The Let’s Loop PEI Project – How You Can Access An Area With A Hearing Loop

/ Daria

April 27, 2018.  In two previous blog postings, an introduction to the Let’s Loop PEI project to encourage the installation of hearing loops was discussed.  We explained the concept of a hearing loop, and discussed some common questions regarding this technology.

As one of the objectives of the PEI Chapter of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association is to encourage hearing accessibility in public places, we are very grateful to the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association Foundation (CHHA Foundation) for providing a grant to begin this project on Prince Edward Island.

The subject of this posting is to answer the questions many of you have asked about accessing a looped area:

  • I have hearing loss, but don’t wear a hearing aid or have a cochlear implant.  Can I still access the hearing loop in a place it’s been installed?
  • I don’t know if my hearing aid or cochlear implant has a telecoil activated.
  • I have a cochlear implant or hearing aid without a telecoil.  How do I access the hearing loop in a place it’s been installed?

If you have a telecoil activated in your hearing aid or cochlear implant, you don’t need to do anything further, except to know how to turn it on!  Ask your audiologist for what you need to do. Otherwise, here are some options:

a) If you have a hearing aid that has a telecoil, but it isn’t activated, ask your audiologist for help. An instruction sheet for your audiologist is provided here. (See audiologists info on t-coil connectivity)

b) If you don’t have a telecoil, but you have an iPad or iPhone, you can download the software for free at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/loopbuds/id1111272148?mt=8. Then you simply plug OTOjOY earbuds into your device and you will access the hearing loop. Unfortunately, at present, there is no software for Android devices.

Loop buds for iPhone (2)

c) If you have no telecoil nor an iPad or iPhone, you can purchase a small receiver to access the loop. Then, as with the iPad or iPhone, you plug earbuds or earphones into the receiver to access the hearing loop.

PLR-BP1-Williams-Sound-Loop-System-Body-Pack-Rece

PLR-BP1-Williams-Sound-Loop-System-Body-Pack-Rece

d) If you have no telecoil nor an iPad or iPhone, one type of pocket talker has hearing loop software built into it. If you are a user of a pocket talker, you may want to upgrade to this type of pocket talker as it does double duty.

Pocketalker PKT2B (PKTD2.0) from Williams Sound

Pocketalker PKT2B (PKTD2.0) from Williams Sound

Please remember -the hearing loop system is universal.  Whatever works here on PEI for you, will work anywhere in the world that a hearing loop is installed!

Have you been in a place with a hearing loop?  Please share your experience!  You can email us at hearpei@gmail.com or comment on our blog at https://theauralreport.wordpress.com.  You can also follow us on Twitter: @HearPEI

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© Daria Valkenburg