Hearing Loops

About Hearing Loops

The Hearing Loop is a special type of sound system for use by people with hearing aids. The hearing loop provides a wireless signal that is picked up by hearing instruments or cochlear implants when they are set to the ‘T’ (Telecoil) setting. The telecoil allows the sound to go from the hearing loop directly through the hearing instruments to the listener’s ears. This reduces the surrounding noise and helps the person with the hearing instruments hear more directly and thus more clearly.

How do I know if my hearing aids are compatible?

If your hearing instruments have a “T” or telecoil setting, this is the setting you should use to hear through the hearing loop. If you are not sure, ask your audiologist or hearing instrument specialist if your hearing instruments have a telecoil, and if so, how to access that setting. You may need to visit their office in order for them to program or add the telecoil setting to your hearing instruments.

What if I use a cochlear implant, can I use a hearing loop?

This will depend upon the model of the cochlear implant processor you wear. Ask your audiologist on the cochlear implant team and they can tell you how to access a telecoil setting to hear through the hearing loop.

What if I forgot my hearing aids?

Many facilities provide headphones to listen through their system. Many churches, theaters, and auditoriums are installing hearing loops.

To find out more, go to: www.hearingloop.org or www.loopwisconsin.com

Turning on the telecoil

Many hearing instruments have program buttons that you can push to select the t-coil setting. If you have a button but it does not turn on the telecoil, you may need to ask your audiologist to activate this program or telcoil function in the hearing instruments.