The “T” in the above pictures stands for Telecoil. It tells people to activate their telecoils because the venue has a hearing loop. Do your hearing aids have telecoils? Most people do not know and have no clue what telecoils actually are and why they may be important.

Telecoils are wireless antennas that are already manufacturer-installed in most hearing aids and in cochlear implants. They help people access hearing loops that are installed in many venues across the United States. Click to check on your State. By the way, loop locator lists may not be complete due to inconsistent reporting on installations.

If there is no loop, one might ask why not?

If you have telecoils, call the venue that you will visit ahead of time to inquire about loop access.

That said, hearing loops can be accessed by anyone who has a telecoil-equipped device, such as a loop listener or even telecoil-enabled headsets or earbuds. Hearing loss, hearing aids or cochlear implants are not required to hear clearly through a loop.

A matter of communication access.

Unfortunately, the telecoil issue is often not discussed with patients during hearing aid consults and fittings. Many specialists deem hearing loops to be “old” technology that confuses clients and that does not merit a lot of time.

Of course, this limits people’s communication access choices and options when in reality installers report that they notice an increase in demand for hearing loops. Does your State have a requirement for State-funded building projects ─ for new buildings and for remodels ─ to implement good acoustic design and hearing loops in public gathering spaces? Minnesota does. Why would one accept to stay locked out communication-wise when States actually try to help?

And so, now that you know, ask about telecoils.

The specialist has to “activate” them for them to work. Also, get instructions on how and when to use them. Hint: Look for the blue signs with the T!

Learn about Hearing Loops and advocate for them.

The cooperation between telecoils and correctly installed and conformity-certified hearing loops are so far the only way for getting crisper and clearer sound in larger and often noisy venues such as places of worship, conference rooms, convention centers etc. Hearing loops are non-proprietary and work with the telecoils in any hearing aid brand.

With COVID still about, right now would be a good time to plan ahead for the time when society opens up again. Who knows? Maybe now is also the time to get an advantageous installation deal?

One thing is for sure: There is no time like the present to start growing the “Loop Lists”. We want to see lots and lots of blue “Loop” signs.

Note: Loop Minnesota does not favor one manufacturer/distributor or product over another. Website links are for information and illustration only.

*****

For questions, contact us.

Also, visit my website at hearing-loss-talk.com where I blog about all sorts of issues related to hearing and hearing loss.