Telecoil Technology and Hearing Aids: Understanding the Connection

For individuals with hearing loss, hearing aids are a great tool to help enhance their hearing and improve their quality of life. Finding an audiologist is a big part of finding the right hearing aid, so it’s well worth scheduling an appointment with an expert if you feel you might be experiencing hearing loss. You’ll get advice and a proper diagnosis, meaning you can make good decisions about the type of hearing aid you might want to wear.

One technological feature that you should consider is the telecoil, which can make your hearing aid work even better. Let’s look at what it is and how it works.

What Is a Telecoil?

A telecoil is a small copper coil that sits in a hearing aid, and it’s a type of magnetic receiver, which means that it converts magnetic signals into sound. The main reason for using a telecoil is to make the listening experience a better one, especially in noisy environments like public spaces or perhaps when you need to use the phone or other listening devices.

The Connection to Hearing Aids

The connection between a telecoil and hearing aids means that your hearing aid’s function is increased – it works better. When it’s activated, the telecoil directly picks up the electromagnetic signals emitted by various audio sources, meaning it effectively bypasses other sounds and gives you a clearer, more focused listening experience.

One of the most common telecoil uses is for communication devices, and when you’re using a phone or other compatible device that has an induction loop or telecoil system, individuals with hearing aids can hear much more clearly. This direct connection to audio sources makes communication easier too.

The Benefits of Telecoil Technology

One thing that using a telecoil can offer is reduced background noise, as the technology allows wearers to effectively filter out background noise, giving you a more comfortable and definitely more focused listening experience. This is fantastic when it comes to crowded spaces like theaters, airports, restaurants or maybe public transport.

You’ll also be able to understand speech better when you’re using a telecoil. That’s because they minimize interference and enhance clarity, so in phone conversations, for example, it’s far easier to follow what’s being said. Telecoils actually make hearing aids much more accessible to more people, especially when you consider that more public spaces are starting to use the loop system – when you start looking, you’ll see signs about it in many areas.

Since telecoil technology relies on magnetic signals rather than amplifying sounds, it can mean you get better battery life for your hearing aids. Although that won’t make you hear better, it is a practical thing to bear in mind, and will always be useful.

When it comes to hearing aids, telecoil technology really can be a huge advantage, giving you access to better hearing in many places and ensuring you don’t have to miss out on anything. If you’re curious to know more, speak to your audiologist for information and advice.