We need both Bluetooth and telecoils in our hearing devices to take advantage of all the hearing situations we encounter so that sound can reach our ears, with clarity.
Hearing When You Can’t Hear
A survey of more than 1,500 respondents with hearing loss found that while many look for and request accommodations, they are often not available—62 percent answered “seldom or never” when asked how often they can find accommodations.
I Got Hearing Aids, Now What?
It is important to continue to check in with your audiologist for routine maintenance on your hearing aids and to monitor your hearing loss. In addition, consider accessories that work with your hearing aid to enhance your hearing aid’s function or improve your listening experience.
Remote Mics + Hearing Aids = a Perfect Pair
Recent advances in remote mic technology have now expanded their functionality. Some can now also pick up sound from a hearing loop via their built-in telecoils and stream it via Bluetooth to hearing aids.
Auracast Is Actually Here and It’s Not Just About Hearing Loss
There’s lots of talk among the hard of hearing about Auracast, the new “broadcast” technology from Bluetooth that promises to revolutionize assistive listening and the functionality of hearing aids. But its application to such devices is just one small part of a much bigger picture.
Think You Need Hearing Aids? Here’s Where to Start
Here’s our guide to what to consider when starting out with hearing aids, from what to expect and what to ask about, to what all those initials mean after a hearing care provider’s name.
Google Maps Adds Hearing Loops Information
Google Maps has recently begun including hearing loops in the accessibility information on its website. A national database of looped venues has been a goal of hearing loop advocates for years and it's finally becoming a reality.
Bluetooth Assistive Listening Gets Closer
Auracast, formerly known as Bluetooth LE Audio Sharing, will allow multiple users to connect to a Bluetooth signal. This will make Bluetooth a competitor with FM, infrared, hearing loop, and WiFi audio assistive listening systems.
Have Loop, Will Travel
Telecoils, or T-coils, are tiny coils of wire in my hearing aids that receive sound from the electromagnetic signal from a hearing loop. A hearing loop, in turn, is a wire that surrounds a defined area and is connected to a sound source.
The Bridge Between Two Worlds
By Vicky Chan
Disability rights attorney Jared Allebest was born with a bilateral profound hearing loss. He was diagnosed at age 1 and fitted for hearing aids a year later. Today, Jared uses both hearing aids and ASL to communicate.
The son of a lawyer, Jared was determined to follow in his father’s footsteps and his hearing loss never deterred him. Throughout his education, he remained inspired by his favorite elementary school teacher, Ms. Marquardt, who taught him one of the most invaluable lessons: Having a hearing loss isn’t a barrier to success. “[Hearing loss] has affected my outlook to fight harder and to push myself to accomplish the things that I want to do in my life,” Jared explains.
After his graduation from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2009, Jared founded a law firm that advocates for people with hearing loss and speaking disabilities. The firm focuses on empowering their clients through education, advocacy, and lobbying. He works with clients with both typical hearing and hearing loss and takes on cases relating to disability rights or discrimination, as well as employment, marriage/divorce, and criminal law.
Jared admits that he faces auditory challenges in his profession. During trials, he has to be exceptionally attentive to all parties. He also receives assistance from an ASL interpreter in the courtroom so he doesn’t miss anything being said.
Despite some difficulty, Jared believes that his hearing loss is an advantage. His clients are more comfortable with him because they know he can empathize with them. People listen carefully when he speaks about issues concerning hearing loss. “By fighting for the rights of those who live with hearing loss, I am advocating for myself as well. I think of myself as the bridge between two worlds,” Jared says.
Jared’s strong reputation as a dedicated lawyer stems from his sincerity and passion for helping others with legal issues that are deeply personal to him. The most rewarding part of his profession is knowing that his clients are satisfied with his commitment.
Jared’s advocacy for the hearing loss community outside goes beyond the courtroom. He is the former chairman of Loop Utah—an advocacy group dedicated to educating people in Utah about the benefits of loop technology. He currently serves as a community representative on the Advisory Council to the Utah Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (USDB Advisory Council).
Of course, Jared knows he can’t be an advocate for all people with hearing loss, as much as he would like to be. He can’t be the connection between the legal world and the hearing loss world for everyone. Jared maintains that the most important part of living with hearing loss is effective self-advocacy. “Being assertive about your needs will help you to hear better, be more productive, and be happier.”
Jared lives and practices law in Utah. He is a participant in HHF’s Faces of Hearing Loss campaign.