Improve your mental health by hearing and clearly understanding your world. You might already have these and not know it, but it doubles the functionality of hearing aids!
A wonderful feature available on most hearing aids is called the “telecoil”. It’s also referred to as a “T-switch” or “T-coil”. Hearing aids without T-coils have less utility for hearing assistance.
The image at the right shows a T-coil installed in a hearing aid. It’s a tiny coil of wire around a core that will induce an electric current in the coil when it’s in the presence of an inductive loop (hearing loop).
The T-coil acts as an antenna that “picks up” a magnetic signal generated by an induction loop and lets the user “hear” what is being broadcast. This delivers tailored sound to the hearing aid user.
On telecoil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants, the wearer must “turn on” or “switch to” T-coil mode by moving a small switch to the “T” position, or by changing to a program mode by pressing a button on a phone app, the ear-level device, or on a remote control. Hearing loop programs can vary. Talk to your provider about which one is the best for you. The most common program contains access with a small environmental mic. This allows the user to hear what is being broadcast as well as the person sitting on either side of them.
Do my hearing aids have T-Coils?
Your audiologist or caregiver plays an important role because they are the only ones with this answer. If you have telecoils, they must be activated by your audiologist. They will also teach you how to change modes and which loop program is best for you.
If you don’t know, ask! Audiologists, please click (here).
Get yours activated! T-Coils must be activated by the caregiver or audiologist. Ask for it, it’s your hearing.
