Hearing Aids and Cell Phones problems

[Claire Belback]

One thing to consider is that there are hearing aid-compatible cell phones 
and cell phone-compatible hearing aids (digital). I oughta know, I have 
both.
Also, I agree with Joe in saying that turning down the volume on your aid 
does reduce feedback.

Claire Belback, RPT
North Shore IL




----Original Message Follows----
From: "Leslie Bartlett" <l-bartlett at sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: l-bartlett at sbcglobal.net, Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
To: <joegarrett at earthlink.net>, "'Pianotech List'" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Subject: RE: Hearing Aids and Cell Phones problems
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 22:27:10 -0600

Right now I remove hearing aid. I have "open" fittings, behind ear, and they
actually knock out some outside noise- a nice thing when I turn them
completely off. I get to cut out a lot of the world.......  But sure would
like a head phone with amplification.  There should be some tiny amplifier
somewhere that doesn't cost a fortune which could be plugged into the darned
thing.   I'm not in too bad shape yet if people speak into their
microphones, but I know the day is coming when I will need some kind of
amplification........  I miss some small bits of conversations, especially
if I am not facing the person directly so i also get visual feedback.  Had
to do a high level tuning last week without my aids, and did ok, so I'm not
DEEF, but certainly am a tad paranoid, since everything I do (choral music
as well as pianos) depends on hearing.......

I'm guessing you have "in the ear" thingies.....  I'll stay away from those
as long as possible. I really like what I've got at present.  Thought to buy
a back up set because these things are so often in repair shop in this
sweaty climate, and learned quickly why many people learn to hate hearing
aids. So, one will go to shop, and I'll hear with one, in the future when
breakage occurs.
thanks
les

    _____

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Joseph Garrett
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 10:05 PM
To: pianotech
Subject: Hearing Aids and Cell Phones problems




les said: "
Would such a gizmo be available for cell phones for hearing impaired folks?
I tune with hearing aids, and do fairly well by them, but am finding cell
phones becoming a problem for hearing....

les,
The problem is caused by several factors. 1. most/all cell phones are
digital, so the "magnetic pickup" thingee in most hearing aids go bonkers.
2. There is usually a lot of background noise, so you hear all of that as
well, if you don't hit the Magnetic Pickup switch. Most hearing aid wearers
have the false notion that turning the darned things UP will help you to
hear better! The opposite is the case in noisy situations. When I answer my
cell phone, out in the field, I adjust my left aid, (best ear), down so it
just barely doesn't  feed back when I put the phone up to my ear, snuggly.
I've found that that will afford me the best clarity. You'll need to move
the phone around in a circular motion to find the alignment of speaker and
microphone. After a while it'll be a habit. I hope that helps.
Best Regards,

Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
Captain of the Tool Police
Squares R I

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