Troubleshooting: General
Deductive reasoning
- T-coil working? try it out with a phone call
- try different couplers
Check with local SHHH group
Notes:
The most obvious item to check is the battery in the receiver and the transmitter. The batteries in most systems are only good for about 3-6 hours, depending on amount of continuous use and how high the volume must be for the listener. Batteries on the hearing aids should be checked, also.
One helpful thing to do when you purchase a system is to purchase them in pairs. In this way, you can switch components of the device that is not working (e.g., microphone, transmitter, receiver, coupler), one at a time, with the one that is working to see where the system breaks down.
Even though the system might be working, the user may have difficulties for a variety of reasons. Make sure that the user has a good telecoil in their hearing aid and that it is working. If the user has never used their telecoil before, check it out with other devices, such as a hearing-aid compatible telephone or other headphones with a radio. If the T-coil does not seem to be working or if you can’t tell, you will need a hearing aid manufacturer’s or audiologist’s help. T-coils can be added to hearing aids, and weak ones can be replaced with stronger ones. They should be considered a necessity when purchasing a hearing aid.
If the system is working and it is just not providing a benefit to the user, you may need to switch from infrared to FM, find out if the telecoil is strong enough for the user, and try out different coupling devices. Maybe the individual needs silhouettes instead of a neckloop to get enough boost out of the system, or needs the sound coming into both ears, not just one. Finally, sometimes changing head position or moving to a different location (even within the same room) is all that is needed.
Ultrasonic sensors designed to detect movement in rooms causes some hearing aid amplifiers to buzz and rapidly depletes the batteries. These sensors, required in some states, are used to control room lighting, heating and cooling. Research has shown that the sensors causing the problems emit signals between 25 to 27 KHz. At 32 KHz, the problem disappears. Manufacturers should be able to install the higher frequency devices (Cederbaum, 1996).
If you have access to a speech and hearing clinic on your campus, or maybe interact regularly with a particular audiologist, pick their brains about ALD technology. Check in with local or national SHHH and ALDA groups. These are consumer organizations that are more than willing to help you help a hearing impaired individual get the most out of assistive technology.
Finally, only purchase equipment from companies that provide service and trouble shooting over the phone! This can save you a lot of headaches!