Hearing Aid Compatible Bluetooth Headset Use Radio Waves

Today, cell phones are a part of everyday life and a necessity for early all. For those of us with a hearing aid using a cell may have been impossible. Because cell phones use radio waves they are not compatible with hearing aids. If you try to use one, wearing an aid, the unit produces feedback that makes it impossible to carry out a conversation. If you do not suffer from serious hearing loss, you may get by. Simply remove the unit when you want to use a cell phone. If you suffer from severe hearing loss, this is not an option. Manufacturers are always looking for new ways to make hearing aids more compatible with other technology.

You may have heard of ‘Bluetooth‘. The manufacturers have taken advantage of this new technology and designed a system whereby those suffering from hearing loss can use this system with a hearing aid. It allows them to talk on a cellular phone or PDA. What is ‘Bluetooth’? Is it the name of a company? ‘Bluetooth’ is the name given to a wireless system used by various companies. The manufacturers, ’Starkey’, have designed a device called an ‘Ear Level Instrument’ – ELI. It is for use with ‘Bluetooth’ and is in demand. It works with PDA’s and cell phones. The device has a rechargeable battery, is small and does not weigh much at all. It is simple and easy to hook up. Because the ELI is digital, there is virtually no interference and the reception is good. There are drawbacks. They are hard to get hold of and everything has to be ‘Bluetooth’ compatible.

The ELI is worn behind the ear. You also need a ‘Telecoil’; this sends the sounds to the hearing aid. It is the ELI that examines. The battery wears down rather fast. Because they are rechargeable it does keep costs down. The manufacturers are trying to resolve this. To see if your cell phone is ‘Bluetooth’ compatible, look for the logo. It should be on the box. Another place to look is under ’specifications’. It should also have other useful information in the manual. If you want to use an ELI it is very important that your cell phone is ‘Bluetooth’ compatible. Make sure you check it out before you order one.

‘Bluetooth’ has been used for several years with Pac’s, Cell phones and PDA’s. It has a radius of around ten meters and allows devices that have it to exchange information. Lots of people believe this technology will be used more and more in the future. The ELI device is very new. But if ‘Bluetooth’ does become more and more widely used the sets should become widely available. In turn, this will also bring prices down.