|
 HearingExchange Forums
 Special Education
 FM equipment
|
 UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: FM equipment |
|
jenn unregistered |
posted 05-30-2001 03:16 PM
I'm an itinerant teacher for Deaf and HOH students. My students frequently need FM auditory trainers in the classroom. While I am happy about the improvement in my kids' ability to hear their teachers, I'm frustrated by the inability to hear their classmates when wearing the device. If anyone has similar experiences with this, I'd love to hear about them and any suggestions are warmly welcomed. IP: Logged |
|
SDB Member |
posted 05-31-2001 12:22 AM
As a parent of a 2-1/2-year-old HOH son, I am very interested in finding out more about this topic. My son will be transitioning to preschool offered by the local school district in the fall. The preschool is a mainstream, tuition-based school (free for my child because of his "disability") that will also provide special services for him. When I visited the school recently, I learned that they use (and swear by) FM systems in the classroom. I had the same concerns you express, but the teachers indicated that it is more important for the child to hear the teacher, not the other students. I tend to disagree with this. Additionally, because my son wears digital hearing aids, I do not want them removed during the day in order to accommodate the FM systems. In my mind, that defeats the purpose of the expensive equipment my son has become accustomed to. Our audiologist recommended that we demand the Phonak Microlink type, which boot right onto the digital hearing aids. Sorry for the digression, but I would like to solicit more feedback in the area of FM systems, their benefits, etc. IP: Logged |
|
Tanya unregistered |
posted 05-31-2001 09:25 AM
After 8 years of struggling with a working FM system we finally have one that works. We tried four different systems and now have the Phonak CLaro DIgital BTE with boots. Until 6 months ago my son hated the FM because of the inconsistency and scrtchy noise the other systems produced. He now takes the microphone to his teacher (when he forgets) and ask that he turn it on. He finally has a system that works, and he feels it allows him to hear better- so much that he asks people to use it. Avoid the other older systems-- waste of time- Get this new one. Don't have to change aids and the child is in control and can switch settings. IP: Logged |
|
jenn unregistered |
posted 06-01-2001 01:39 PM
hi SDB-thanks for writing back. FM systems can be a wonderful tool to help DHH kids to hear. Hearing aids don't discriminate waht sounds to amplify and what sounds to eliminate. FM systems can. FM systems can amplify the teacher's voice 10 to 15dB above the environmental noise in the classroom. You didn't mention what your son's loss is or the type of FM system the school uses. I know of one school that installed a soundfield classroom amplification system in the class for a hearing impaired child. The child still wore his personal hearing aids, in order to hear classmates, etc. and the teacher's voice was amplified through the microphone. (All the kids in the class benefit from the amplified signal too) If your son has a mild to moderate loss that might work well for him. My advice is be open to all ideas. If the school wants to use a particular style of FM- ask that they write it in the IEP for use on a 30-day trial basis. That way they have to evaluate how it is working after a short period of time. If it is not benefiting your son, then everybody meets and comes up with something else. Most companies of FM systems will let you use their equipment for a 30 or 60 day trial use. So the district does not have to purchase something that might not work. IP: Logged |
|
geirwin Member |
posted 06-02-2001 12:28 PM
Hi Jenn, Williams Communications makes an open ear piece that works with FM systems. I do not know if they make it for children. I know that they make one for adults. This hooks over the ear and the bud is in the center an allows for hearing near by. Another option but I am careful about recommending for use with young children is a system that has a microphone on the receiver which has as 15 to 20 foot range. you can adjust the volume so one picks up more than the other. Problem is that the controls are on the receiver so they are subject to the child tampering with them. ------------------ IP: Logged |
|
mnmsmom unregistered |
posted 06-06-2001 02:28 PM
I would really like to know if anyone has a make and model of a successful portable FM system. I am having an IEP next week and would like to give the DHH Itinerant specifics. This would be used for my daughter when she is unable to wear her hearing aids for various reasons...The system I am looking for is a portable speaker system, not one that is connected to the aids themselves - She does fairly well with her digital hearing aids. She is profound in one ear and mild in the other. We have had 4 months of trying to get her molds correct this year and in turn has caused too many days of being without the assistance of her aids which was very frustrating for both her and the teacher. IP: Logged |
|
jenn Member |
posted 06-06-2001 02:59 PM
hi msmnmom - I know of a couple of companies that have portable sound field systems that you are describing. William's Sound 800/328-6190, Phonic Ear 800/227-0735 and LightSpeed Technologies 800/732-8999. I haven't dealt with LightSpeed before but the other two are very informational and will answer any questions you have. Good luck. IP: Logged |
|
mnmsmom unregistered |
posted 06-06-2001 03:08 PM
Thank you Jenn! I will look into those mentioned. I appreciate your input! IP: Logged |
|
Indianamom unregistered |
posted 06-17-2001 04:36 PM
I am very interested in FM Systems too. I have a 5yr old getting ready to enter Kindergarten in the fall. She will be fitted for one soon and I have many questions. I, too, am concerned about her being able to hear the other children. She is deaf in the right ear and has 50-60% loss in the left. She is aided in the left with a BTE Unitron. It is compatible (I was told) with the type that is wireless. What is best for an active 5yr old??? Any suggestions would be appreciated. IP: Logged |
|
Michelle Member |
posted 06-22-2001 11:29 PM
Hi, My daughter has the portable Lightspeed soundfield system. Their website is: It is really nice, very compact and the sound is very clear. The whole system came to $900. We ordered it with two microphones: one a handheld wireless mic that the other kids can talk into when they are giving presentations at the front of the room, and a lapel mic for the teacher to wear. I recently sat in on a seminar in which the presenter used a lapel mic. I was surprised that the sound from the audio speakers fluctuated as the presenter turned her head. I have heard that the wraparound headset mic keep the microphone at the correct distance from the mouth. So these are some things to think about. About the question on hearing the other kids also. The Phonak hearing aids and Microlink FM system my daughter has allows her to hear both inputs simultaneously...she can hear the teacher's voice on the FM and the other kids' voices around her through the hearing aid microphone. There is a switch on the FM boots that can cut out the hearing aid mic and just receive the FM input. IP: Logged |
|
Indianamom Member |
posted 06-23-2001 12:28 AM
I am checking into the FM Systems..the school will be the one to purchase the system. Luckily they don't pick it out. They send us to Ball State University and the head of the audiology department will recommend what will benefit her the most. It seems to work out better when someone impartial makes a decision when it comes to money.  Thanks!
IP: Logged |
All times are ET (US) | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
Contact Us | HearingExchange | Privacy Statement
Copyright 2000-2002 Taylor Rose,Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Infopop www.infopop.com © 2000
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47d