Frequently Asked Questions

What in the world is a T-coil?

What’s all this talk about “loops”?

Digital Phones – What’s the Big Deal?

How Does a Loop Differ from Bluetooth?

Assistive Listening Devices – Do they replace hearing aids?

Which amplified home phone should I choose?

What about amplified cell phones?

How can I help my hearing aids hear better?

What is TTY/TDD/VCO?

What is your shipping, delivery and returns policy?

Do you keep my personal information private and secure?

What methods of payment do you accept?

What in the world is a T-coil?

T-coils have many names – T-switch, T-coil, audio coil or telephone coil. How does a T-coil work in a hearing aid? It effectively turns the hearing aid into your own personal sound system, allowing it to communicate directly to ALDs/PLDs, FM or infrared systems, telephones and loop systems either automatically or by the flip of a switch. Very simply, T-coils are little coils of copper wire mounted inside your hearing aids, which act personalized, wireless loudspeakers. When used with devices mentioned above, T-coils help block out the frustrating background noise so you only hear what comes through the device you are listening to such as the TV, audio/MP3 player, etc. One technology gaining acceptance throughout the U.S. is the induction loop. An induction loop simply creates a magnetic field which is picked up by the T-coil, allowing T-coil users the ability to hear in church, auditoriums, meeting rooms, etc. with only their T-coil turned on. This technology negates the need for headphones typically provided in these environments and users rave about the quality of the sound.

It is estimated that about 60-70 percent of hearing aids in the U.S. have T-coils. Most of the newer hearing aids are being equipped with T-coils. However, the very small hearing aids that go all the way in the canal do not typically have room for the T-coil, although technology for smaller T-coils is catching up and it is expected that these will one day be able to accommodate T-coils. Certainly demand will play a part in this technology.  Bluetooth technology is being installed in some new hearing aids.  The Bluetooth technology is short range and is great for telephone and TV but still does not offer help in larger venues. Some Bluetooth streamers have a t-coil and will work in the loop.

Many people do not know if their hearing aids have T-coils. Check with your audiologist to make sure they are installed, activated and set for your personal needs. We find that many t-coils are set too low and need to be adjusted to a higher volume, or the orientation of the coil needs to be changed to get the full benefit from the loop.  It is important to have a manual button for the t-coil.  Auto-coils will not be activated by the loop so be sure you ask for a MANUAL T-coil setting. 

What’s all this talk about “loops”?

Hooray for hearing loops! Hearing aid users across the country are chanting, “Get in the Loop!”.  Induction hearing loops are a simple solution to an invisible problem that many hard of hearing people face daily. Very simply, Induction loops consist of a wire looped around a room and plugged in to an amplifier, which is then plugged in to an audio/sound system or TV. Churches and public auditoriums are the perfect environment for loops. There are residential loops available for home TV rooms, which can be wired or used with a seat pad that includes a loop. They plug in to the TV and the hearing aid wearer merely turns on their T-coil. Voila!  No need to turn up the volume and annoy others in the home!  Not to mention that the sound is CLEAR.

Loop systems have been in use in Europe for years and it is rare that a public area does not have a loop system. All hearing aids in Europe are required to have T-coils, which is not the case in the US. Yet.

The cost of a loop in a residential setting can be $200-300. Installation costs are minimal or homeowners can even install the loop themselves. Commercial loop systems involve professional design to make sure any interference is compensated for and that the installation complies with IEC standards.  Typical costs are from $5,000 to $15,000 for most installations, depending on the size and construction of the room. However, venues such as sports arenas, airports and large theaters can run in to six figures. Certainly, having a professional installer is important since a bad installation serves no one.

There are even loop systems available for counter installations such as pharmacies, bank windows, ticket counters, etc., where it is important to hear clearly. A portable loop system may work for some in meetings or restaurants. And the best thing about loop systems? One does not need to advertise that they have a hearing loss by wearing one of the headsets provided in most public venues to hear the speaker through the FM or infrared system.

Assist 2 Hear, LLC is proud to promote the Loop Colorado initiative to install loop systems across Colorado and the nation. Many states have loop initiatives and several states have had very successful grassroots initiatives to loop their state. Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona and New Mexico have been very actively promoting loop installations.

Digital Phones – What’s the Big Deal?

The world is going digital. The advantage of digital phones is threefold. First, digital phones have fewer components so there are fewer parts to fail. Second, digital technology has the ability to sense the environment and adjust the sound accordingly, potentially reducing background noise and improving quality of sound. Third, digital phones use less power and typically last longer than analog phones due to the fewer components, thus they are more “green” than analog phones. Of course, there are variations of digital phones since some are “fully” digital, while some can be analog phones with digital chips.

How Does a Loop Differ from Bluetooth?

Loops and Bluetooth are like apples and oranges.  Both are wireless technologies, but Bluetooth is a short range signal that must be "paired" with a phone or TV and typically requires an intermediate device to interpret the Bluetooth signal and convert it to a signal the hearing aid can accept and transmit. A loop has no range limit - one just needs to be "in the loop" area.  Loops do not require any intermediate devices since the signal is sent directly to the t-coil in the hearing aid. Bluetooth interfaces with phones and TVs but do not work in large venues.  One major drawback of Bluetooth is power consumption, which is another reason an intermediate device, such as a streamer, is necessary.  Most manufacturers agree that Bluetooth is not the wave of the future due to power consumption and a delay in the signal which can have negative effects on overall sound quality.  In an interview with Jenny Groth, M.A., who is Director of Audiology Communication for ReSound, Jenny said "There are no hearing aids today that directly implement Bluetooth.  So, every hearing aid that claims to be able to utilize Bluetooth has some sort of intermediate device that interprets the Bluetooth signal and then changes the information into a wireless technology that the hearing aid can accept and transmit."  So Bluetooth works well with TV and phones using a streamer, remote, etc. while a hearing loop system needs no intermediate device, uses literally no power from the hearing aid and is only limited by the size of the loop.

Assistive Listening Devices – Do they replace hearing aids?

Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs), also known as Personal Listening Devices (PLDs), can be an alternative to hearing aids for those with mild hearing loss or that cannot or will not pay the price for hearing aids. However, ALDs can also enhance the hearing aids by helping them hear better in different environments. Assistive Listening Devices can work with the T-coils in hearing aids to help avoid aggravating background noise. Products for TV, audio (music and MP3s), phones and public places are available with earphones/earbuds and headphones for use without hearing aids or with neck loops for use with T-coils hearing aids.

Which amplified home phone should I choose?

Amplified phones can be corded or cordless. They can have photo buttons for ease of use for children, seniors or those needing assistance with dialing.   Amplified phones are even available with emergency response buttons that are worn around the neck and activated when help is needed, replacing the need for a subscription service while providing safety at home and peace of mind.  Features can include amplification controls, tone controls, flashing ringers, caller ID, an answering machine, big buttons, voice announcement and others. A few phones have adjustable outgoing amplification for those with weak voices. Our grid may help you compare and decide which phone is best for your situation, or you may compare specific phones at your discretion.

What about amplified cell phones?

While there are only a few amplified cell phones available on the market today, cell phone providers must have several models of Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) phones. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated a rating for all cell phones in terms of radio frequency (RF) emissions.  This rating measures and rates the Hearing Aid's immunity to electromagnetic outputs from wireless devices.  These ratings get a little confusing, but include the M rating for the microphone and the T rating for the telecoil or T-coil found in most hearing aids dispensed these days. Cell phone providers are required to provide several phones labeled as hearing aid compatible, with M3 or M4 ratings for microphone use and T3 or T4 ratings for T-coil use. The higher the rating, the less chance of interference when used with hearing aids. So, the ideal cell phone would have an M4/T4 rating.

Most hearing aids have a similar rating for RF interference, which is what a cell phone generates. Hearing aids have a similar M1-M4 and T1-T4 rating, although not mandated. An ideal combination would be hearing aids with an M2/T2 rating and a cell phone with a M4/T4 rating. Ask your audiologist about your hearing aid's rating.

However, even with the ideal ratings, magnetic interference from other sources cannot be ruled out. Bottom line – test any cell phone with your hearing aids to make sure they are acceptable for you.

How can I help my hearing aids hear better?

Hearing loss has been termed the “invisible” disability. While hearing aids greatly improve hearing, they certainly are not a cure for hearing loss, kind of like eyeglasses are not a cure for bad eyesight!  Many are disappointed and frustrated that their hearing aids do not work in all environments. Noisy environments such as auditoriums and restaurants are of particular note. Hearing aids work best when the speaker is 3-6 feet away in a relatively quiet environment. Since the hearing aid microphones are in or on your ears, they pick up all sound and don’t effectively discriminate voices from background noise. Digital hearing aids are constantly improving but still fall short in these environments. Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs), also known as Personal Listening Devices (PLDs) can help the hearing aids hear better in certain environments such as auditoriums, classrooms, meeting rooms, workplaces and restaurants. These devices work by placing the microphone closer to the speaker’s mouth and then transmit the sound directly to your T-coil-equipped hearing aid, which is adjusted for your specific hearing loss, or through headphones or earphones/earbuds for those not wearing hearing aids. These devices can also help keep peace in the family by allowing the TV volume to remain at “normal” levels while amplifying the volume for the individual with TV listening hearing loss, with or without a hearing aid.  Assistive Listening Devices are a cost effective solution to many hearing issues. The ALDs generally work very well for those that don’t mind carrying a little transmitter/receiver. A small price for being able to hear in many environments!

What is TTY/TDD/VCO?

TTY stands for Text Telephone (or Teletypewriter for the Deaf). It is also sometimes called a TDD, but TTY is the more widely used term. TTYs are used by hard of hearing or deaf people to communicate over the phone line by typing text on the keyboard.

VCO (Voice Carry Over) phones are for those who can speak but cannot hear well. Read more…..

What is your shipping, delivery and return policy?

All in-stock items are shipped within 48 - 72 hours after we receive your order. You should receive your order in 7-10 business days from the day your order was submitted.  You will be notified of any back ordered items immediately.   We ship "Best Way" using FedEx, USPS or UPS.  If more than one item is ordered, items may ship from different warehouses in separate packages.  We do not ship internationally except for Canada.

Note:  We cannot ship Sennheiser products to Canada due to dealer availability in Canada.

Expedited Delivery

 If an item is needed quickly, we can usually deliver your order overnight or within 2-3 days.  Items will be sent the “best way”.  In order to guarantee delivery for a requested delivery time, orders must be received by 11:00 AM Mountain Time.  This applies to in-stock items only.  We are happy to discuss other delivery options if you contact us via our Customer Service line at 1-877-338-1084.

You may return an item within 30 days for an exchange or refund.  Please note that some items such as ear plugs or ear buds are not returnable if opened due to Health Department regulations. 

Returns & Exchanges

 You may return an item within 30 days for an exchange or refund.  Please note that some items such as ear plugs or ear buds are not returnable if opened due to Health Department regulations. 

 In order to exchange an item or return it for a refund, you must call our Customer Service line at 1-877-338-1084 for a Return Authorization and instructions, or email us at CustomerService@assist2hear.com .

Our Customer Service Hours are Monday - Friday from 9AM - 4PM (Mountain Time)

Click here for full details of our shipping, delivery and returns policy.

Do you keep my personal information private and secure?

Assist 2 Hear, LLC is very protective of our customer’s information.  We do not sell lists to anyone. Your security and the security of our website is of utmost importance to us.  Your information is encrypted using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) software.   Click here for full details of our privacy and security policy.

What methods of payment do you accept?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and PayPal (online only).  Commercial accounts may be set up as requested.   Orders are accepted over the phone with a credit card.  Please call our Customer Service line at 1-877-338-1084 to order an item or get help with product questions. Click here for full details of our payment policy.