Hearing aids are extremely helpful for most day to day activities, however there are certainly more challenging listening situations that may require additional help. An Assistive Listening Device (ALD) is an instrument that can be used alone or in conjunction with your hearing aids to provide assistance in those rather tough environments.

There are a variety of ALD's available which provide you with the ability to directly connect your hearing aid to cellular telephones, personal FM systems, computers, stereos, television, MP3 players, as well as Loop Induction systems.  You would need to speak with your Hearing Healthcare Professional to choose the device that is best suited for your listening needs.

Your Widex hearing aids can be coupled to an ALD either through use of the telecoil (T-coil) or Direct Audio Input (DAI).

The telecoil is a feature in your aid that detects a magnetic induction field. Through the telecoil, the hearing aid picks up the inductive, magnetic field generated by a specific device (neckloop or loop induction field) and transmits the information through the hearing aid and then into the ear.

Direct Audio Input (DAI) consists of a "boot" that attaches to your behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. A device plugs into the "boot" which in turn delivers the sound directly to your hearing aid(s). Most Widex BTE hearing aids (with the exception of the m-series and Passion series) are compatible with both T-coil and DAI. Most custom hearing aids --in-the-canal (ITC), half shell and full shell-- have a telecoil.

Please refer to the individual sections for more information about specific ALD's and your hearing aids.

Personal Listening
There are several types of personal listening systems available. All have the same purpose, to carry sound from a sound source (speaker, television, etc) directly to the listener. This minimizes extraneous environmental noise, which often poses a problem for a person wearing hearing aids.

FM
An FM System is an Assistive Listening Device (ALD) that is used in conjunction with your hearing aid to improve the ability to listen in noisy situations. It uses frequency modulated (FM) radio waves to transmit sound from a person using a transmitter microphone directly to your hearing aids via a receiver. FM systems are available in wireless or wired options.

Connecting to an FM system is dependent on what type of hearing aid you have. Your hearing aid can be connected either by telecoil or by Direct Audio Input (DAI).

ITE Hearing Aids and FM Systems
An in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid uses the telecoil to link to the FM receiver.

BTE Hearing Aids and FMSystems
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids use either the telecoil or a Direct Audio Input (DAI) boot to connect to FM receiver to the hearing aid.
There are many different types of FM systems on the market.
Please consult your hearing care professional to determine what FM system is best for you.

Direct Audio Input or DAI
Direct Audio Input or DAI is a method in which a direct connection is made to your behind-the-ear hearing aid(s) through a cord. You can connect to a variety of personal listening devices, such as: television, stereo, radio, MP3 player, auditory trainer or a microphone directly with your hearing aids. The cord is connected to from the selected device to your aids via an audio input boot.

Telephones
Hearing aids and cell phones have become increasingly compatible with one another. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has recommended that all cell phone manufacturers rate each of their products on hearing aid compatibility. A list of Widex's products and their rating of compatibility with cellular telephones is available for your reference.
See the following for a few ways to directly connect your hearing aids to your cellular phone.

Neckloop:
A neckloop is an accessory that is worn around the neck and connected to your phone by a wire. The neckloop converts the received signal received from your phone into electromagnetic waves. The electromagnetic waves emanate from the loop, which are detected by the hearing aid through the telecoil. A few cell phone manufacturers have special neckloops specifically designed for use with their phones and hearing aids.

T-Link:
The T-Link works in conjunction with the telecoil on your hearing aid to allow use with any cellular phone equipped with a 2.5 mm audio input jack.

Bluetooth Capable:
The advancement of Bluetooth technology has given hearing aid users a wireless means to directly connect their hearing aids to cell phones. A Bluetooth interface for your hearing aid and a Bluetooth compatible cellular telephone are required.

There are many more devices available that allow you to talk freely on your cellular telephone with your hearing aids. Please consult your Hearing Healthcare Professional to find out what options are available prior to purchasing your cellular phone.

Please be aware that there are many different types of cellular telephones and devices. If there is some uncertainty if a particular phone or device is compatible with one another, or how they will operate with your hearing aid(s), you may want to arrange to test all products out prior to purchasing any/all items.

Personal Entertainment

Music Listening
With the evolution of personal listening devices, enjoying music with hearing aids is becoming increasingly popular. There are adapters available that allow easy connection with your music device (e.g. MP3 players, computer, and laptop).

Music link
Music Link allows you to listen to music using the telecoil on your hearing aid. This can be either used with either a custom (canal, half-shell or full shell) or BTE (behind-the-ear) hearing aid that is equipped with a telecoil.

Hearing aids and cell phones have become increasingly compatible with one another. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has recommended that all cell phone manufacturers rate each of their products on hearing aid compatibility. A list of Widex's products and their rating of compatibility with cellular telephones is available for your reference.

See the following for a few ways to directly connect your hearing aids to your cellular phone.

Direct Audio Input or DAI
Many of Widex's BTE  hearing aids come equipped for direct audio input, or DAI (Passion, Fusion, and  Micro models are not DAI compatible). An audio input shoe is attached to the  bottom of the hearing aid. A specially designed cord (with a 3-prong Euro-plug  on one end and a 1/8  " mini-plug on the other) is plugged into the boot and  connected with your music device. Most devices have a 1/8" (3.5 mm) audio  input jack as standard. If your device has a different audio input jack an  adapter is needed.

Public Listening

Loop Systems
People with hearing loss can benefit from a loop system in difficult listening environments that is, in situations where background noise makes it difficult to distinguish speech.

Typically, a loop system is set up as shown.  A room is completely wired around the perimeter. The loop system receives the sound from a source (microphone, television) and transmits the signal through the wired perimeter through magnetic induction. Hearing aids equipped with a telecoil are able to receive the signal solely by activating the telecoil.

Microphone picks up the desired sound source and the information is transmitted through the wired perimeter (house of worship or a lecture hall). As long as the patient has their T-coil on their hearing aids engaged, they will be able to hear the desired speaker if they are located anywhere in the looped room.

Facilities where a Loop System is often equipped:

• Lecture Hall
• Theatres
• Houses of worship

A loop system can also be installed at home to make it easier to listen to the TV and radio.

If you see this sign in a facility, it is equipped with a loop induction system. Simply switch your hearing aid to activate the T-coil and enjoy!

Television
Most televisions today have the opportunity to connect directly with your hearing aids. A television with an audio input jack is required. To interface with the TV you can either use Loop Induction, an FM system or with a cord using DAI boots.

Loop Induction
A transmitter that is connected directly to the television through an audio input jack transmits a signal, either to a personal worn neckloop, or a wire that is around the perimeter of the room. The T-coil on your hearing aids picks up the electro-magnetic signal.

Cords with DAI input
A cord is able to be connected from the audio input jack on the television, directly to your hearing aids through an audio input boot. This allows for direct transmission of the television's signal to your hearing aids.

FM System
The transmitter, or microphone, portion of the FM system can be placed next to the speaker of the television. This allows the signal from the TV to be transmitted to the FM receiver to your hearing aids with minimal interference from the surrounding environment. Certain FM systems also allow for a direct connection with the transmitter to the TV through an audio input jack.

Stethoscopes
For hearing impaired persons who need to use a stethoscope there are many opportunities available. Hearing aid style often determines the direction of the stethoscope selection.

Custom Products and Stethoscopes
There are options for stethoscope use with custom hearing aid wearers, however they are limited. Adapters are available that allow a stethoscope to be directly coupled to a CIC or canal hearing aid while in your ear.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Products and Stethoscopes
A BTE hearing aid can be utilized with a specially-designed stethoscope through either direct audio input (DAI) or the use of the telecoil.

• A DAI interface would require an audio input boot and a cord. The audio input boot slides securely onto the bottom of the hearing aid. A cord couples the stethoscope to the audio input boot on the hearing aid which delivers the sound directly to the hearing aid.
•  Certain stethoscope manufacturers have the option to connect to a stethoscope through the use of the telecoil on the hearing aid. This is achieved through a silhouette earpiece that is placed behind the ear which plugs into the stethoscope. This silhouette generates an electro-magnetic signal that is picked up by the telecoil, which in turn is then amplified and transmitted through the aid into your ear.

Please consult your Hearing Healthcare Professional to determine what stethoscope is appropriate for your style of hearing aid and configuration of hearing loss.