Resources Available to Families

FM Systems

This type of assistive technology is like a tiny radio that carries it's own frequency. This device is pretty simple, having only two parts. On one end there is a microphone, this is what the speaker wears. On the listeners end is a receiver. This receiver sits on the ears or connected to hearing aids, that way the speakers voice go directly to the listener's ears.

An FM system can be used almost anywhere. Primarily it is scene in classrooms between teachers and a student. Restaurants, museums, meetings, nursing homes, and other areas where there is a large build up of background noise can be used as an example.

This picture is an example of a FM system that would go over the listener's ears.

This type of assistive devices uses light waves to send sounds across a room. It turns sound into light and sends the signal to the receiver. Here the receiver turns the light waves back into sound. The receiver can be worn in the hearing aid or worn alone. These are mainly seen in homes with the TV and theaters.

Loop wires go under carpet or in the ceiling and connects to a microphone. An electrical current moves through the wire as a speaker projects sound into the microphone. Because of this, the room has an electromagnetic field. This is where the user would have to change their hearing aid to the telephone setting. The hearing aid picks up the signal so the listener can hear the speaker. These are seen in places that bring in large groups.