T-coils & Couplers & Mics! Oh My!
Encourage T-coil purchase and usage.
Inform students about the possibility of a Mic/T/Both switch.
Make environmental mics available.
Experiment with different coupling devices.
Notes:
One final word about microphones. Many hearing aids come with a Mic/T switch. The mic setting is for general use and picks up acoustic sound, the T setting is for use with telephones and many assistive listening devices and only picks up electromagnetic signals. Although some newer hearing aids also have a setting for BOTH mic and T, many do not. Thus, switching to T to use a telephone or ALD means switching OFF the microphone on their hearing aids.
Why is this important? Functionally, this means that while the hearing aid is set to T, the individual may not be able to hear a person standing next to them speaking, and they may not be able to hear (and therefore monitor) the volume of their own voices. The hearing aid microphone is NOT picking up acoustic sound when the hearing aid is switched to T. This is very important in interactive classroom settings.
This can be remedied by purchasing ALDs that have an option for an environmental mic. This mic is on the receiver with the student, and picks up sounds around the student--including his or her own voice. These cost a little more, but they are worth it. Otherwise, how will the student be able to spontaneously interact in the classroom? I firmly believe that students should be familiar with these kinds of options and know how to use them. They will be interviewing for jobs soon and needing to instill confidence in their abilities to employers. They won’t be able to do this if they are fiddling with inadequate equipment.
Students may also need to experiment with different couplers. For example, silhouettes may provide a stronger signal than a neckloop. For some students, this may be the difference between loving ALDs and leaving them in a drawer. Set up the users for SUCCESSFUL experiences with ALDs. Otherwise, the equipment you purchased from your dwindling resources will go unused.