For reasons of simplicity we'll refer to it on this page as a telecoil.
How a Telecoil works
Normally a hearing aid picks up sound through its microphone, but some hearing aids also have another way of picking sounds: through their telecoil. This allows them to 'tune in' to specially transmitted sound without interference from background noise. It's especially useful in a place where sound has to cover a large distance, such as a Theatre, Church or Cinema.
The sound is picked up by a microphone on stage (for example) and turned into electromagnetic waves that travel invisibly through the air from a loop of wire that is hidden around the room. The telecoil in your hearing aid turns these waves back into sound.
The effect is as if you were listening to the sound up on stage with the person speaking directly to you. The sound is undiluted by any echoes/reverberation in the room or the effect of travelling over a distance.
Six Examples of When You Can Use a Telecoil
- In a public building such as a Church or Theatre. It's great for hearing over a distance.
- On special 'hearing aid compatible' telephones. This is a good way to hear clearly on the telephone without your hearing aid whistling.
- When watching TV. You can get yourself a home loop system (or neckloop) so you can listen to TV at the volume you like it without annoying your neighbours (or anyone else in the room).
- In some shops and banks. You get the cashier directly in your ears and can cut out a lot of the background noise.
- Listening to MP3 players etc. through your hearing aids.
- Reducing the amount of background noise and "tuning in" to the person you want to hear, when used with an FM Radio Assistive Listening Device.
How to tell if your hearing aid has a Telecoil
You should check with your hearing aid audiologist. Sometimes you hearing aid will have one but it may have been disabled to keep things simpler for you whilst you got used to it or because you didn't originally need one.
Tip for Finding if Your Hearing Aid has a Telecoil or Loop
If you think your hearing aid may have a telecoil, switch it over to what you think is the appropriate setting and hold it up to an analogue watch... you should be able to hear your watch tick.
But remember…
Telecoils need a transmitter in addition as the correct setting in your hearing aids. Some shops or buildings forget to turn on their telecoil, so always ask them if you are in doubt.
And don't forget that if you need any further advice, we're always here to help!