As another confirming moment in my life, next week I will be fitted
for hearing aids.

I have already read articles that suggest that hearing aids and cell
phones do not get along very well together. The so-called telecoil
which is imbedded into the molding of the ear piece (one ear only)
acts as a receptor for picking up audio from a conventional
telephone...... but apparentely it can also pick up the RF from a
cell phone generally resulting in a buzzing sound. The FCC has
mandated that the manufacturers of cell phones must make available
hearing aid compatible cell phones, but they have a couple more years
to get that done. In the mean time, the apparent solution with respect
to cell phones is to use a headset.

So.. if that telecoil can pick up RF from a cell phone, what is the
potential for it picking up RF from my own HF transmissions
here...(probably not all bands, but... )????

I suspect there are some older hams out there with hearing aids, who
have the answers to these questions "right on top"

Bill, W6WLB

Bill Brannick wrote:
As another confirming moment in my life, next week I will be fitted
for hearing aids.

I have already read articles that suggest that hearing aids and cell
phones do not get along very well together. The so-called telecoil
which is imbedded into the molding of the ear piece (one ear only)
acts as a receptor for picking up audio from a conventional
telephone...... but apparentely it can also pick up the RF from a
cell phone generally resulting in a buzzing sound. The FCC has
mandated that the manufacturers of cell phones must make available
hearing aid compatible cell phones, but they have a couple more years
to get that done. In the mean time, the apparent solution with respect
to cell phones is to use a headset.

So.. if that telecoil can pick up RF from a cell phone, what is the
potential for it picking up RF from my own HF transmissions
here...(probably not all bands, but... )????

I suspect there are some older hams out there with hearing aids, who
have the answers to these questions "right on top"

My wife is deaf in the 200-2000 Hz band in both ears -- can't hear a
tornado siren, doorbell, phone ring, etc. Comes from playing viola in
a symphony orchestra for 15 years, just in front of the brass. But I
digress.

Her cell phone, a Nokia, has a place to plug a headset -- or an
inductive loop to drive the T-coil in her hearing aids. That works
_Very_ _Well_ _Indeed_ for her. The loop she uses also is Nokia,
though other vendors (deVilbiss, for instance) make them.

Hers just goes around her neck, plugs into the phone's headset jack,
and has a switch that she can press to end a conversation. Takes 3
hearing aid batteries if I remember correctly. Cost under $100.

But there _is_ some possibility of RF interference. I suspect it's not
much. I'm _sure_ the impedance of the T-coil in the aid is high enough
that it would be hard to couple much RF into it, but I've been wrong
before. Coupling audio in is a different matter, of course.

--
Censorship sucks^H^H^H^H^H is for your own good.

Bill Brannick wrote:
As another confirming moment in my life, next week I will be fitted
for hearing aids.

I have already read articles that suggest that hearing aids and cell
phones do not get along very well together. The so-called telecoil
which is imbedded into the molding of the ear piece (one ear only)
acts as a receptor for picking up audio from a conventional
telephone...... but apparentely it can also pick up the RF from a
cell phone generally resulting in a buzzing sound. The FCC has
mandated that the manufacturers of cell phones must make available
hearing aid compatible cell phones, but they have a couple more years
to get that done. In the mean time, the apparent solution with respect
to cell phones is to use a headset.

So.. if that telecoil can pick up RF from a cell phone, what is the
potential for it picking up RF from my own HF transmissions
here...(probably not all bands, but... )????

I suspect there are some older hams out there with hearing aids, who
have the answers to these questions "right on top"

My wife is deaf in the 200-2000 Hz band in both ears -- can't hear a
tornado siren, doorbell, phone ring, etc. Comes from playing viola in
a symphony orchestra for 15 years, just in front of the brass. But I
digress.

Her cell phone, a Nokia, has a place to plug a headset -- or an
inductive loop to drive the T-coil in her hearing aids. That works
_Very_ _Well_ _Indeed_ for her. The loop she uses also is Nokia,
though other vendors (deVilbiss, for instance) make them.

Hers just goes around her neck, plugs into the phone's headset jack,
and has a switch that she can press to end a conversation. Takes 3
hearing aid batteries if I remember correctly. Cost under $100.

But there _is_ some possibility of RF interference. I suspect it's not
much. I'm _sure_ the impedance of the T-coil in the aid is high enough
that it would be hard to couple much RF into it, but I've been wrong
before. Coupling audio in is a different matter, of course.

--
Censorship sucks^H^H^H^H^H is for your own good.

Bill Brannick wrote:

...
So.. if that telecoil can pick up RF from a cell phone, what is the
potential for it picking up RF from my own HF transmissions
here...(probably not all bands, but... )????
...

The telecoil doesn't really pick up RF from the phone. Digital phones
cycle on and off in the audio range (teens of kHz) and it's the hash from
the switching that the coils pick up. They're optimized for a fairly
narrow freq range to match the passband of telephones. The old analog
phones didn't have that problem (at least I never noticed it) on the same
freqs and usually with migher power than the digital phones. I've never
noticed any problems with RF in the HA's but the telecoils are sensitive
to other fields, esp. from computer monitors or any other audio freq
emitter (TV's, transformers, flourescent lights, some of those anti-theft
thingies they have in stores that you have to walk thru, etc.).). I
suppose if you worked really, really LF (20kHz) you might have some
issues but even then only when the coils are switched in (they're not
active all the time...you have to switch them on). Actually, the cell
phone I have now (Motorola) works fine without the telecoil, it's just
kinda touchy where you have it positioned...you gotta get the phone
speaker lined up with the mic on the HA. Also, Moto and Nokia make loop
adapters that you wear around your neck and plug into the phone and
couple with the telecoil...they work pretty well and get the phone away
from the HA and make it kind of hands-free (I suppose they'd work with a
radio if you wired up a little adapter...hmmm.....).

Be patient with your new HA's...you'll be overwhelmed with sound for a
while...stuff you haven't heard for a long time. It takes a while to re-
adjust. The world is a lot noisier place than you remember :-) It'll
take a few visits to the audiologist to get them set up so be prepared to
work with him/her. And if you're getting digitals, look into the noise
reduction capabilities...it'll make the bands a little quieter...

Good luck...

73... Mark AA7TA

Bill Brannick wrote:

...
So.. if that telecoil can pick up RF from a cell phone, what is the
potential for it picking up RF from my own HF transmissions
here...(probably not all bands, but... )????
...

The telecoil doesn't really pick up RF from the phone. Digital phones
cycle on and off in the audio range (teens of kHz) and it's the hash from
the switching that the coils pick up. They're optimized for a fairly
narrow freq range to match the passband of telephones. The old analog
phones didn't have that problem (at least I never noticed it) on the same
freqs and usually with migher power than the digital phones. I've never
noticed any problems with RF in the HA's but the telecoils are sensitive
to other fields, esp. from computer monitors or any other audio freq
emitter (TV's, transformers, flourescent lights, some of those anti-theft
thingies they have in stores that you have to walk thru, etc.).). I
suppose if you worked really, really LF (20kHz) you might have some
issues but even then only when the coils are switched in (they're not
active all the time...you have to switch them on). Actually, the cell
phone I have now (Motorola) works fine without the telecoil, it's just
kinda touchy where you have it positioned...you gotta get the phone
speaker lined up with the mic on the HA. Also, Moto and Nokia make loop
adapters that you wear around your neck and plug into the phone and
couple with the telecoil...they work pretty well and get the phone away
from the HA and make it kind of hands-free (I suppose they'd work with a
radio if you wired up a little adapter...hmmm.....).

Be patient with your new HA's...you'll be overwhelmed with sound for a
while...stuff you haven't heard for a long time. It takes a while to re-
adjust. The world is a lot noisier place than you remember :-) It'll
take a few visits to the audiologist to get them set up so be prepared to
work with him/her. And if you're getting digitals, look into the noise
reduction capabilities...it'll make the bands a little quieter...

Good luck...

73... Mark AA7TA

If you are looking to use cordless phones with inductive hearing aid pickup,
900 mhz cordless phones will work ok...the 1.2 or higher ghz will not do so
well for you. I have been wearing hearing aids since I was little and the
best bet for me is a cordless phone..in speakerphone mode..with the speaker
built into the handset.

"Bill Brannick" wrote in message
...
As another confirming moment in my life, next week I will be fitted
for hearing aids.

I have already read articles that suggest that hearing aids and cell
phones do not get along very well together. The so-called telecoil
which is imbedded into the molding of the ear piece (one ear only)
acts as a receptor for picking up audio from a conventional
telephone...... but apparentely it can also pick up the RF from a
cell phone generally resulting in a buzzing sound. The FCC has
mandated that the manufacturers of cell phones must make available
hearing aid compatible cell phones, but they have a couple more years
to get that done. In the mean time, the apparent solution with respect
to cell phones is to use a headset.

So.. if that telecoil can pick up RF from a cell phone, what is the
potential for it picking up RF from my own HF transmissions
here...(probably not all bands, but... )????

I suspect there are some older hams out there with hearing aids, who
have the answers to these questions "right on top"

Bill, W6WLB

If you are looking to use cordless phones with inductive hearing aid pickup,
900 mhz cordless phones will work ok...the 1.2 or higher ghz will not do so
well for you. I have been wearing hearing aids since I was little and the
best bet for me is a cordless phone..in speakerphone mode..with the speaker
built into the handset.

"Bill Brannick" wrote in message
...
As another confirming moment in my life, next week I will be fitted
for hearing aids.

I have already read articles that suggest that hearing aids and cell
phones do not get along very well together. The so-called telecoil
which is imbedded into the molding of the ear piece (one ear only)
acts as a receptor for picking up audio from a conventional
telephone...... but apparentely it can also pick up the RF from a
cell phone generally resulting in a buzzing sound. The FCC has
mandated that the manufacturers of cell phones must make available
hearing aid compatible cell phones, but they have a couple more years
to get that done. In the mean time, the apparent solution with respect
to cell phones is to use a headset.

So.. if that telecoil can pick up RF from a cell phone, what is the
potential for it picking up RF from my own HF transmissions
here...(probably not all bands, but... )????

I suspect there are some older hams out there with hearing aids, who
have the answers to these questions "right on top"

Bill, W6WLB

Have had my HA (digital) for a couple of years now and have never had a
problem with cell phones. Also no problems with computer monitors,
fluorescent lights or anything else for that matter. The telecoil works
great with my cell phone, Nokia. In fact the older the phone the worse the
performance. Some older desk and wall phones are so bad it is better if I
take the hearing aid out and while using the phone.

I picked up one of the loop adapters from the audiologist and it is just
about the neatest thing since sliced bread. Just plug it into the headset
jack on the radio and you have the greatest set of headphones you have ever
owned. You can adjust the volume on each separately and no one else can hear
a thing. Also use an extension cable and can work on the computer while
listening to the radio so that I don't miss anything. With the loop I do
sometimes pick up stray noise, never have tried to sort out what it is.
Could be lights, RF, any number of things but just not worth messing with,
it is just not that bad.

I can say that my HA really gave me back ham radio. Was really getting tough
to make out callsigns, etc. Had to continually crank up the volume when
using headsets, etc. I have so much more fun on the radio since I got them I
can't imagine not having them.


--
K7SAM
Transmitting from Navajo, MT
Center of the Known Universe

Have had my HA (digital) for a couple of years now and have never had a
problem with cell phones. Also no problems with computer monitors,
fluorescent lights or anything else for that matter. The telecoil works
great with my cell phone, Nokia. In fact the older the phone the worse the
performance. Some older desk and wall phones are so bad it is better if I
take the hearing aid out and while using the phone.

I picked up one of the loop adapters from the audiologist and it is just
about the neatest thing since sliced bread. Just plug it into the headset
jack on the radio and you have the greatest set of headphones you have ever
owned. You can adjust the volume on each separately and no one else can hear
a thing. Also use an extension cable and can work on the computer while
listening to the radio so that I don't miss anything. With the loop I do
sometimes pick up stray noise, never have tried to sort out what it is.
Could be lights, RF, any number of things but just not worth messing with,
it is just not that bad.

I can say that my HA really gave me back ham radio. Was really getting tough
to make out callsigns, etc. Had to continually crank up the volume when
using headsets, etc. I have so much more fun on the radio since I got them I
can't imagine not having them.


--
K7SAM
Transmitting from Navajo, MT
Center of the Known Universe

On Sat, 17 Apr 2004 02:55:43 GMT, "Z.Z." wrote:

Bill Brannick wrote:

...
So.. if that telecoil can pick up RF from a cell phone, what is the
potential for it picking up RF from my own HF transmissions
here...(probably not all bands, but... )????
...

The telecoil doesn't really pick up RF from the phone. Digital phones
cycle on and off in the audio range (teens of kHz) and it's the hash from
the switching that the coils pick up. They're optimized for a fairly
narrow freq range to match the passband of telephones. The old analog
phones didn't have that problem (at least I never noticed it) on the same
freqs and usually with migher power than the digital phones. I've never
noticed any problems with RF in the HA's but the telecoils are sensitive
to other fields, esp. from computer monitors or any other audio freq
emitter (TV's, transformers, flourescent lights, some of those anti-theft
thingies they have in stores that you have to walk thru, etc.).). I
suppose if you worked really, really LF (20kHz) you might have some
issues but even then only when the coils are switched in (they're not
active all the time...you have to switch them on). Actually, the cell
phone I have now (Motorola) works fine without the telecoil, it's just
kinda touchy where you have it positioned...you gotta get the phone
speaker lined up with the mic on the HA. Also, Moto and Nokia make loop
adapters that you wear around your neck and plug into the phone and
couple with the telecoil...they work pretty well and get the phone away
from the HA and make it kind of hands-free (I suppose they'd work with a
radio if you wired up a little adapter...hmmm.....).

Be patient with your new HA's...you'll be overwhelmed with sound for a
while...stuff you haven't heard for a long time. It takes a while to re-
adjust. The world is a lot noisier place than you remember :-) It'll
take a few visits to the audiologist to get them set up so be prepared to
work with him/her. And if you're getting digitals, look into the noise
reduction capabilities...it'll make the bands a little quieter...

Good luck...

73... Mark AA7TA

The noise generation from the power supply is more of an issue with
GSM and TDMA technologies. The GSM/TDMA handset transmits 217 bursts
of data per second, so the switching power supply has to ramp up for
the transmitter 217 times a second. The 217 Hz noise is more
noticeable when the handset is located far from the cell tower and the
transmitter is pumping out maximum power. CDMA does not pulse the
transmitter and, therefore, should not have the buzzing problem.

Regards,
Ed Bailen - N5KZW