Telecoils and Hearing Loops

March 27, 2019

If you’re new to the world of hearing aids, you may be baffled by all of the technical terminology that surrounds hearing aid use. Choosing the hearing aid that’s right for you may seem like a nearly impossible task, thanks to the wide variety of models that are available, each with their own extremely distinctive set of features.

In fact, the best way to determine which hearing aid is right for you is by consulting with your hearing healthcare professional. They’ll be able to help you analyze your needs and determine which features you absolutely need to maintain your current level of independence and activity.

Two features that you’re likely to hear about many times during the hearing aid shopping process are telecoils and hearing loops. Sometimes called t-coils, telecoils are a type of antennae that are capable of converting magnetic signals into sound. Most hearing aids that include telecoils are capable of picking up hearing loops, which are magnetic signals transmitted to telecoils. Most Phonak hearing aids in Waterloo, IA are equipped with telecoil technology.

How they work

Telecoils are magnetic antennas that can pick up signals and amplify them, while eliminating background noise. A hearing loop is an area where a magnetic signal is being sent out to any telecoils that may be in the area. This is particularly helpful in crowded environments, where you’re trying to hear one central noise, like at a theater or in a museum. Hearing loops essentially stream only the most essential sounds from any given environment directly to your ear.

To activate your telecoil and tune-in exclusive to the hearing loop, there’s likely a button or switch on your hearing aid that you can activate. This will begin tuning out background noise and amplifying the sounds sent over the hearing loop.

Where to use them

There are a number of environments in which hearing loop technology is present. Churches, theaters, lecture halls and museums are likely to implement hearing loop technology. New York City and London taxis also implement hearing loops. You can identify an area with a hearing loop by the hearing loop logo, which looks like an ear with a “T” in the bottom righthand corner.

Most modern hearing aid models include telecoils, and are compatible with spaces that are enabled with hearing loops. However, some smaller models, like invisible in-canal hearing aids, don’t include telecoils because of their size. It’s important to remember that the only one capable of recommending the right type of hearing aid for you is your hearing healthcare professional. They know the details of your hearing loss, and can recommend the hearing aids that will best suit your needs.

Since 1986, Potter’s Hearing Aid Service has been a premier provider of Phonak hearing aids in Waterloo, IA. We’re proud to provide high-quality hearing aid services and supplies to each of our patients. If you’re looking for hearing aids equipped with telecoil technology, consult with one of our highly qualified hearing professionals to learn more about the models that we carry with telecoil technology to determine if one is right for you.