After many years of using induction loops I decided – on the advice of a few friends – to go for direct input headphones so I could listen to music to my level of pleasure, so I spent some cash and bought a pair of shoes for the aids I had, Oticon Zests.
After many attempts, I couldn’t get the things to work, so I made an appointment at the audiologists and explained my frustrations. After a few minutes of twiddling, I was told that the model of aids I had didn’t have the capability for direct input.
So with a whinge and a look of lost hope I was offered an upgrade and got new aids (Oticon Zest Plus).
So far, I am very pleased with the features – they communicate with each other via FM – and NOW I can use the direct input shoes!
I admit they cost a lot, but for the pleasure of enjoying music, they were well worth it. Also with this technology, if I choose to can access the telephone and television too…but it entails further cost. Which doesn’t make sense to me.
So here’s an open letter to those who manufacture our lugware..
Dear makers of hearing aids,
We know that technology is advancing all the time, and the innovation with aids is moving forward along with progress.
Maybe the possibility of us deafies listening to music is a mere afterthought. As its a well known fact that deafies don’t listen to music, isn’t it? Or so you might think…
We also watch TV, and some of us use the telephone, too.
With wisdom and thought, wouldn’t it be right that when you issue hearing aids, you should find the box contains all of the attachments required?
Yours sincerely,
Stephen
If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy Stephen’s previous article for us: Do you get ‘itchy lug’ syndrome?
Stephen Lloyd (aka @sirgarg) lives in Cheshire and works as a support worker with Adults with Learning disabilities, part time deaf philosopher and deaf “jedi” tweeter.
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Sam
September 24, 2013
I couldn’t agree more!! If we can have great technology like iPads and stuff then surely we can do better with hearing aid technology!!
Andy. Not him, me.
September 24, 2013
The benefits of direct connection have long been known. The sound is clearer and crisper and not subject to the distortion of the room, the characteristics of the microphone (hardly Hi-Fi) are eliminated and in the case of digital signals what you get is exactly what went into the music in the first place. I agree with Stephen that it is surprising that this advantage is not exploited more.
Many years ago when hearing aids had a separate earpiece and earmould it was possible to directly connect to an amplifier with a special earpiece. There were systems in schools where all the desks were wired together, each one had a socket and volume/tone control and there was a powerful amplifier mounted under the teacher’s desk. It was possible to plug radio and record decks into this so that we could do music lessons. Using a system like this I have seen quite profoundly deaf people having an absolute ball listening to music.
I have a CI which I am currently experimening with, listening to music of all kinds, catching up with my misspent youth. I get by far the best results from a direct connection. I found this out by trial and error.
By default Cochlear Industries CI kits come with a small attache case full of plug-in gadgets for the Nucleus 5. It has telecoil and loop built in as standard and there is a direct access socket at the back. Lift a little flap with your fingernail, plug in. It automatically changes channels and you can then fiddle with the sound controls via the handset. It’s great piece of kit and I think hearing aid wearers would absolutely love it.
Having said that, I had a bit of a shock a while ago. Connevans sell a vast range of direct shoes, connectors, adapors and all the rest. It is well worth having a browse through theor online catalogue. I was doing exactly that when I came across a page full of connecting leads for CI’s. I was astonished to find that a new connection lead for a CI costs £54. Yep it’s fifty four quid for a piece of wire and two plugs. Such as can be got from a Hi-Fi shop for a fiver, except that the plug at the CI end is patented.
I wrote to Connevans about this, it’s a lot of money for such minor components. It turns out that they are not too happy either because they actually have to pay a very high price for these components themselves. By the sound of it they ship them all the way from Australia. Connevans were quite nice about it and said they would like to know the economics of that themselves but in the meantime they are not in a position to argue!
Liz
September 24, 2013
I agree with the costs of the wires, they are very expensive and I think we are being ripped off in this area. So it is nice to learn more about that from you when you enquired about it Andy. I know many in my family who have knew about costs on some things like this, have said we are being took advantage off. But what can we do when we need it.
I am surprised that some manufactures have not thought about this, and took the opportunity for a box of gear with the hearing aids like some CI companies do.
LJ.
September 24, 2013
…and this is the problem isn’t it? at the end of the day its not neccessarily the ‘deaf’ problem as so much as the ‘cash’ problem!
Andy… I too have a ci (medel opus 2) and I use the direct input audio shoes, both for the ci and my siemens Impact DSP hearing aid.The hearing aid greatly compliments my ci with the low frequency natural sounds and with the ci being more tuned to speech higher frequencies I am able to get a reasonably good stereo effect. I think that the direct input shoes are on their way out because of advances in wireless technology . Already there is the very good FM and bluetooth capabilities, it is just a matter of waiting for the prices to come crashing down. If the hearing aid manufactureres marketing strategies were better they could still make good profits if they sell more for cheaper
gargly
September 24, 2013
..When I’ve discussed the cost of these attachments a few have quite openly said that, “DLA they receive contributes to any equipment they may require” and I sort of agree with the statement, but its still expensive. There will be those who are not aware of the technology, like myself at the time of my first digital issue, making do with neckloops etc.
As far as i am aware those with CI are given some support and assistance with any possible attachments and yet some have to pay?
WiFi technology is ahead of us,like L.J mentions but its a waiting game..
Thank you for the comments ;-D
Wendy
September 24, 2013
I deal with a lot of aged patients in my job and so frustrated at the minuscule buttons used to access the various programmes if installed at all by the audiologist! Bring back the switches I say and allow us the freedom to use volume control! Silly idea to use the battery door to switch off, the batteries always roll out and get lost! Daft daft daft!!!!