Based on the radio analogy, how many of these can you answer?
True. Just as you can carry a portable radio around with you and continue to pick up your station, the same is true of FM ALDs. Radio waves obviously transmit through walls and across great distances. Because of this, speakers should be reminded to turn off their microphone/transmitters before they leave the room and/or hold private conversations. A woman I know will take her receiver out in her yard with her so that if her husband wants her (e.g., if she gets a call or if the timer goes off) he can let her know without hunting her down!
True. FM systems can be used inside or outside. The only caveat here is proximity to sources of interference (i.e., other FM transmitters).
True. Each listener must have a receiver. In addition, the receiver must be set to the same channel as the transmitter to pick up the signal. Note: some hearing aids now have an FM boot, meaning that the receiver is actually a part of the hearing aid itself (usually a behind-the-ear style hearing aid).
False. With the appropriate coupling device (e.g., headphones, earbud) attached to the receiver, the hearing impaired user would not necessarily need to be wearing a hearing aid.
True. Like a radio station, the user can tune in various channels. I can be listening to one channel in one room, and someone else can listen to a different channel in the next room. If two systems are being used in close proximity (i.e., in the same building), there should be at least one channel free between the two systems to avoid spillover of the signals.
Possibly…but. Not all systems are compatible-some use a wide bandwidth and some use narrow bandwidth. Also, you would need to know the channel the signal is being transmitted from and be able to set your receiver to that channel.
