Hearing impairment and loud conference - any tips?

[pinkiepoppy]

Hiya

I was at the staff conference today - the first I've been to since I got my hearing aids.

The speaker was a softly spoken man, which is what I struggle most with, and so I turned up my aids to try to hear. Unfortunately this then magnified every chair creak, every cup of saucer etc.

Later I moved closer to the speaker, which was slightly better, but by then I'd got an awful headache.

Anyone got any tips? Where is it best to sit, for future reference? Any clever gadgets that would help amplify just the speaker?

Thank you

Many conference rooms will have a Loop which would allow you to select a setting on your hearing aid which should amplify just the microphone and reduce the noise from elsewhere in the room.

It might be worth asking if that facility is available to enable you to access the conference on an equal basis to your peers.

Thank you - is that the T loop thing? I don't think my hearing aids have that unfortunately.

Yes it is. It seems they're not necessarily adding it as default now which is shame. You should be able to ask the audiologist to add the setting.

Audiologist here. Quite a lot of hearing aids actually aren't loop compatible now.

Do you know what hearing aids you have, make and model? Try to always sit towards the front and in a position where you can easily see the speaker's mouth as that helps significantly.

Thank you both.

They're Unitron D Moxi Fit - which (according to google) allows bluetooth but not loop.

Right, first of all get your Bluetooth sorted out. For example I can now make and receive telephone calls with confidence because my nhs audiologist enabled my Bluetooth. Sound goes straight into my bilateral aids. It’s revolutionised my life.

Secondly, by law your employer is obliged to make provision for your hearing dis-ability. For example, volume control for your work phone etc, hearing loop thingy to hang around your neck at meetings. Ask your HR department for the company policy and for any help they can offer.

Next time get in touch with conference & meeting organiser(s) in advance and ask for a reserved seat near the front. Nobody will mind and it will make things easier for you. Be an advocate for the deaf fraternity. Speak up about your needs.

Finally, my organisation employed a number of deaf/hard of hearing staff. At our conferences they organised a sub title company to interpret what the speakers were saying and type it up onto a big tv screen. For example, the listener was in Bristol, we were miles away, but they were tuned into what was being presented and in subtitle fashion typed that onto a screen which the deaf group sat around. It was great and really helpful and inclusive in big rooms with echoing acoustics.

Im afraid the deaf community have a hidden dis-ablement so do everything you can to help yourself get the best from life. Blow the horn loud to help us all.
It can be exhausting straining to hear. I know what it’s like so take care and get as much rest as you can after conferences or noisy gatherings.

Do you sign? You might need an interpreter.

My hearing aids have the option to blootooth to a microphone which can be worn by the presenter. Check the accessories you can use with yours

@TheSnailAndTheWaaaail why aren't hearing aids having the t loop thing?! I find this really worrying actually. When I've used the t loop thing I think it's amazing and I use it all the time with my headset at work. It connects automatically
Quite worried now

Thank you all. My aids have the Bluetooth and I can take calls or listen to music, but they don't have the t coil necessary to work with the loop, apparently.

Does anyone know if there's an aftermarket accessory that provides the tcoil? Otherwise I might have to look at the microphone pp suggested.

And thank you for all of the tips - I shall sit at the front next time, and I'll contact our disability support network to see what they suggest.

Technology is just moving on from the Telecoil Loop...it's been around for decades. With the popularity of Bluetooth, manufacturers are now more geared to things like Roger and Bluetooth streaming devices instead of the loop system.

Look up the partnerMic and Roger direct devices, these are designed for enhancing speech discrimination in noise and at a distance, and reducing listening effort.