Improved Speech Understanding with an External Microphone or Personal Speech Amplifier

Even with modern hearing aids, many people can still find it challenging to understand speech clearly. Hearing aids do an important job of amplifying sound, but more amplification does not necessarily mean better speech perception and understanding.

In some situations, increasing amplification can actually have the opposite effect – sound may become more distorted, making it harder to follow what is being said or understand the intended message.

It rarely helps to shout at a person with hearing loss. On the contrary, this can make the situation more uncomfortable and even more difficult to understand.

In these situations, an external microphone or personal speech amplifier can be a great help. The microphone is placed close to the person speaking, and their voice is transmitted wirelessly directly to the hearing aids. This makes the speaker’s voice clearer and more focused while reducing the impact of background noise. The result is often significantly improved speech understanding.

These solutions can be particularly useful in many situations:

· One-to-one conversations · Family gatherings or dinners · Meetings and educational settings · Outdoor activities · Situations with significant background noise

The goal is simple: to make it easier to participate in conversations and remain an active part of everyday life.

Different solutions from different manufacturers

Most hearing aid manufacturers offer their own microphones or personal speech amplifiers, designed to work optimally with their hearing aids. In many cases, these devices can be applied for through NAV, or purchased privately if preferred.

Here are some of the most commonly used solutions:

· Phonak: Roger On, Roger Table Mic · Hansaton: Roger On, Roger Table Mic · Signia: StreamLine Mic · GN ReSound: Multi Mic · Starkey: Remote Mic+ · Widex: Sound Assist · Bernafon: SoundClip-A · Oticon: ConnectClip

A Universal Solution: Roger On

One solution that stands out is Roger On from Phonak. With Phonak or Hansaton hearing aids, Roger On can transmit sound directly to the hearing aids without the need for additional equipment.

For hearing aids from other manufacturers, the same microphone can be used together with a Roger NeckLoop. The sound is then received through the telecoil in the hearing aids, provided that the hearing aids have telecoil functionality and that this feature has been activated by an audiologist.

The Roger system can also be connected to a number of larger public audio systems and sound systems around the country. Read more about the Roger On solution here

The Future: Auracast

An exciting development is the new Bluetooth standard Auracast. Several manufacturers are at the forefront of this technology and have already introduced compatible hearing aids and assistive listening accessories.

Auracast makes it possible to broadcast audio directly to compatible hearing aids and headphones – somewhat like a wireless audio network. Over time, this could become a modern alternative to traditional hearing loop systems.

The technology also enables direct audio streaming from devices such as:

· TV· Radio· PC· Mobile phones· Other compatible devices

Not sure what’s right for you?

Choosing the right accessory depends on both your hearing aids and the situations in which you would like to hear better. In many cases, a small microphone can make a big difference in everyday life.

Feel free to contact us at AudioPlus if you would like advice on which solutions may be best suited to your needs. You can also call us on: +47 990 99 779

We’ll be happy to help you find effective solutions for an easier and clearer hearing aid experience in everyday life.

Kind regards, Everyone at AudioPlus