Hearing Doctors of Georgia

When Hearing Aids Are Not Enough-Part 2

                        HEARING AIDS ARE NOT ENOUGH SERIES

 This week’s discussion is on loop systems.  As mentioned previously, hearing aids assist in hearing better overall but very often patients continue to have difficulty understanding the TV, cell phone and landlines.   Loop systems are very often used specifically in places of worship, lecture halls, movie theatres and other public venues.  These systems are hard wired in a selected area and special equipment is paired with the loop and utilized during worship services, meetings and performances. The advantages of using this device are that it “cuts out” the background noise and enables the listener to hear the speaker(s) directly without interference. A great example of this type of system is used in the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Loop systems may also be individualized and used in the home in conjunction with a telephone coil switch that is built into the hearing aid.  It is important that the hearing aid discuss the activation of this part of the hearing aid with their audiologist especially with the newer digital hearing aid systems.  If you wear a complete in the canal hearing aid device you will not have a telephone coil.  There is not enough room in your hearing aid to house the coil.  This is a definite disadvantage and should be a consideration when you are discussing and purchasing new devices.

There are several loop systems that available; cushion, wired loop  and plug in systems.  The differences between the selected systems are wiring, portability, individual verses group use.  The plug in system is directly connected to the TV and is used with the telephone coil as is the other loops mentioned.  Some systems such as TV Ears are also plugged directly into the television and the user relies on a separate device that is part of the TV Ears unit. This is compatible with the TV Ears base.  The unit is wireless and the user may control the volume of the TV.  It may also be used with your hearing aid in conjunction with a neck loop.  The hearing aid must have a telephone coil.

Hearing Doctors of Georgia has 5 convenient locations in Atlanta, Georgia.  We carry the various loop systems.We are available to assist you in selecting the proper device for your hearing needs!