Using a Personal FM System to Hear More Clearly

Hearing aid technology keeps getting better, but hearing aids

alone do not make listening easier in all situations. Many things

can interfere with listening, such as: background noise, a far

distance from the sound source, and sound reverberation. Most

hearing aids perform best in quiet environments or when sitting

close to your conversation partner.

Using a Personal FM system (with or without hearing aids) makes

it easier to hear in noisy environments or when conversing at a

distance. They are also very helpful for watching TV or listening

to other audio devices.

What are Personal FM Systems?

Personal FM Systems are devices that

can help those with hearing loss function

more normally in day-to-day

conversation. An FM system is often an

accessory to hearing aids bu can be used

without hearing aids as well. FM systems

work like small radio stations.

There is a small radio transmitter attached to a microphone, and

a small radio receiver worn by the listener. For hearing aid users,

the most convenient receivers are at ear level. The microphone is

placed on or near the person or device the listener wants to hear.

The transmitter can also be connected directly to an audio device

by using a stereo cord. This means the transmitter is plugged in

to the TV’s audio output jack, or into an MP3 player or iPod for

easy ear-level hearing, without removing the hearing aids. The

transmitter sends the radio signal to the receiver and essentially

decreases the listening distance to merely inches instead of

several feet.

Where Would I Use an FM System?

Large distance between listener and sound source: The

further away you are from a speaker, the harder it is to hear the

conversation, because the loudness of a sound decreases rapidly

as it travels over a long distance. So, while you may have no

difficulty hearing someone close by, you may have considerable

difficulty hearing the same person from across the room.

Noise in the environment: Most rooms have background noise

that competes with the sound of interest. Background noise can

make hearing very challenging. For optimal hearing, speech

should be louder than the noise.

This isn’t possible in some situations, such as at a large cocktail

party or in a busy restaurant. Background noise can also make

hearing in the car more difficult. Television program producers

often include background noise to create a dramatic effect. For

those with hearing loss, the noise often means a missed punch

line or that the volume is so loud the conversation is drowned

out.

Poor room acoustics and reverberation: Sound waves bounce

off hard surfaces such as windows, walls without coverings and

hard floors. This creates a reverberation that the ear experiences

as an echo. The result of excessive reverberation is a mixed

message in the brain, followed by miscommunication.

Any one of these conditions can create communication problems.

Add them together and the effects can be debilitating. Personal

FM systems are a great way to overcome these issues.

What is the expected cost of a Personal FM system?

Buying an FM system for personal use is an additional expense

beyond personal hearing aids. An FM package, including the

transmitter/microphone and ear-level receivers may cost from

$2,500 to $3500. For use without hearing aids, a Personal FM

system can be as little as $200 up to $1000, depending on the

complexity of the system.

New hearing aid systems, such as the ReSound Alera allow for a

“companion” microphone accessory that transmits sound from a

microphone worn by the communication partner directly to the

hearing aids. This accessory can be added to the hearing aid

purchase for as little as $400.

The new technology in hearing aids is phenomenal.

Advancements allow for better control of noise in the background

and for better speech enhancement. Still, there will be times

when an environment is too noisy or a hearing loss is too great to

overcome the difficult listening environment. Personal FM

systems are a great way to combat this issue and are a great

companion accessory to a hearing system.

If you think you might benefit from an FM System, call our office

for a free demonstration and see what an FM system can do for

you.

For More Information, Call Fidelity Hearing Center At: (562)-732-

4713

Or

Visit Us At:

http://hearingaidslongbeachca.com