Neck loops: personal hearing loops for hearing aid users
My own personal hearing loop cost no more than a reasonable dinner out, and I am totally delighted with it!
If you are unfamiliar with regular loop systems, how they work and their benefits, please read the highlighted link before reading further here. This is because personal hearing loops, also known as neck loops and also written as neckloops, are an adaptation of regular loop systems.
Appearance of neck loops
The picture shows a typical neck loop.
A personal hearing loop, also called a neck loop.
The obvious difference between a neck loop and a normal loop system is that the loop is short so that it can hang round the users' neck like a pendant. The loop is flexible and plastic-covered so that it sits comfortably round the neck.
There is a lead with a jack on the end so that the loop can be plugged into an electronic device. The lead will reach easily to a tablet or phone, but will need an extension for a television.
The picture is of a basic system. More sophisticated systems have volume controls and various other controls to enhance quality. My system is basic and I can increase the volume where necessary, either with my hearing aids which of course have to be set to the T setting, or by hanging the loop over my ears rather than my neck
I would suggest that you start with a basic neck loop such as this because its cost makes it effectively a throw away item. You can move upmarket later if you feel it necessary.
Benefits of neck loops for hearing aid users
The first benefit is that the quality of the sound is so much better than where the sound is transmitted through vibrations in the air. The reason why loop systems give such clarity is explained on the page about loop systems.
A benefit that I particularly value is the ability to listen to television or radio without disturbing anyone else in the room who is computing or reading or even sitting relaxing. You could rightly say that you could do this with headphones. However, hearing aid users find headphones uncomfortable because of the pressure on their hearing aids. I have tried headphones over my hearing aids on various occasions and found that they muffle sound where the padding presses on the hearing aid speakers.
In many ways, neck loops for hearing aid users are like headphones for people with normal hearing, but they have the added advantage that they are lighter and have no leads from the head.
Disclaimer: The information on this site is for a lay audience and I cannot be responsible for errors or omissions. The views, strategies, advice and suggestions etc are based on my personal experience and are not necessarily appropriate for anyone else. They should, hopefully, stimulate individuals to develop their own strategies.