Hearing Aid Compatibility

Editor: Those of you who are able to use a voice telephone with the aid of a telecoil may be of the opinion that you can't use a cell phone. If that's what you think, you're probably wrong. Curtis has done some research on this topic and reports that hearing aid compatible cell phones ARE available, and can be a viable option for people who use hearing aids. I've talked to one user that Curtis set up, and he claims that he hears better on his cell phone than he does in person!!

If you want more information, or are thinking about setting yourself up with a cell phone, contact Curtis at hearmeco@telegram.infi.net.

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Question: What is a Hearing Aid Compatible phone (HAC)

Answer: It is a telephone that emits a magnetic flux. Telecoils pick up this magnetic flux.

Question: What is a telecoil?

Answer: It is a coil of wire included with the hearing aid. About 6 coils can be fit onto the size of a fingernail. The wire is finer than a strand of human hair. The wire in one coil is over 10 feet long. Always ask for a Pre-amplified telecoil. They are most powerful.

Question: Do all hearing aids have telecoils?

Answer: Telecoils can be fit into all but the smallest of hearing aids. This includes Body type aids, Behind-the-Ear (BTE) aids, and In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aids.

Question: Why is this important to hearing aid users?

Answer: It's the beauty of telecoils. They turn off the hearing aids microphone. Sounds that interfere with hearing on the phone AND feedback are eliminated!

Question: So how do I hear?

Answer: Through the telecoil. It receives the magnetic flux from telephones and changes to sound. The other beauty in it is that the hearing aid then transforms the sound to fit your hearing loss.

Question: How do I activate the telecoil?

Answer: Generally, hearing aids have a switch that turns it on. You do this manually or by using your remote control.

Question: So why don't digital cellular phones have telecoils?

Answer: Telecoils need a power source.

Question: Why doesn't the battery in the cellular phone power it?

Answer: It seems to be a manufacturing consideration. To take the power from a cellular phone battery is detrimental to its concept - portability, battery drainage, battery life, distance, etc.

Question: What is the solution?

Answer: A neckloop.

Question: Can any neckloop be used with any cellular phone?

Answer: No. The cellular phone must be manufactured to accommodate a neckloop.

Question: Is this available?

Answer: Sure is! Nokia cellular phones make a bunch of phones that can use a neckloop.

Question: But it still needs a power supply?

Answer: Yup. The Nokia neckloop is self-powered from hearing aid batteries.

Question: Any Nokia phone?

Answer: Nope. Just the 51 through 61 series line of cellular telephones. There are several to choose from each series.

Question: If the phone is dangling from a neckloop how do I speak into it?

Answer: The neckloop also has a microphone. This means you don't need to use the mouthpiece of the phone. . So clip the phone onto your belt, insert it into its holster or lay it on your lap or car seat, etc. Just hear and talk. Communicate via cellular phone!