FM Advantages
Very easy to set up and use
Offers great flexibility of movement
Appropriate for mild to profound losses
Receiver can be covered or put in pocket
No fluctuation in strength of signal
Notes:
There are many advantages to using FM systems that make them very popular in classroom and other public settings. They are very portable and easy to set up and use. Both the hearing-impaired individual and the speaker have freedom of movement without interrupting the signal. They can be used indoors or outdoors. They are appropriate for mild to profound losses, and may be the preferred system for profound losses because of their superior acoustic output. However, some FM devices are capable of exceeding 140 dB of output. The Food and Drug Administration has determined that consumers must be warned of potential risk to residual hearing if an auditory amplification device exceeds 132 dB of output (Warick, et al., 1998).
Also, depending o the individual’s comfort level with using ALDs, the FM receiver can be covered or clipped to a waistband like a pager so that it is very inconspicuous. In fact, if it were used with a neckloop as a coupler, others would probably not know it was in use.
Finally, within their range, there is no fluctuation in the strength of the signal.