Hard of Hearing
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Background
Magnetic coupling technology called "telecoil,"
"t" coil, "audio switch" or "t" switch has
been available for hearing aids and cochlear implant processors for a
number of years. This technology enables Deaf and Hard of Hearing users
easy access to sounds not just from telephone equipment, but from a
number of other electronic audio equipment such as radio, CD players,
MP3 players, movie theaters, assistive listening devices, public address
systems and so on.
Why a requirement for consumer education on telecoils?
Many consumers - especially first time hearing aid users - are
unaware of the potential benefit of this technology. Consumers often
fail to inquire about telecoils when they purchase hearing aids, or fail
to notice and use them properly if they already have them. Audiologists
and hearing aid dispensers in Arizona are not required to educate their
clients about the benefits of telecoil technology.
The case for a law requiring telecoil education for hearing aid
consumers
· Telecoils were initially provided on hearing aids to help the user
hear better on the telephone. The Telecommunications Act of (1996)
required all phones to be compatible with telecoils.
· Also around 1996, audio loop equipment became available for large
area public address systems in places such as meeting rooms, theatres,
churches, airports and so on. This equipment works with telecoils to
increase the quality of sound for the hearing aid user.
· Consumers have a right to be educated about technology that will
assist in providing them with a better quality of life.
· With the cost of hearing aids well into the thousands of dollars,
consumers have the right to be educated about every facet of that
purchase and how to best use their hearing aids.
· As Arizona's baby boomer generation gets older, and increasing
numbers of people continue to move to the state, the numbers of
Arizonans with hearing loss are only expected to dramatically increase.
Currently, there are about 450,000 people with hearing loss in Arizona.
That number is expected to increase 20 percent by 2010.
The Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing fields
many calls from hearing aid consumers who are uncertain how to use their
telecoils or are unaware if their hearing aids even have the technology.
These consumers say they were never educated about telecoils at the time
they purchased their hearing aids.
The Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing proposes
to open the Arizona Department of Health statute 36-1909 and add the
following language:
36-1909. Bill of sale required
A. A hearing aid dispenser or dispensing audiologist shall deliver a
bill of sale to each person supplied with a hearing aid by the hearing
aid dispenser or the dispensing audiologist or at that person's order or
direction.
B. A bill of sale shall contain the hearing aid dispenser's or the
dispensing audiologist's signature and shall show the address of that
person's regular place of practice and the number of that person's
license, a description of the make and model of the hearing aid and the
amount charged. The bill of sale shall also state the serial number and
the condition of the hearing aid as to whether it is new, used or
rebuilt.
C. A BILL OF SALE SHALL CONTAIN LANGUAGE VERIFYING THAT THE CLIENT
HAS BEEN EDUCATED ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF THE "AUDIO SWITCH,"
ALSO KNOWN AS THE "TELECOIL," "T COIL" OR "T
SWITCH" TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING INCREASED ACCESS TO TELEPHONES AND
ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS REQUIRED UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH
DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990.
D. A BILL OF SALE SHALL CONTAIN LANGUAGE EDUCATING CLIENTS ABOUT THE
ARIZONA TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES
ASSISTIVE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES TO ARIZONA RESIDENTS WITH HEARING LOSS
AS DEFINED IN ARIZONA STATUTE 36-1947.
Contact: Liz Olson, Policy Planner & Public Relations Coordinator
(602) 364-1579
elizabeth.olson@acdhh.state.az.us
About the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing
Established in 1977, ACDHH is a state agency serving a population of
approximately 450,000 deaf and hard of hearing in the state of Arizona.
In addition to information and referral, ACDHH administers the state
relay service, performs interpreter licensure, and oversees a
distribution program of telecommunications equipment for those with a
hearing loss. To learn more about the agency, visit http://www.acdhh.org.
